The Glenwood post., 1924-12-25

denly And where does this money
come from?"
my name IL Dombey," Gerald re-
piled. II have admitted to Madame
Francks that / am an Englishman.
This money has been collected in
London by friends and relatives of the
young man. The desire for his release
has not the slightest political signifi-
cance"
"And what the devil excuse can
make for letting him gof'
II should put one Of your less i'm.
portant prisoners into his cell and say
nothing about It," Gerald suggested.
.There ia an inspector of state
PRISONS" Krossneys muttered. He
does not often come, but who knows
when he might take 1t into his head to
pay us a visitT'
1.-THE last time he was here" Elisa
Francks reminded him, "you met him
at the station and took him to the
hotel Afterward, you brought him
on here and he was so drunk that he
had to stay for two days. He did not
even go near the fortress. Your pa
pers and books were brought down
here for him to sign"
ut is true" Krossneys assented,
''yet next time another man might
come. And again, how will this num-
Der twenty-nine get safely out Of Rus
sia7"
Think less of these difficulties and
more of what one could do with ten
thousand pounds" the woman insisted
"You are not asked, Ivan, to run a
risk for nothing. I say that 1t is
worth It,"
"For you, yes" Krossneys sneered.
because you risk nothing and you have
the spending of the money. For me 1t
is different. I have an official posi-
tion. l am governor of the fortress !;
l wear the uniform of the Russian re-
public"
Elsa Francks laughed loudly and
scornfully. She pointed jeeringly at
Krossneys.
uniform of the Russian republic !"
she exclaimed. "a pity they didn't
make 1t to fit you! Official position.
indeed What do you get out of 1t,
should like to know? Would you not
starve If it were not for the contribu-
tions of the prisoners themselves"
"It is true" Krossneys assented
gloomily. ut is dogs life''
"And dogs country to live 1t in!"
the woman proclaimed. Listen to me,
Ivan"
She sat upon the arm of his chair
and talked to him in Russian. Soon
1t was evident that he was yielding.
She fetched him beer and then spirits
Of some sort from cupboard. Once
or twice she turned and winked
stealthily at Gerald. At last she
turned towards him in triumph.
ut Is arranged" she announced.
mot so fast" Krossneys intervened.
Let us hear how this money is to be
paid?'
"In cash. Gerald replied. II have
drafts upon your own banks"
''Well. WELL" Krossneys muttered,
"the money is right enough, then. At
ten o'clock tomorrow morning." he
went on, "present yourself at the
fortress. Inquire for me. I shall give
SOu I'LL duuleuCe. lue dudlT may De
concluded at once. Get back to your
hotel now and be careful not to speak
of your real business"
Gerald rose blithely to his feet. The
idea Of leaving the horrible atmosphere
of that room was undiluted Joy to him.
He bowed to the governor. Elsa took
him to the door and, under pretext of
calling the servant, passed out with
him into the passage.
"You can come back later II you
like to talk with me again." she whis-
pered. BE careful, though. for he is
very jealous"
She shouted something to the Rus
sian maid and stepped back into the
room with a meaning smile. Gerald
put money into the hand of the woman
who opened the postern gate and
stepped into the street with a gasp Of
relief. The clear air was wonderful.
He drew in great gulps of 1t as he
made his way along the uneven pave
ments, stared at by every passer-by.
He could scarcely believe that his task
was coming so easily to an end. If
all went well. In twenty-four hours
he might be on his way back to Eng.
land.
4.