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ISSUED TWICE A WEEK--WBIDKrE8DAY AKT3D SATURDAY. l. m. GRIST & SONS, Publishers. ! % Limiti) lletrspaper: 4or promotion of the fOolitat, Social, gjrieutturat, anit Commercial Interests of the South. {TERMmso$le"oApv!F4i LiM.ANCE' VOL. 43 YORKVILLE, S. C., WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 15, 1897. NO. 74. ??????? , " " ~ j EXILED T( BY WILLIAM ML Copyright, 18OT, by the Woolfall Publishing C< Synopsis of Pkvioijs Installments. In order that new readers of Thk Knquirkk may begin with the following installment of this story, and understand it just the same as though they had read it all from the-beginning, wo here give a synopsis of that portion of it which has already been published: Phaptkk I.?Vladimir Saradotf, a Rus sian being heir to the fortune of his nephew, Maurice Hammond, an American, in case of his nephew's death, conspires to have him sent to Russia in order to get him in his power. II.?Hammond and his friend Philip Danvers arrive at St. Petersburg, and Saradoff lays plans to have t hem arrested as conspirators against the government. Ill and IV.?Hammond at a review saves the life of Colonel Jaroslav. Proceeding to Moscow, they are arrested and sent to Siberia. On the way the l?oat on which they travel catches fire, and they, with two other convicts, escape in a skiff. V, VI and VII.? Hammond and Danvers pursue their wav with the two other prisoners, who attack an approaching wagon. Hammond and Danvers defend an officer in the wagon. A troop of Cossacks appears and recaptures all the prisoners. The officer tells the Americans that they will probably be shot, hub in view of their services to him ho will do all he cat) for thein. VIII, IX and X.?They are sentenced to be shot. The sentence is commuted to imprisonment at Kara, but a riot in which they are involved results in their being put to work in the mines of Kara. XI, XII, XIII and XIV.?At the mines Captain Damman attempts to kiss Lora Melikotf and Hammond knocks him down. Daroman orders him to be shot. Lora saves him and Daroman discovers that she is the daughter of Colonel Melikofi. Lora furnishes Hammond with tools and a plan of escape. XV, XVI, XVII and XVIII.Hamniond, Danvers and Platotf escape 1 -1" ?O" rivop 1\?P1L mm nuiK uini ?oj up u.v v. v reaching a cave to which Lora lias directed them. XIX.?They start on their journey to the Pacific coast. CHAPTER XX. A GOOD SAMARITAN. As a more effective safeguard Platoff led the boys deeper into the forest, and they plodded on for some miles before stopping even to eat Refreshed by a hearty meal, they then traveled until nearly evening and camped in a sheltered hollow Of course a fire was necessary not only for warmth, but to keep off prowling-wolves. Tho night was divided into watches, each taking his turn at guard duty and feeding the fire. For half a week more they journeyed -on without incident, and then a spell of wet weather set in, which continued several days and made traveling impossible. But it soon grew cold again, and a crust formed on what little snow remained. This good weather lasted for two weeks, and the fugitives took advantage of it to travel rapidly and steadily. They subsisted mainly on the venison, but the bill of fare was varied occasionally by a rabbit or a pheasant which Platoff succeeded in knocking over. At times during their march the Amur was in sight, and the telegraph poles that follow the post road could be dimly made out But for the most part they kept well back in the ftiiJ3 aua nan ine tare good fortuue to avoid meeting any one, though signs of human beings were frequently encountered. The boys endured their sufferings and hardships with a stoicism that excited Platoff's admiration, and their health remained good As the first of April drew near they began to hope for milder weather, but as yet no change was visible. It remained cold, with occasional snowstorms of brief duration. One evening, after a weary march of 20 miles or more, they discovered a deserted cabin on the banks of a mountain stream. The wall was fitted with bunks, and in the closet was fonnd a hard loaf of bread?a welcome discovery, for food had been very scarce during tho past week. Soaked in water, this mado a palatable meal, and the last crumb was devoured with a relish. "We can keep warm without a fire tonight," said Platoff. "I am afraid we are near habitations." "How far have wo come," usked Manrice, "and how far do you suppose it is to Vladivostok?" "That is a difficult question to answer," replied Platoff. "We have been traveling in such n zigzag course that the journey has been necessarily lengthened. I have tried to keep a mental record, though, and 1 can give you a fair idea of what we have done. We have been on the road nearly seven weeks, and I think we have averaged nearly 100 miles a week. Taking off 100, which is a good allowance for our deviations, we have marched 000 miles down the Amur and are only 400 miles from tho ocean. Bear in mind, though, that our most daugcrous journey is ahead, and that we may have to make still greater circuits." "Then we are at least half way?" said Maurice. 