Jasper County Democrat, Volume 7, Number 21, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 27 August 1904 — A SOLDIER OF COMMERCE [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

A SOLDIER OF COMMERCE

BY JOHN ROE GORDON

SYNOPSIS OF PREVIOUS CHAPTERS. Chapter I—Harvey Irons, a commeecial agent in Russia for a firm of American manufacturers, has been expelled from the osar’s dominions. The czar has just prohibited the traffic in Georgia women. Hafiz Effendl, a Turk, and Mizik, agent for the ameer of Bokhara, are in Tiflis seeking a bride for Prince Davonca. ll—Hafiz points out to Mizik the bride he has selected, a beautiful Georgian, Koura, daughter of a rich merchant in Tiflis. Hafiz agrees to deliver the girl to a boat captain on the Caspian recommended by Mizik. Captain Orskoff of the czar’s army has the Turk under surveillance. Ill—Hafiz and one Hassan, a greedy captain on Kur river, lure the merchant and hiz daughter on board of Hassan’s boat at midnight. Hafiz kills the merchant, and Hassan sails away with Koura locked in a cabin. Koura has pledged her hand to Captain Orskoff. IV—While beating about the eastern waters trying to reach Novgorod Irons boards Hassan’s boat against the will of the captain, who, however, takes a bribe to carry the American to Astrakan. A Russian gunboat overhauls the craft. Hassrn tells a plausible Btory about the presence of Koura, implicating Irons, who is arrested for abduction of one of the czar’s subjects. V—lrons is taken to Tiflis. In the family apartments of the prison where he is confined his sweetheart, Mile. Alma Jurnieff, niece of the governor, Colonel Jurnieff, is kept in seclusion. Her father and uncle had caused the banishment of the American to separate the lovers. Alma hears of Irons’ plight and vows to save him. Vl—Colonel Jurnieff is conspiring to crush Irons. Hassan appears in court as witness against the American, who, he says, was abducting Koura. Vll—Prince Dellnikoff is ooming to Tiflis. He is the ehoioe of Alma’s father for a son-in-law. Alma buys a ship’s cargo of hay to be delivered at Astrabad, Persia, and stipulates that the ship shall carry a man as passenger. VIII—The governor gives a ball in honor of Prince Dellnikoff. Alma, by her graciousness and, witchcrv, captivates both the prince and her" uncle. IX—Colonel Jurnieff expeots to win promotion by bringing about The marriage of his niece and the prince. He urges Deunikoff to have the betrothal announced at the ball. Dellnikoff proposes and promises Alma any favor she may wish. She asks for one of his uniforms to indulge in a lark as pretended inspector of prisons. CHAPTER X. INSPECTING THE PRISONt-A CHANGE OF ORDERLIES. SHILE the governor and Colonel Jurnieff were planning the great surprise to be given the guests two stealthy figures left the palace. Jurnieff’s carriage was easily found, and they stepped Into It Prince Dellnikoff was dressed In a plain uniform he had worn as lieutenant of cavalry. He wore over that a long black cloak that concealed every inch of his apparel. In his arms he carried his brilliant uniform of inspector general of prisons. Alma iaughed, called him a good prince and patted his cheek. She let his arm rest about her waist as the carriage hurried to Jurnieff’s home. Arriving, she led the prince by a private way to Jurnieff’s apartments. A servant met them and was dismissed with the curt remark that Colonel Juruieff had sent them for something and they needed no attendance. She left Dellnikoff in the library and took the bundle from him. She hurried to her room. When she got there, she knelt and prayed. Marie found her on her knees and lifted her. “Marie, hush for your life! Swear by all that you hold sacred you will not breathe a word of what you see tonight until tomorrow. Better yet, go; see nothing.’’ “Can you not trust me, mademoiselle?” “I cannot trust myself. Go! You know nothing. I came home from the ball feeling ill.” The maid retired, and Alma dressed herself in the uniform of the Inspector general of prisons. In a closet were a pair of boots she had purchased. The long cloak she bad bought, as that worn by Dellnikoff, covered her completely. With a pair of shears she cut her beautiful tresses short. In her excitement she left them where they fell upon the floor. She went to the library and threw aside the cloak. “Alma,” cried the prince, rushing to her, “you are superb! The uniform becomes you better than it does me, though it is a trifle large. Where did you get the boots?” “They were left by a—by a soldier who knows Marie, my maid. Oh, lam so nervous! I can scarcely bring myself to the lark now that I have won you to it. But we have gone so far, we must go on. We will have some wine before we go.” She left the room and returned with two glasses filled. “Drink to the success of our expedition!” He took the glass from her hands and asked her to touch her lips to the rim. She did so and gave him her glass for the same salute. “To the success of the handsomest, dashingest, daringest inspector of prisons the czar of Russia ever had!” They both drank the toast “Now come. I know the way,” she said. “The papers—the commission—l found them in the breast pocket.” “You will not need them if you make your voice heavier.” Amazed, half conscious of what he was doing, the prince followed. She led. him down a staircase to a stone corridor. The captain of the prison guard came to meet them. The visor of her cap was pulled down. She stiffened up and addressed the guard with dignity. “I am Prince Dellnikoff, inspector general of prisons. Here is the seal of the czar. I am here to examine your dungeons.” “Yes, your excellency,” stammered the captain. “There are but few of us here tonight. The governor’s ball”— “I know. I Just left there.” “But you need an escort through the dungeons.” “I never have an escort. I wish to

