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CHAPTER Ii. i ACROSS THE FRONTIER.

On a certain March ing of the var following the events related in whe preceding chapter, two ycung Am- yricans leit the office of the Russian Consul General at be rlin, and an hour ister Were speeding as fast as steam gould carry them toward the distant jrontier of the Russian empire. Maurice Hammond and Philip Dan- vers were (the names registered on their passports, and while they are

hastening toward St. Petersburg, en-

thusiastic and delighted at the pros-

ect of soon seeing this frozen capital of the north, we will take the Oppor- tenity of briefly acquainting the read-

# with the circumstances fgcessarv to

fh understanding of the strange and ting drama upon which the cur-

gin is évéh how rising

Twenty yéars bef re, Vredcrick Ham- pond, &@ young American, an attaché d the United States Legation at St. Petersburg, met and fell in love with jana Saradoff, a young Russian girl @ wealth and position.

Such marriages are uncommon, but when Frederick Hammond returned to New York he took with him a Rus-

sian bride. Aura Saradoff's only relative was ter brother, Viadimir, who, having

other views for his sister, conceived a most Intense hatred of this scheming American, as he chose to cail him.

He never forgave his sister and pro- fessed from that time to regard her as one dead.

Mrs. Hammond in turn, well content with her husband's love, cut off all connection with her native land. Her Russian property was converted into American securities and without a shadow of regret for the brilliance and magnificence ‘she had _ voluntarily abandoned she entered upon the quiet- # occupations of her new life.

Five years later she died, leaving the one child, Maurie, at' that time 4 years of ace. m

Six years leter Frederick Hammond fowed his wife, but in the mean- time imbittered by her logs, he taught tis son to detest his Russian uncle, whose cruel treatment had prebably tastened his sister's death.

Frederick Hammond had few inti- mate friends. To one of these, Colonel Hercules Hoffman, he intrusted the are of his son and his son's fortune.

Colonel Hoffman was at that time a man of honesty and integrity, honest hecause as yet he had not been tempt-

That temptation came in the form of the malachite box 6f jewels, and how Colonel Hoffman resisted a base temptation we have alreasly seen.

Maurice Hammond omn be described in a few words.

He had inherited the ardent temper- ament of his mother, his father’s inte- ket and good looks.

At 19 he was tall, athletic, blond- laired, and ruddy cheeked. His Hfe

lad been passed at preparatory schools

td colleges, while in the vacations he wualiy travelled, for Colonel Hoffman “as unme -fied, and, moreover, a cool- tess, fostered probably by instinct, ex- ited between guardian and ward. When Coionel Hoffman returned fom that trip abroad, Maurice was Wavelling tm the West with his inti- Mate friend and college chum, Philip Danvers.

For several months Colona Hrefman Ages mest wretched mam in New

That diplomatic interview at the flote! Bristol, which has been describ- ti word for word, possessed a sinister meaning that he could not fail to in- terpret. xy never dared admit to himself that suspicions were correct. but con- ae before his mental vision _hunz tat clause in the forgiving Anna mmoend’s will. “In case my son rice die unmarried, the estate shall

os to my brother, Vladimir Sara- Of, of St. Pctersburg.” The first sin oft-times paves a

™moeth pathway for the second. nee t was the welfare of bis ward amg to his own interests, his for- on Dosition, his reputation ? saat ny Maurice Hammond came mad Rh his friend and himself pro- The Sent, months’ continental tour. leas ® dSoys having finished co!l- they bw Was more natural than that Cole Id wish to see the world ? With a. Hoffman gladly acquiesced. Viedimte nt finesse he pictured Uncle ue te 88 sorrowful, repentant, anx- ake See his nephew for his sister's

He cabled to St. Petersburg.

Meurke as later a letter came to 9 visit Sona a warm invitation roach ¢ Russian capital before the ta of summer made it unpleas-

ter heig noting prospects that the let- c nt proved irresistible. late in oe bovs sailed from New York ves ebruary and, contenting them- tng rag a brief stay in London rs, travelled by easy stages Viadin continent. “mir Saradoff, at the time this

NOry one. ieee had reached the age of

The last member

‘owned

of an old and re ts Ruesian

family, his brilliant ry Dolitical influence, and above Sua @vour of the czar, gave him beg ®e at court, and in St. Peters- hee _ that was surpassed by | oy education, acquired partly ties oo partly in German universi-

~ aes in nothing, and he lence Knowledge of Eng- fe Qin ee and customs, the result Russian ee term of service at the Beit : ee at London. In dis- ful, Was crafty and revenge- pie Sister’s re shock 2. Was

marriage had been a see to his pride.

Sheont in the Caucasus at orcurred. When he re-

{BY We-MURRAY GRAYDON. |

‘

a

1297" BY THE WOOLFALL PUBLISHING CO.y

(Continued,)

turned, she ‘fad already teft Kussia, and the vengeance which he meditated on the daring American was bevond hts reach. The events of the ‘past 20 years—the death of his sister and her husband and tbe fortune left to their child—had only added fuel to the flame of his wrath.