11 r\iir -innvnnr i a nvnp '' rD. plied Plutoff. "Heaven grant us equal prosperity during the remainder." The boys were agreeably surprised to hear this. The whole distance covered seemed to them very largo. They did not think of the long marches patiently endured through nearly every day of these seven weeks. "In the morning," resumed Plutoff, "we will go down this stream toward the river. Our rubles must now be turned to somo account. Foot? we must have. If we continue eating this bull raw flesh, we will be ill." That was a long to be remembered night. The cabin was snugly sheltered by the hills, and all enjoyed a restful, unbroken sleep until morning, dispensing entirely with guard duty. They were off at daybreak, after a hasty breakfast, and traveled rapidly down the stream through a thickly wooded ) SIBERIA. RRAY GRAYDON. and rock strewu ravine. Tt was at least four miles to the river, but a little moro than au hour's march brought them iu sight of its frozen surface. The hollow was thickly wooded with piue and spruce, uud under its welcome cover the fugiu. s felt little fear. "Ah, there is the post road, "said Platoff, aud ho pointed through a break in tho trees to a couple of tall telegraph poles. They crept to its very edge, and the boys looked with curiosity at the smooth highway scarred with recent sled tracks. A solid bridge of logs was built across the stream, and not 20 yards off, down a slight incline, was the Amur. Not a habitation was in eight, only a burren stretch of ice and snow and wooded hills. Below the road faded into the dim distance, but up stream n sharp curve cut off the view. Platoff stood as though iu deep thought, scanning tho wintry laudscape, aud the boys hesitated to disturb his reverie. Suddenly from round the curve above was heard a sharp jingling of bells, faint at first, but rapidly growing louder. PJatoff excitedly pushed the boys back into a dense spruce thicket that bordered the road. "Keep low and don't make a sound," he whispered. From their retreat it was possible to see the curve iu the road, and on this all fixed their eyes expectantly. The jingle of the bells came nearer and near er, ringing out as though the horses were running at full speed, and now above their clatter was beard a voice raised to its highest pitch. "Something is wrong," whispered Platoff, and as the words left his lips a huge sled burst round the curve at full speed. It was a clumsy vehicle, with a ! L a y%st> d few strokes browjlit Plato]) to the half mivonsclous man. leather hood over the rear end, drawn by a troika, a team of three horses harnessed abreast. The one inmate, a bearded man, mulHed to his nose in furs, was tugging fiercely at the lines with an expression of terror on his face. These details the boys noticed at one Creeping glance. "The horses are running away," exclaimed Platoff, and that instant the frightened brutes, unable to round the bend at their terrific speed, plunged down the slope, dragging the heavy sledge behind thorn. The mouth of the stream, with its fringe of treacherous Ice, was just at hand, but they dashed madly forward, and with a mighty crash horses, sledge and driver went through into the dark waters. Platolf turned to his companions. "Stay here," he said. "I must save that man." And bounding across the road he run down the slope to the river. The truo nobility of this deed did not occur ut once to the boys At any moment other sledges or troops of soldiers might pass along the road, and, us for the man struggling in the water, he was very likely a Russian official who would put pursuers on their track and drag them back to a living death at the Thov rn:ilivi>d tllH dilllL?Or. of course, and felt momentarily angry ut Platoff for imperiling at one move their dearly purchased freedom. Then more generous mpulses came to the front, and breakiug out of their hiding place they ran down the bank, catching up with Platoff at the very water's edge. He looked at them with an approving glance instead of the rebuke they had expected. "Be ready when I need you,"be said, and plunging instantly into the water ho swam toward the driver of tho sledgo, who was clinging to tho fore end, uttering feeble appeals for help. The ico had broken for some yards around, and the swift current was dragging horses and sledge