see for myself. My orderly Is escort enough.” Dellnikoff stood silent, marveling at this splendid acting. “Have I really known the girl before?” he asked himself. “What prisoners have you?” “In the lower dungeons there are but few. They are waiting for transportation to Siberia.” “Do you keep ali prisoners for Siberia In the lower dungeons?” “Yes, excellency.” Alma knew the general plan of the prison and went at once to the lower dungeons. She found the key that unlocked the iron door that led to the corridor. • “That wine—l drank too much. I shall not be fit for the toasts at the supper,” whispered the prince. “It is the close atmosphere. We shall be out again soon. You will feel better.” They passed In, and she locked the door behind them. The first cell they came to she unlocked. A dirty looking wretch was lying on his pallet of straw. “He will be cleaner In Siberia,” said Alma as she locked his cell. The next cell was empty, and she did not relock the door. Each cell door In turn she opened and looked in. They had almost completed the round of the corridor when she heard the prince breathing heavily. She turned and found him leaning again*st the wall. “I am ill!” he whispered. “My head Is splitting.” “Come out In the air,” she said. “I c-can’t!” His head drooped. With a strength born of the exigencies of the moment she thrust him into an empty cell and tore the long cloak from under him. Then she locked the door. Swiftly, breathlessly, with panting bosom and trembling hands, she opened door after door. In almost the last cell of the row was Harvey Irons asleep. “Wake up! Wake up, M. Irons!” Alma whispered. He sat upright. “Who are you?”

“Hush! Our lives depend upon your silence and obedience. I am Alma, now acting as the inspector general of prisons. Come with me!” “Alma! Alma .Turnieff!” he whispered as he looked at her in bewilderment. “Yes. Come with me. I will help you to escape. They will kill you here. Come, now. Wear this cloak and do not speak.” Marveling, he staggered to his feet and donned the cloak. “Follow me,” she whispered. “Do not speak. Our lives depend upon your discretion." Harvey obeyed her Injunctions. She led him to the corridor. “How did your excellency find things?” asked the captain of the guard timidly. “In good condition, all but the atmosphere. It is so close it has made my orderly ill. We will step out into the cool air for awhile, after which we will return and resume our inspection.” The bunch of keys was heavy, and as the guard took them from Alma’s hand he did not notice that one had been abstracted. He hung the bunch in its accustomed place. A moment later the doors of Tiflis prison had closed behind Alma Jurnieff and Harvey Irons. CHAPTER XI. FRISOX ALARM. VERED by their long cloaks, I I unnoticed by the few who IESRrrI were in the streets, Alma and KjWtJ Harvey Irons went toward the river. Several times Harvey tried to speak, but Alma would not permit it. Winding through the narrower streets, met twice by sentries and giving the password, which she knew, Alma led him safely to the wharf where the hayboats lay. Lanterns moved here and there, but most of the boatmen were