To-day he hated Maurice Hammond

as implacably as he had hated Fred- erick Hammond 20 vears before.

Let us add one more fact.

Viadimir Saradoff had been alt his life addicted™-to that especially Rus- Sian vice, gaming.

He was supposed to be Wealthy.

He owned 2 palace on the Nevskol Prospekt, a country seat in the north.

His expenses were enormous, but his income was reported to be fabu- lcus. The truth was not even suspect- ed. Slowly, but surely, Vladimir Sara- dcff’'s wealth had been Slipping away over the gaming tables. A crisis was at hand. He realized that he must acquire a large sum of money ov lose

ail that he held most dear—his prestige at court, his position in society and his ancestral heritage. He concen- trated his thoughts on two objects, the attainment of a long. deferted vengeance and the acquisition of the badly needed wealth.

At the vast frontier station of Wir- ballen, which thev reached at mid- night, cold and hungry, the boys ob- tained their first view of Russtan life. Passports and baggage were over- heuled, and then they were turned in- to the dreary waiting-room with many Oller passengers.

There was little time for scrutiny Or observation.

The Russian train rattled into the Staticn and almost before they knew it their passports, properly stamped, had been pressed into their hands, and the train was rattling noisily on Inte the night. ,

They were speeding over Russian soil now. Before them stretched the de- minions of the Czar, an empire that reached thousands and thousands of miles acress Siberian wastes and de- serts to the faraway Pacific coast.

Hour after hour the train rushed through the gloomy snow-clad coun- try, stopping at intervale at huge

like stations, and at last, late on the, following ewening, they knew that the end of the journey was near.

“I wonder what sort of a reception this aristocratic uncle of yours will give me, Maurice 7” said Phil Dan- vers as he pulled a cap over his curly black hair and unfolded his big fur- trimmed coat preparatory to putting it on. “ Don't you think ft was a rather cheeky performance to invite a guest on your own responsibility 7’

“Don’t talk nonsense, Phil,” replied his companion. “He will be only too glad to receive a friend ef mine. He had plenty of notice. I wrote to him from London, and then you know we telegraphed him from Berlin yesterday morning.”

“ Petersburg !" shouts the smartly uniformed conductor, and in an instant all is bustle and commotion as the train rolls into the vast station.

Maurice draws a long breath as he hurries from the car.

This is his mother’s native city—the lovely, delicate woman whom he re- membered so faintly.

A tall man in heavy cloak and as- traohan cap suddenly confronts him.

“M. Hammond ?” he says, enquir- ingly, in plein English.

Maurice nods his head, not knowing whether to hold out his hand or not.

The next word reassures him.

“ The carriage waits,’ says the man, with a servile bow, and taking the boys’ luggage he motions them to fol- low him through the crowd.

A huge sisigh is waiting. The boys and their strange guide occupy the spa- cious seat and pull the rugs closely around them.

The driver perched in front setzes the lines, and presently they are gliding through the streets of St. Petersburg.

A light fall of snow is coming down, and in the lamplight the houses, the people, and the vehicles are seen as through a yellow fog.

It seems a cheerless reception to the two young travellers.

Not a werd is spoken during the half- hour’s ride. The grim-visaged man with the astrachan cap sits between them.

At length the sleigh halts before a huge palatial building. Their guide leads them up a broad flight of steps, massive doors are flung open, reveal]- ing a soft light within, and they are ugehere@ into a spacious apartment. Maurice has warely time to observe the rich furniture, the tapestries, the paintings and the rugs, when a tall, fine-looking gentleman in evening dress comes quickly forward.

“My dear nephew,” he exclaims, as he takes him by the hand. “ Yes, your mother’s face, her very features. But how did you endure the long journey ? You must be terribly fatigued.”’

He extends a warm welcome to Phil, and presently Maurice concludes that he was utterly mistaken inhis prey- ious estimation of Vladimir Saradoff.

They dined informally in a large apartment that was a marvel of lux- ury with its gilded decorations, and then Viadimir Saradoff led the way back to the library. {

“My dear Maurice,” he began, ab- ruptly. “an unfortunate thing has hap- pened. Urgent business demands my presence in Moscow. I am compelled to forego the pleasure of showing you our city In person. I shall start by an early train and will be absent two or three days. What I would suggest to you is this :—Remain here to-morrow and look around St. Petersburg under Ivan's guidance. Ivan Tambor is my trusted servant, who met you at the train to-night. He has always accom- panied me and speaks goods English. Then on the following day he will es- cort you to Moscow, and there I shall devote myself to your pleasure. There } ig much to be segn at Moscow.” :

: ‘.USelVes as de- limited with this arrangement.