toward the lower rim, which was firm and solid. A few strokes brought Platoff to the half unconscious man's side, and, tearing him loose, he. took him by tho collar aud swam back toward tin* shore. Tho distance was slight, but both uicn woro burdened with heavy clothes. I'latoff's treuieudous strength prevailed, howev1 er, and he gained the bank in safety with his burden. "Hub his hands and face," he shout[ ed to the boy*. "Keep him moving." And darting off again In- reached the ; lower edge of tho ice just as the current ' swept the horses to the spot. Grasping tho nearest, one by the bridle, he turn[ ed his head toward shore, and by dint 1 of shouting and hard pulling urged tho whole team forward until they could touch bottom. The rest of the task was easy, aud soon the sledge was standing on firm ground none the worse appari ontly for the accident. 1 Tho boys meanwhile were trotting the rescued man up and down, ife was u shivering so intensely from bis oold o bath that all attempts to speak were v vain. When he saw the sledge safely s on shore, he tottered up to it and drew f from one comer a big flask of vodka, u He took a hearty gulp and considerate- c ly passed it to Platoff, who was now ii shivering in his tnm. 1 The fiery fluid put-warmth into their bodies at once, and the stranger burst s <? "rnfnan rWlnrntinn of thanks. I fi "Never mind," said Platoff, "it was c nothing. I conld not have done less, r Build a fire quick, "he added to the boys, "a big, large one, some distance r up the ravine." v It required but a few moments to ex- o ecute this order, and the welcome blaze h was soon sending out a grateful warmth. The stranger brought from his sledge a s dozen fur robes, and, discarding their a wet garments, he and Platoff wrapped c themselves snugly in these. The horses a were standing quietly by the roadside, looking very forlorn in their dripping d condition. f "The brutes were soared a mile back k at a cowardly wolf that crossed the tJ road," said the stranger. "Had you o not come to the rescuo I should now be o at the bottom of the Amur. I fully ap- tJ preciate your kindness, much more than you think possible." And he glanced si keenly at the fugitives. p "I told you it was uothing," answer- tJ ed PlatofF coldly. "By chance we heard \ **" *? nowA fa fV?o vncnno Wa qi J'UUI l/AICO UUU VHUIO (IV Vtiu ?? W Qj are far hunters, and we live a few miles 1< np this stream. " si The stronger made no reply, but kept si his keen gaze fixed on the party. He was vi a fine looking man, heavily built and a light bearded, while his manner of ti speech proved him to be intelligent ri Platoff endured this scrutiny with secret o uneasiness, glancing from time to timo ii toward the road and anxiously feeling p his wet clothes, which were drying n over the fire. p "I beg your pardon," he said deliberately, "but the horses must be driven b hard if you would avoid any ill effects of their cold plunge. The ice is form- d iug on them already. I would advise s] you to I080 no time in starting for the next posting station." si "What will you do?" asked the w stranger quietly. ti Platoff'8 face flushed, and in visible y embarrassment he attempted to frame a n reply. r< Maurice, who was watching him e) olosely, saw his eyes flash and antici- p HtAnhln *' puiuu UUUU4?1 "Hold ou," said the stranger. "Keep a cool. I have something to say. My I name is Nicolas Ponssin, and I am a g merchant of Vladivostok. I have been p to Irkutsk on business and am on my b way home. Two friends accompanied b me as far as Tolnar, a town 50 miles ss behind. In their haste they left their p: passports in my possession, and I hare yi them now. Beyond Tolnar I met many c< Cossacks, and I was informed that three 'politicals' who escaped some w time ago from Kura had been seen in le the vicinity, and the soldiers were on tl their track." He paused and looked his hearers fall in the fac& I Platoff, with a livid countenance, w leaned over and drew Maurice's revolv- ai er from his belt He cocked it and laid a! it on his knee. "Now, what next?" he said. "Go on with your 6tory." si "Well," resumed Nicolas Poussin, ii without the least show of fear, "one c< good turn deserves another. My sledge ti is roomy, and my horses are strong. If h you have any desire to journey toward w the Pacific. 