The Idaho Springs siftings-news. (Idaho Springs, Colo.) 1905-19??, 1916-02-04
CHAPTER XII.
The Castle Of the Terror.


The big Finn rowed me down the
swollen river
After nearly a mile. the stream
again opened out into broad lake
where, In the distance, l saw rising
sheer and high from the water. long
square building OF three stories. with
g tall round tower at one corner-an
old medieval castle 1t seemed to be.
From ore OF the small windows OF the
tower as we came into view of II, q
light was shining upon the water. and
my guide seeing 1t, srunted In salts
faction. II had undoubtedly been
placed there as signal After waiting
five minutes or SO. he pulled straight
across the lake to the high. dark towe-
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 a 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 low half-whisper.
and then slowly pushed the boat along
to the ledge, saying:
Your high nobility may disembark.
There is at present no danger"
steady myself and climbed into the
narrow doorway in the ponderous wall.
where ! 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
a short passage. and then, striking a
match, lit big old-fashioned lantern.
AS the light fell upon her recognized
that she was a member OF some re-
hgious order The thin ascetic coun.
tenance was that of a woman Of
strong character and her funereai
habit seemed much too large for her
stunted, shrunken figure.
The sister speaks French?" | haz-
arded In that language. knowing that
In most converts throughout Europe
French is known
Oui, m sieur. But are you not afraid
to venture here? No strangers are
permitted here, you know. IL YOUR
presence was discovered you would
not leave this place alive-so | warn
you. BY admitting you | am betraying
my trust. and that should not have
done were 1t not compulsory"
Compulsory! How"
The order Of the chief of noIico
Even here. we cannot afford to offend
him"
So the fellow Boranski had really
kept faith with me, and at his order
the closed door of the convent had
been opened.
"Of course not" l answered. Rms.
sian ofiicialdom Is all-powerfuI in Fin.
land nowadays. But where Ia the
LADY,"
you are still prepared to risk your
liberty and life!" she asked in hoarse
voice. full Of grim meaning.
Il am" l said. Lead me to her"
You are on Russian soil now
m'sieur not English" she remarked
In her broken English. IF your OBJ.
ject were known. you would never be
spared to return to your own land
All" she sighed, you do not know the
mysteries and terrors OF Finland.
am French subject. born in Tours
and brought to Helsingfors when was
fifteen. l have been in Finland forty
five years. Once we were happy here
but since the car appointed Baron
Oberg to be governor general" and
she shrugged her shoulders without
finishing her sentence.
Baron Oberg-governor general OF
Finland" ! gasped
Certainly. Did you not know" she
said. dropping into French. ut is
four years now that he has held SUI
preme power to crush and Russify
these poor Firms. All, msieur! this
country, once SO prosperous. is a blot
upon the face OF Europe. His methods
are the worst and most INSCRIPTIONS
u any employed by Russia. Before he
ea1e Aere b was the best hated man