The Green Forest tribune., 1915-09-24
CHAPTER Xi.
The Castle of the Terror.

The Castle of the Terror. The big Finn rowed me down the swollen river.
 After nearly a mile, the stream again opened out into a broad lake where, in the distance, 1 saw rising sheer and high from the water, a long square building of three stories, with tall round tower at one corner-an old medieval castle it seemed to be. From one of the small windows of the tower, as we came into view of it, light was shining upon the water, and my guide seeing it, grunted in satis- faction. It had undoubtedly been placed there as signal. After waiting five minutes or so, he pulled straight across the lake to the high, dark tower that descended into the water. The place was as grim and silent as any had ever seen, an impregnable strong hold of the days before siege guns were invented, the fortress of some feudal prince or count who had prob ably held the surrounding country in thraldom. A small wooden ledge and half dozen steps led up to low arched door, which opened noiselessly, and the dark figure of a woman stood peering forth
 My guide uttered some reassuring word in Finnish in a low half-whisper, and then slowly pushed the boat along to the ledge, saying:
 Your high nobility may disembark. mere is at present no danger" rose, gripped a big rusty chain to steady myself, and climbed into the narrow doorway in the ponderous wall, Where l found myself in the darkness beside the female who had apparently been expecting our arrival and watch Ing our signal.
 without word she led me through snort passage, and then, striking match, lit a big old-fashioned lantern. AS the light fell upon her recognized .nat she was a member of some re- hsious order. The thin ascetic coun- tenance was that of a woman of strong character, and her funereal naolt seemed much too large for her s'uhted, shrunken figure.
 The sister speaks French?" I haz- aiuea ln that language, knowing that Ill most convents throughout Europe French is known.
 oui' m s1eur. But are you not afraid " venture here? No strangers are permitted here, you know. If your nesehce was discovered you would AO' ieaVe this place alive-so I warn sou' By admitting you I am betraying a.s trust and that I should not have tune were it not compulsory"
 compulsory! How?"
 The order of the chief of police. him." >.O - W 'A oiA0 'o the fellow Boranski had really nep' faith with me, and at his order .le closed door of the convent had been opened.
 , o1 course not" I answered. Rus 1iaa ofheialdom is all-powerful in Fin lady?" "neie ID 'ne E, iou are still prepared to risk your nOerty and life?" she asked in hoarse 'Olee full of grim meaning.
 a,, dm' said. Lead me to her." ,-, iou are on Russian soil now, ta 1 ',euf, not English" she remarked ,o.. nef broken English. "If your ob- .s.' were known, you would never be ahu u to return to your own land mr Sne sighed, you do not know the arfle sS'efles and terrors of Finland I sns m French subject, born in Tours, sf.a s brought to Helsingfors when I was sn' .'en' l have been in Finland forty but years Once we were happy here, Oh.- 'inee the czar appointed Baron sh" Thuerg to be governor general" and Sn;.L. Lo.hrugged her shoulders without "nning "n her sentence.
 Fi,, baron Oberg-governor general of
 %land!' ua I gasped.
 s.;s certainly. Did you not know?" she fona dropping into French. Tt is mo. years now that he has held su- tboa power to crush and Russify cons. @ poor Films. An, m 'sieur! this pno1 once so prosperous, is blot aro |, the face of Europe His methods os he worst and most interruptions s., s' employed by Russia. Before he
 e nere he was the best hated man