1 will take you with me for T some distance. The extra passports that g I have will serve for two of you. The e: third can be hidden in the bed of the f( sledge. I prefer that you should give o] me no information. I don't want to know who you are, you understand?" n "liod bless you," exciaimea riaton, w embracing the worthy man's hand. * "Forgive my suspicious. But you are B' assuming a risk?a terrible risk." tl "Never mind about that," replied h Poussin. "All I usk is caution. Of b course I dare not tuke you clear to ii Vladivostok. That is understood. But let us waste no more time. Our clothes b are dry, and we can start." w The boys could barely realize at first tJ the full measure of their good fortune, b A moment before the tidings that the o Cossacks were on their truck had filled b their hearts with despair. Now a merci- i) ful haud was stretched out to save them. Platoff's heroism hud brought a its own reward. It was impossible to doubt Nicolas n Poussin's sincerity. His frank, open tl face, his honest, gray eyes, were truth itself. p Quickly the dry clothes were donned, e, tho fire was smothered with wet snow, b and they climbed into the big sledge. Under its front seat was an empty e space just big enough for Phil, and he t< was snugly tucked in place with rugs, a "Wear these," said Nicolas Poussin, handing Platoff a pair of green goggles and Maurico a huge fur cap and tippet. t] "Sit there." And ho motioned to the h rear seat under tho leather hood. tl "Remember," ho added, "yournames P are now Louis Miroff and Serge Lyapin. Don't forget." a Ho climbed np in front and seized n tho lines. Tlio horses dashed away on a gallop, jingling their bells, and tho sledgo scraped merrily over the frozen f crust?toward tho Pacific. t CHAPTER XXI. t A MIDNIGHT ALARM. h They traveled 40 miles that day, reaching at sunset a waysido post sta- p tion, a ono story log building. Close by u wero a couple of houses and a telegraph office. Tho starosta, or station mastor, e provided a warm supper and a bod in. a ono corner of the room. Tho sledge fi was hauled into tho yard, and under half a dozen big furs Phil passed a fair- J ly comfortable night. In tho morning a Russian officer demanded tho passports. I They were returned without comment, v and ten minutes later tho sledge, drawn a by a fresh troika, was speeding to the c eastward. r Thus for a whole week they rode on s across Siberia, each hour drawing nearer to safety. Nicolas Poussiu spoke but 1 little. Ho preserved a gravo and silent demeanor and drove his horses with an a msparii. g hand. Spring was not lar d ff, and he was anxious to reach Vladi- b ostok before the inild weather made si leighing impossible. Smuggled up in b: ors, Platoff and Maurice sat far buck g nder the leather hood, while Phil, t( ramped and uncomfortable, remained a bis narrow place of concealment. t( 'hey passed many travelers on the road p -Tartars,merchants, peasants and occa- ci ionally Cossack soldiers or Russian of- a cers?but no unpleasant incidents oc- b urred. Nicolas Poussin'spassports car- f( ied them through all dangerous places. Sometimes they slept in the same a oom at night with soldiers or dined si nth them at the eume table. On such tl ccasions Nicolus Poussin conversed for ii imself and his companions. b Pbil bad tbe hardest time of all, y< leeping at nightin tbe station yards a: nd eating sncb food as his companions d onld smuggle out'to him, but be bore tJ 11 without complaint. Day by day traveling became more b ifficult, and it was well that Nicolas <s 'oussin was able to procure fresh troi- tl as each morning, for when night came si be horses were often completely worn " ut from dragging tbe heavy sledgo b ver bare places in tbe road and through L be slushy snow. ' e< On the seventh evening, just as the o an was going down redly over the tl ine crowned hills to the westward, bey reached a small Siberian village, 8' rastak by name,'and drove into the ii pacious yard of the station. Sleepy ft Doking peasants in gay costumes were banding about in the street, and a few fi sldiers were visible. The station house ?as larger thgu many of its kind, and n t Nicolas Poussiu's request the staros- E i gave the travelers a small private b Dom, and presently brought in dishes F f bread, meat and oheese and a steamag samovar. In the middle of the re- n ast a Russian officer entered, and with lany apologies requested their pass- a: orts. He glanced them over briefly and " owed his way out to As the door closed Nicolas Po'ussin p rew a small map from his pocket and o: pread it out on the table. y "I will show you where we are," he y lid abruptly. "You remember that 'e left the Amup some days ago and f< lrned up the bed pf tbe Ussuri. Here, ci on see, is the Amur running to the b ortheast, while the Dssuri flows di- b jctly north. Consequently we are trav i 1 ji iii * Ling eoutn. we nave reacnea mjib k oint," designating a spot on the map, n and now Vladivostok is bat 200 miles p way. 1 have brought yon farther than o: hoped to do. Yon see it will be danerous to continue the nse of these pass- si orts, for the men whose names yon ear are known to many of the officials