The Spectator., 1915-07-23

SCnuSSelDurg or F1nlanQ-tne pldCe OI Imprisonment for those who have con- spired against the state." "The prison of political conspirators. eh?"
 Alas. m'sieur, yes! The place in which some of the poor creatures are tortured in order to obtain confessions and information with as much cruelty as in the black days of the Inquisition. These walls are thick, and their cries are not heard from the oubliettes be- low the lake"
 had long ago heard of the horrors of Schusselburg. Indeed who has not heard of them who has travelled in Russia? The very mention of the modern bastile on Lake Ladoga, where no prisoner has ever been known to come forth alive, is sufficient to cause any Russian to turn pale. And 1 was in the Schusselburg of Finland! turned over the sheet of paper and wrote the question: Did Baron Oberg send you here?" In response, she printed the words: "I believe so. l was arrested in Hell singfors. Tell Lydia where am." Do you know Muriel Leithcourt?" inquired by the same means, where upon she replied that they were at school together.
 Did you see me on board the Lola ?" l wrote.
 Yes. But could not warn you, al though I had overheard their inten- tions. They took me ashore when you had gone to Siena. After three days found myself deaf and dumb was made so."
 Who did it?"
 "A doctor, l suppose. People who said they were my friends put me un- der chloroform." I turned to the woman in the re- ligious habit, and cried: "A shameful mutilaton has been committed upon this poor defenseless grill And will make it my duty to discover Ar6 pun ish the perpetrators of it.
 "Ah, m'sieur. Do not act rashly, pray of you," the woman said serious ly, placing her hand upon my arm. "Recollect you are in Finland-where the Baron Oberg is all-powerful"
 T do not fear the Baron Oberg," l exclaimed. If necessary. l will ap- peal to the czar himself. Mademoiselle is kept here for the reason that she is in possession of some secret. She must be released-I will take the responsi. bility"
 But you must not try to release her from here. It would mean death to you both. The Castle of Kajana tells no secrets of those who die within its walls. or of those cast headlong into it's waters and forgotten" Again 1 turned to Elma, who stoed
 in anxious wonder of the subject of our conversation, and had suddenly taken the old nuns hand and kissed 1t affectionately, perhaps in order to show me that she trusted her.
 Then upon the paper l wrote: 'Is the Baron Oberg your uncle?"
 She shook her head in the negative showing that the dreaded governor general of Finland had only acted a part towards her in which she had been compelled to concur.
 Who is Philip Hornby?" inquired. writing rapidly.
 My friend-at least, believe so." Friend! And l had all along be- lieved him to be an adventurer and an enemy!
 Why did you go to Leghorn?" asked.
 plot to kill you, only I managed to thwart them," were the words she printed with much labor. Then l owe my life to you," wrote. And in return will do my ut most to rescue you from here, if you do not fear to place yourself in my hands"
 And to this she replied: "l shall be thankful, for l cannot bear this awful place longer. l believe they must tor ture the women here. They will tor ture me some day. Do your best to get me out of here and l will tell you everything. But," she wrote, "I fear you can never secure my release. l am confined here on a life sentence"
 But you are English. and if you have had no trial can complain to our | mbassador."
 No, l am a Russian subject was born in Russia. and went to England when l was girl" That altered the case entirely. As a subject of the czar in her own country she was amenable to that disgraceful blot upon civilization that allows person to be consigned to prison at the will of high official, without trial or without being afforded any opportunity of appeal. therefore at once saw difficulty.
 Yet she promised to tell me the truth if could but secure her release!
 Could l allow this refined defense