asleep. Alma knew where the boat ot Charka of Ashkar was moored and harried to it It could not well be mistaken, for it was the largest of the hayboats, and Its cargo had not been touched. “Charka!” she said as the two stepped upon the boat “Charka of Ashkar!” “Who calls Charka of Ashlar?” asked the sleepy boatman as he emerged from the dingy little box he called bis house. “It Is I, Charka, who purchased your hay and bargained for you to deliver it at Astrabad with a passenger.” “Good. You were long coming. The hay has been wanted many times. But I knew you would come, so I did not sell.” “M. Irons,” said Alma, turning to Harvey and putting out her hands, “I can do no more. Knowing that you were in danger of being killed or of being sent to Siberia, where your identity would be lost and all hope of rescue gone, I determined that I would set you free If possible. I have purchased this hay, and Charka will deliver it—you, rather at Astrabad, where you will be safe from the persecutions of your enemies.” “But what of you, my darling girl, my bravest? You have sacrificed yourself for me.” “They dare not kill me,” said Alma. “They would do anything. But I cannot go like this. Give me Just a moment. Let me take you in my armsl” Charka, with a fine sense of propriety, walked back to his little box. “Oh, if love could repay you, dear,” said Harvey, taking her In his arms, “if the devotion of a life could pay you for what you have done, how gladly would I make you happy! But what can I do? It will be impossible for me to see you now.” “Some day—some day I will come to you.” “Come with me now,” raining kisses on her lips. “I will not go without you. I will go back and give myself up.” “Dear one, do not speak like that! It is ungrateful!” “So it is, darling. You have cut off your hair, your beautiful hair, that I loved. How did you accomplish my rescue? Tell me what you did?” Alma told Harvey the whole story. “I even gave myself up to abandon for your sake, dear one,” concluded Alma. “I permitted his lips to touch mine; I allowed his arm to encircle my waist. Ob, the thought of it burns, but it was for you!” “Great heaven! What a woman! And now you want me to leave you to their vengeance! Russia does not forgive. You will be sent to Siberia. You must come with me or I shall remain and fight for you.” “And be killed! You must go at once. Kiss me, dear one! It may be the last.” “It shall not! Hark! The alarm gun of the prison!” The dull boom of a cannon smote the air. “Here, we must get out of this,” said Charka, rushing from his box. “The soldiers will swarm along the river in no time.” “My uncle has thought we were gone too long,” said Alma, trembling with the weakness of reaction. ‘Tie has searched for us in the palace and, not finding us, has gone to the prison. He has questioned the servants and learned that we were there. Perhaps he has even discovered that the prince is locked in a cell. My dear one, hide under the hay. Charka, where can he hide? He Is your friend, and your enemies are after him!” With a sweep of his hand Charka showed them the immense cargo of hay. It rested upon many long planks that met in the middle of the boat and extended some feet over each side. Under the planks was a vacant space. “Under there,” said Charka. “There you will be safe. Hurry! The dogs of Muscovites will soon be here.” “You shall not go back to imprisonment or death,” said Harvey. “Come with me! We will go to America, where you will be safe and happy. Come, my darling, come.” Alma hesitated. Again sounded the alarm gun. Perhaps the thought of solitary imprisonment, perhaps the knout, perhaps Siberia, came to her. • “I will go,” she said simply. The two crawled under the hay, and Charka lay down on the boat as If asleep. Everything happened as Alma had supposed. The ball bad been deprived of its most brilliant lights. With Alma and Dellnikoff gone, it grew dull. A half hour passed, and Colonel Jurnieff got uneasy. “Where are your beautiful niece and Dellnikoff?” asked the governor. “The prince said they were going to find a secluded spot and talk things over. I asked Alma, and she consented to the announcement of their betrothal, but said the prince had not asked her to be bis wife. I sent him to her, and they came to an agreement. But they wanted to be alone to talk. I do not know what keeps them.” “It is not so easy to leave off a conversation with a girl like Alma. It is almost time for the supper. I hope they will not forget.” The governor showed his anxiety as the time for him to take the highest of his guests to supper arrived. “I am filled with misgivings, your excellency,” said Jurnieff. “There is something wrong.” “Wrong! What can be wrong?” “Something, I know not what. The girl bewitched us ali tonight. I had never seen her so gay, so reckless. She acted as if she had drunk too much wine, and she seldom drinks any, and now, when 6he is not here, with her beauty and her wit to ensnare me, I recall how she hated the prince. She never said so, but she refused to marry him. She was in love with an American.”

’’Where fs the American?" “He Is In our prison. He Is implicated in the abduction of Koura Biartelkis.” “And you think—what do you think? Speak, man!” “I cannot think. I am going to the prison to see what has happened.” He called for hie carriage. It was gone. He took the nearest one—one In which a Chinese mandarin bad come to the ball—and hurried to the prison. He dashed to the living apartments. Marie was asleep. He roared for her, and, trembling in every limb, she came to him. “Has my niece returned from the ball?” “She did return, colonel. I went to her, but she dismissed me and told me to go to bed.” Jurnieff ran to Alma’s rooms. On the floor he saw her long brown tresses. “What deviltry is here tonight?" he gasped. He dashed to the prison. The captain of the guard started when he saw the pallor of the colonel’s face. “Has any one visited the prison tonight?” “Yes; the inspector general.” “What! Do you mean Prince Dellnikoff?” “Yes, my colonel. He had with him also an orderly.” “Was my niece here?” “I did not see the young lady.” “What did the inspector general do?” “He and his orderly went into the dungeons where the prisoners for Siberia are kept. They soon came back, as the orderly was not well. The inspector general said they would go out in the air a short time and return. They did not return.” “Open that door to the dungeons!” Ths captain took down the bunch of keys. He trembled and turned white. “What is the matter?” commanded Jurneiff. “The key is gone.” Jurneiff swayed. He no longer thought of promotion, but how to save himself from disgrace. “The door must be broken in. Go for the locksmith.” The locksmith was roused from his sleep and soon had the door open. Jurneiff rushed in and began opening the cells. In one he found Dellnikoff, sleeping as if drunk. He dragged him out to the light. “Drugged!” he exclaimed. “The girl has tricked us all! Where is the American?” His cell was opened. It was empty. “Fire the alarm gun! They are still In Tiflis! The guards will find them! Get out every man! Have the garrison turned loose! I must go and report to the governor.” In ten minutes the ball was over. Chinese mandarins and Persian princes were hustled off and chattered together in bewilderment. Every Russian at the ball was sent out to hunt the fugitive, with orders to bring him back dead or alive. (TO BE CONTINUED.)

“Our lives depend upon your discretion."