p etween here and the Pacific. For your n ifety and mine we most part. I will tJ rovide yon with sufficient food, and if on are cautions you will roaoh the P last in safety." d "Yea, yon are right," said Platoff 'ith emotion. "Tomorrow we will v save you. Better that we should take o: le risks of recapture than"? "Stop," said Poussiu. "You forget, wish to hear nothing. I don't know ho you are, understand, or where you re going. You saved my life. That is 111 choose to remember." ^ A commotion was suddenly heard outde, and he turned to the window. The . iterest depicted on his face drew his ^ impanions to the spot Out in the sta- ^ on yard a Cossack surrounded by an ^ iquieitive crowd was nailing a big bite placard to one of the gateposts, he distance was too great to distin- ^ uish its contents. Maurice and Platoff (changed significant glances, but be )re they oould speak the starosta flung pen the door and entered. 8 "A courier has arrived with procla- ^ mtions," he said breathlessly. "It B sems that the escaped convicts who rere seen near Tcluar have eluded purait and cannot be found. Of course 8 aey have not reached this neighbor- ? ood yet, but the government wishes to 1 0 on tho safe side, and so they are post- 1 ag notices from station to station." "Ah," said Ponssin coolly, "we 1 ave heard something of that on our 8 ray. And sn they have slipped off from ^ be soldiers, have they? Woll, they will ! e caught sooner or later. Have you ne of the placards with you? It would e wise for us to read the descriptions a case we run ucross the fellows." The starosta rushed out of the room : nd into the yard. 8 "Kcepcool," said Poussiu. "Therois ot tho slightest causo for fear. I saw hese placards a mouth ugo." The follow was back in an instant, aper in hand. "Here, you read it; my 7es are bad," said Poussiu, and be anded it to Platoff. Maurico, to conceal his emotion, turn- 8 d to the samovar and drew a cup of c 3a, but Platoff coolly took tho paper nd read uloud in a firm, clear voice: 8 TWO THOUSAND RUBLES REWARD. Tho above sum will bo paid for tho arrest of Oreo convicts who escaped in February from re mines at Kara; one tull and light haired, is companions of medium height, and dark. At le time of thoir escape two of them wore the rison gnrb; the other was attired in a Cosick uniform. They uro journeying down the Amur valley, nd all persons ure hereby warned to extend o aid whatever under the severest penalties. Geneiial, Memkoff, Governor of tho Mines of Kura. jttatner a meager description," said 'latoff, laying tho paper aside. "Ah, but their clothes," exclaimed hostarosta. "That is a sure idontificaiou. It is impossible that they could lave procured others." "Wero the convicts still wearing the rison clothes when seen near Toluar?" sked Poussin suddenly. "It was not the men who were seen," aid the starosta, "only traces of them, trail in tho snow?and hot ashes of ,re." Platoff darted a reassuring glance et laurice. " Well, my good man," broke in 'oussiu, "depend upon it the rascals fill bo captured, and servo them right, J nd now bo sure to have a fresh relay f horses ready at early dawn. I must v each Vladivostok before a warm spell g ets in." g The starosta promised obedience and c oft the room. ei "A good sleep will bo necessary," aid Poussin. "We shall havo a hard j uy'a journey tomorrow." He spread is rugs on the floor and stretched him- o ilf flat. Platoff filled his pockets with read and meat# and hurried away to si ive Phil his supper. Ho was back in m minutes. " "The boy is all right," he whispered Oj ) Maurice, "and the sledge is in a safe li lace. It won't bo disturbed." They * jrried on a whispered conversation for d' few moments^ with Poussiu snoring eavily at their side, and finally both si all asleep. ? Maurice woke some hours later with ^ confused din ringing in bis ears. He b ?t up, listening intently, and presently n re vague sounds resolved themselves & a nlnfror rvf l-mnfa thft fron/1 nf 81 urrying feet and a babel of voices. A ellow glare was shilling into the room, B( nd, rnshing to tbe window, he saw a ? ozen mounted Cossacks standing in ^ he station yard. o Two or three peasants were holding ? lazing torches, and a fast increasing P rowd was pouring in at tbe gates. At h lat instant Maurice felt a hand on his aoulder, and, turning, he saw Platoff. t) LostI" hissed tho Russian. "We are I etrayed. The soldiers are seeking us. Bl rook at that scoundrel I" And he point- " i to the starosta, who was standing at C( ne side conversing with the captain of a ae Cossacks. v "They shall not take me alive I I wear it!" he added fiercely, and, spring- h ig across the room, he tore his pistol ^ rom his coat. P Maurice, pale and trembling, turned ? :om