= nwhile,” continued their hoet “vou WI! find everything here er. ranged for your comfort. Ivan will see that nothing is neglected. Ana

now

I observe that you are \

‘eary and

a

Fe scized paper and pen ard began te write,

nett eeihestensttennsntetentiel

in need of rest,

Pardon my thouet leseness,”’ a

Mz icing for a servant, and the boys Were speedily ushered to another floor, where luxurious bedrooms, not unl ke apartments they had seen at home, awaited them,

Viadimir Saradoff, alone in his It-

brary, paced the floor with an ill-con-

cealed expression of triumph on his features,

At last, seating himself at a large ebony cGesk, he seized paper and pen

and began to write rapidly. The first letter commeted, he sealed and stamp- ed it with coloured wax, and addressed it to “Count Paul Brosky, Minister of the Interior.”

He at once resumed his writing, and om finishing a second leter, half an

hour later, he sealed that in the same manner, and addressed it to “ Captain Susha, Commandant of the Forward- ing Prison, Moscow.”

He pulled a bell-cord, and Ivan Tam- bor speedily entered the room.

Viadimir Saradoffi handed him the letters,

“ Deliver this one immediately,” he said, designating the letter first writ-

ten. “Tet the other go by the early mail. You understand’ everything, Ivan ?”

“ Yes, your excellency,” replicd the Russian. ‘Nothing shall be forgot- ten,” And saluting his master he left the apartment.

Overhead, in the soft, luxurious beds, the two boys slept calmly, little dream- ing of their host's perfidy, unconscious of the fatal import of those two letters that were even now speeding to their respective destinations.

im Russia deeds are possible that no other country on the globe would tol- erate,

With his wealth, his standing at court, his influence with high officials, what could not Vladimir Saradoff ac- complish if he willed ?

In the dark days of Ivan the Terri- ble no viler deed was ever conceived than this atistocratic Russian so cool- fy perpetrated that night.

CHAPTER IIL ARRESTED.

One day Maurice Hammond and Phil- ip Danvers spent amid the grandeur and magnificence of St. Petersburg—a day so vivid in contrast to the dark- ness and gloom that followed that it will ever remain undimmed in their memories.

In a huge Russian sleigh, drawn by three powerful horses, they drove the length of the vast Nevskoi Prospekt— @ boulevard more than 100 feet broad and three miles long. The buildings were huge, massive, and imposing; the frozen roadway was filled with sleighs of every description, from the pea- gant’s humble box’ on runners to the magnificent. turnouts of the nobility. The sidewalks were thronged with foot passengers, merchants, .porters, civil servants, officers in long cloaks, ladies in Parisian toflets, priests in flowing black gowns and brimlese hats, while over the horizon rose gilded and paint- ed domes and countless Greek crosses.

Presently the great street. merged into the Court quay, a marvellous highway of rose granite, bordered on the one side by the palaces of the no- bility, on the other by the frozen waters of the Neva.

Ivan, sitting like a statue on the front seat, points out from time ta time places of note—the Winter pal- ace, where the Czar lives in regal state; the adjoining hermitage and the palaces of the grand dukes.

Now he inclines his hand across the frozen Neva.

“The fortress,” he says, briefly, and with thrilling interest the boys gaze on the bastions and towers of that noted citadel where unhappy prison- ers languish in their bombproof cells.

For hours they drove through the streets, crossing and recrossing the seven canals which appear in every direction.

Turning back late in the afternoon, they entered through a massive arch- way to the palace square.

A burst of music reached the boys’ ears, and a scene of splendour opened before them.

From the centre of the square tower- ed the shaft of red granite, the Alex- ander column, and at its base the band of the Imperial Guard was playing airs from Offenbach. Mounted Cos- sacks were keeping back the impetu- ous crowd,

“There has been a review,” said Ivan. “The troops are returning.”

He signalled to the driver, and as the sleigh drew up before the impos- ing facade of the admiralty the head of the line, a squad of the Imperial guard, reached the archway. Close behind at a sharp trot came the Asiatic troops—Georgians, Persians, Circas- sians, and Mongols, armed with lances end steel maces, clad in long coats of mail.

Then followed compact bodies of in- fantry, Finland chasseurs, and the gi- ants.of the Payl regiment with mas-

DAILY EXAMINER, CHARLOTTETOWN, NOVEMBER 15 1897

' Ver DR.B t0E3sCHiRe F:.2c%::* *

void the hordes of cavalry who were rowdinge at red hussars, nadiers Swarms af

the heels,

lancers, and

Cossacks on their shaggy ponies.

They hastened on toward their quar- ters, and as the last Cossack ambled through the arch a battery of artillk ty charged into the square from the other extremity.

Maurice watched the approaching group with eager interest. They clat ered past the Alexander column, the fiery black charger curveting and prancing to the music of the band, and as they drew near the arch an officer, superbly uniformed and mounted, gal- loped into the square almost beside the sleigh where the hovys Sat.

The ho: slip; on the smooth- trodden sne and plunged heavily to the ground, bearing his rider with him

1d pinning him firmly from the waist

nward directly in the track of

* rumbling cannons

i cry burst from the t and the artillery horses, red at the uproar, bore madly down

on the helpless officer, lost to all re-

startled

in the

frighter

situation at a ed people on. the mounted be-

who petrified and the rapidly advancing

ix Cossacks the =} io a. with horror, rtillery,

. fore seemed

(To be Continued.)

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