the window. "Quick!" exclaimed Platoff. "Follow 7 le. We may escape through the rear." h [e moved toward the door as he spoke, ^ ut before be could reach it Nicolas 1< 'oussin came sleepily forward. "Ha! How's this? What does all this " oise mean?" he asked. h Platoff dragged him to the window nd pointed to tbe soldiers in tbe yard. "They are seeking us," he said. a Some wretch has put them on our rack. It is not too late yet to escape, * rovided a way is open in the rear. My 8 nly fears are for your safety. How can Cl on explain? How can you extrioate d ourself from your perilous position?" "I do not believe the soldiers are here )T that purpose," said Poussin in a v aim voice, but the pallor of his face n elied his words. "I advise you to wait ^ efore you attempt anything rash.,p "They are coming," cried Platoff, as ? sotsteps were heard in the next apart n lent, and, rushing to the door, he prop- 8 ed bis huge frame against it, calling u Maurice to assist. "Be careful, bo careful 1" said Pons- ? in nervously. "Don't go too far." 8 A sharp rat-tat-tat was heard on the ? anels, and, as no one answered, the faliliar voice of the starosta called on v aem to open. i With a sudden change of demeanor * latoflf seized the handle and flung the oor far back. The torch gleam from the yard re- e ealed the starosta and a burly captain r f Cossacks standing on the threshold. v CHAPTER XXIL 3 A DARING DEED. a The starosta evidently failed to notice ^ ie consternation that his visit had pro- c uced. j( "Pardon, a thousand pardons, your1 onorl" he exclaimed volubly, address-- ^ ig Poussin, who had pushed his way ) the front "I am sorry that I must' j isturbyou, but I really have no choice, a your honor can readily see for your-' ^ ?lf. This is a government position, you now, and of course I must be very' j ireful"? t "What are you talking about?" inter- j apted Poussin angrily, glanoing aslant v it his companions, who had edged acrosi ^ he room. ' 'opeak and explain yourelf." * "Why, don't you kuow?" said the ^ itarosta in a surprised tone. "Didn't ?ou hoar the noise and see the Cossacks j n the yard? His excellency the govern- ^ nnnf; insnentnr will be here in an hour f >r two, and this room must bo made * eady for him. He was not expected so loon, but it seems that he fears the varm weather will set in before be ? eaches the Pacific. He has come clear rom St Petersburg. This is the comnander of the Cossack advance guard, vho always precedes his excellency omo miles." And the starosta indicated he officer at his side, who at once mut- ^ ered ont an apology for disturbing ^ he travelers at their rest. Back in the shadow of the wall Plaoff and Muurice drew a sigh of relief hat was audible in the doorway. Poustin, too, was overcome by the sudden ransition from despair to hope, but he otained his solf possession admirably ind replied with a well assumed touch if indignation: "It is shameful thut travelers should luffor these inconveniences, but since it s hi3 excellency tho inspector who ' I *latoff seized the handle mid fluna the o door far back. f eishes oar apartment we will gladly ;ivo it up. Convey to him our best re- t! ;ards ou his arrival. Aud now where ti an we sleep for the remainder of the light?" f "I can put you on the floor of the y ostroom," said the storosta. doubtful- h r, "if your Iionor doesn't object to the ther occupants." "And who elso is there?" asked Pousn. "Well," replied the starosta, countlg on his fingers, "there aro fourpeas ts, and two soldiers, and a Cossack untenant, and three drunken buriats, d a merchant from Tomsk, aud a og"? "That will do," interrupted Pousin. "I don't want to hear any more. I 36 that the moon is shining. Traveling 'ill be good. Fetch me a relay of the est horses you can get, and at once, ?ind you. We will start immediately nd make up for loss of rest at the next ;atiou we reach." "But, your honor," stammered the :arosta, "I am afraid?horses?they re scarce, and his excellency will rant"? Here ho paused and glanced ver his shoulder, but the Cossack, hav ig lent his presence to the edict of exnlsion, had made his way unnoticed ato the courtyard. Poussin readily interpreted these litle maneuvers. "Get me the horses, and will give you 10 rubles extra," he lid. "I want provisions also. Put me i sufficient for five days' travel. One anuot procure food fit for a dog to eat t the stations between here and Vladiostok." "But food is even scarcer than orses," said the starosta with a greedy ivinkie in his eye. "All that can be rocured will be consumed by his exallency and party." "Provide what I want, and I will pay our price," replied Poussin. "Make aste, now, and get our sledge ready. Je will start at once, and bis excelmcy can have this room." "Voo rnnf hrtnnr." nnid fchfl fltaroata. AVU, ? I will do my best." And, bowing low, e departed. Poussin oarefnlly closed be door after bim and crossed the room. "Yon heard all oar conversation?" he Bked abruptly. "Yes," said Platoff. "Thank heaven ?e are safe! It was a terrible fright, nd I was sure that all was lost. Yonr oolness preserved ns from a fatal bluner. Yon are a wonderful maul" "Yes, it is true that we are safe for be present," answered Poussin, "but rhat I have just heard has a hidden leaning that I only could understand. rou remember my telling you that I aurneyed from Irkutsk to Toluar in ompany with two men under whose ames and with whose passports you re now traveling?" "Yes," said Platoff, "I recollect." "Well," resumed Poussin, "those len, Miroff and Lyapin, are both Rusian officers, although they traveled inognito, and the passports made no menion of their rank. From Irkutsk they rere sent ahead by his excellenoy the spector, and when we arrived at Tollar a telegram reached them containing Detractions to await the arrival of the spector at that station. They traveld with me, you see, in order that their ank might not be suspected. His excelency was not due at Toluar for some peeks, but it appears now that be has ourneyed with unusual rapidity. He rill be here in an boar or two. Miroff nd Lyapiu are with him. Anexaminaion of passports will lead to the disovery of oor ruse, and disaster will folow." Ponssin threw himself on a ohair and riped the perspiration from his brow. "A bad state of affairs indeed 1" said 'latoff. "What oan be done?" "Little, I fear," replied Ponssin. "I lave ordered the sledge at once, and we aay gain some hours on his excellency, t all depends, however, on a single bing?the examination of the passports, t is possible that no such inspection riil be made, since the inspector and us party are of such high rank. In that vent all will go well, and by bard raveling we can reach Vladivostok beore the inspector, but if the passports re requested by the officer who examued ours last night, and he hears the lames of those men, the coincidence rill at once strike him, and discovery rill follow." "Either CosBackswill then be sent in inrsuit or orders will be telegraphed to be next station to arrest us on our arival." "But the chances are in our favor," xclaimed Maurice eagerly. "At least o it seems to me. If these men had rocured other passports, and these passorts had been examined at various oints along the route?points atw'.ich ur passports had also been examined? rould not this discovery have been lade long ago?" "Yes," assented Ponssin. "And in that event," resumed Mauice, "would it not have been a simple latter to telegraph orders for our arest?" Again Poussin nodded assent. "Very well," said Maurice triumhantly; ' 'it is plain that their passports ave not heretofore been examined. Vhy, then, would they bo at this parioular point?" "That is clever reasoning," said 'oussin. " Yon ure right. The chances re greatly in our favor. Moreover, it s barely possiblo that these men are ot with his excellency at all. Ono canlot tell what may have happened. Peraps they wero sent back to Irkutsk or rdered to remain at Toluar, but we rill take no chances on that. To stay ere an hour longer is dangerous." At that instant a rap at the door was leard, and a second later the starosta ntercd. "All is ready," he said, "the fresh lorscs and the provisions. Ah, your onor, you little know with what diffiulty I procured them. If it came to his xcelleucy's ears, I should lose my ln/>a " "Yon aro an extortionato rascal," aid Poussin coolly. "You can tell lies ike a buriut. I won't quarrel over the rice, though. I am in haste to leave, lere is the money for the horses, inluding the ten extra rubles. How much or the provisions?" "Eight ? eight rubles," stammered he starosta. "Iassure you, your honor, hey cost me 7 ? "They didn't cost you two," said 'oussiu scornfully; "but, here, take our money." And, dropping the coins ato the outstretched hand, he led the way oat, followed by Pratoff and Maurice, bearing the rags. It was 3 o'clock iu the morniBg. The postyard, lit by the glaring torches of the soldiery, was weird and unnatural. A splendid troika ? three powerful black horses?was attached to the sledge, and the restless animals were stamping impatiently. Platoff and Maurice took the back seat and drew the furs around them. A slight movement of the rugs in front showed that Phil irao ofill cnfo in hia rnfront Ha doubtless was curious to know what was going on. Ponssiu deliberately made an inspection of the food he had bought to see that everything was there,' and, finally climbing to his seat, he roughly ordered the station attendants out of the road and chirruped to the horses. They trotted through the yard, and, turning the anglo at tho gate, under the very eyes of a dozen Cossacks, dashed off down the frozen, deserted street The low bouses, dim and gloomy, shot past like streaks, and, skimming over a slight ridge, the darkness was relieved by a bar of light shining from the military outpost?a small wooden structure by the roadside. "I forgot all about that," muttered Poussiu as he pulled up bis horses in obedience to the stern command to halt Two or three soldiers were lounging inside, and the officer who came forward with a lantern was the same man that examined their passports that morning. He held up the light and scrutinized their faces. "Ah, yes," ho said, "I remember you. You just camo last evening." "Yes," replied Poussin. "Wo have been turned out of our beds." And he rejatea in gooa numurcu iujjch uuw mu expected arrival of the government inspector had deprived them of their room and started them off a few hoars ahead of their nsaal time. '"Then yon are not connected with his excellency's party?" asked the officer. "Why, no," said Ponssin, thrown off his guard by the qnestior. "Bat your companions are," said the officer, and, palling a document from his pocket, he hastily enfolded it "I find both yonr names here," he said, looking at Platoff, "Louis Miroff and Serge Lyapin. This is a list of the inspector's party brought to me an hour ago by the cuptain of his excellenoy's advance guard in order that I might copy it for my monthly report Seeing your names upon it I eupposed you had preceded the inspector. May I ask why you are leaving again before his arrival?" Platoff's courage rose to meet this trying emergency. "We belong to his excellency's party," he answered in a firm voice, "my companion and L We are traveling incognito for reasons that must remain secret." Then, seeing that the officer hesitated, he added: "You saw the passports properly made out in our names. Surely that is sufficient" Perhaps there was an ill suppressed touch of eagerness in Platoflf's voioe. The officer's suspicions were plainly aroused. Without replying he held bis lantern to Platoff's face and then turned it on Poussin, who sat white and miserable on the front seat. That woebegone countenance confirmed the offloer's doubts. "I must put you to the inoonve^ienoe of a brief delay," he said. "No docbt all will be explained, but I dare not assume any risks. I will dispatch a man at once to bring the captain of the Cossack guard. He will know you, of oourse." The officer moved quietly forward and caught the horses' lines, while three soldiers with rifles in their hands came out of the station and stood near the sledge. " Yes," said Platoff. "He will know us. Oh, yes, the captain will know us." His lips trembled, and he caught Maurice's wrist in a convulsive grasp. Poussin never turned his head. He was trembling liko a loaf. Ten seconds ?twenty?half a minute. No one moved or spoke. Suddenly Platoff straightened up. With one quick, marvelous leap he sprang behind Poussin aud snatched the lines and the whip from the nerveless fingers. He shouted fiercely and brought down the lush with stinging tho cnirifpH horses. Thev oc y cii ij uu iuu ? ??. w reared in the air, tore madly from the officer's detaining grasp, and before the amazed soldiers could realize what had taken place the sledge was dashing like a meteor into the gloom. "Down!" Platoff shouted to Maurice. And, sweeping Poussin into the bottom of the sledge with one arm, he tightened his grip on the lines and dropped low himself. Crack I crack! crack! crack!?for two or three minutes the rifles popped continuously on tho frosty air, and the bullets tore through tho leather hood aud splintered the woodwork on all sides. Then the last shot echoed and died away, and the flashes of red firo vanished, leaving the night darker than before by contrast. TOBK CONTINUED. The Kant India Company. Tho first and perhaps tho greatest chartered conipauy that over existed was the East Indiu company, created by a chartor of Elizabeth in 1600, with a capital of ?72,000. Deprived of its charter by Cromwell in 1654, it obtained a regrant of the same from Charles II, amalgamated with tho new or English East India company in 1708, and so remained until tho Indian mutiny led to its suppression as an independent and imperial corporation. He Was a Billiard Player. The professor at tho blackboard in a well known institution of learning was astonished tho other day when he began: "Now, gentlemen, we start with this formula." Ho took up his pointer, to find himself interrupted by a round of applause and a burst of laughter. In his absence of mind he had first chalked tho end of the stick.?Pearson's Weekly.