第 9 页

Ivor's heart beat wildly.

"You!" he gasped. "You are safe, then?"

The intensity of his tone must have revealed something of the strange emotion that he felt. It startled the proud young Russian girl for an instant, and a deep blush mantled her cheeks.

"Yes, I am safe," she said with a touch of hauteur. "That is why I have come here tonight. I owe my life to you and to your brave companion, and the time has arrived when I can pay the debt. You are in great danger — both of you."

"In danger of what?" exclaimed Ivor. "Do the convicts still hold the town, and are we in their power?"

"There is little time to spare, but I will tell you briefly what has happened," said the girl. "You must hear, too," indicating Gogol, "for it concerns both of you."

She paused a moment while Gogol tottered across to Ivor's bed, and sat down on the edge of it. Then she resumed hurriedly: "You probably do not know that the riot is over. About the time that we took refuge in the bake shop the expected steamer arrived in the harbor with two hundred troops on board. The tumult apprised them of what was taking place. They landed immediately, and opened fire on the convicts with two heavy pieces of artillery. It was a stray ball from one of these — an eighty pounder — that shattered the wall of the bake shop and caused your injuries. It also frightened away the ruffians who were trying to force their way into the room, and when the soldiers arrived they thought you were both dead. The surgeon who was sent for declared differently, however, and you were brought to this rear room where you have been lying in a state of unconsciousness until today. I was not injured in the least, but I fainted when the ball crashed through the room."

"When did this happen?" asked Ivor.

"Three days ago," replied the girl. "The fighting was all over by the middle of the next morning. More than half of the convicts voluntarily surrendered, at least a hundred were killed, and the rest are being hunted down by mounted troops. My father and the brave men with him were rescued just in time, for the enemy had trained cannon on the house and were about to batter it down. But I have told you enough of these things. They are slight and unimportant in comparison with what other tidings I bring. Oh! how can I tell you of the unjust belief that even my father shares! It is cruel, cruel."

At this point the girl was almost overpowered by her feelings, but with an effort she recovered her composure.

"Don't think of us," said Ivor. "We have seen too much misery to shrink from another blow."

"Yes, we expect nothing better than to be sent back to the mines," added Gogol in a bitter tone. "Services rendered by a convict count for nothing."

"Ah! it is not that," exclaimed the girl. "The danger that threatens you now is even more terrible. Two leaders of the riot have been captured — a Turk named Rustem, and the German who broke into the house that night by strategy and carried me off. They accuse you two of instigating the riot, and they say your object was to turn traitors to the rest as soon as the insurrection broke out, and thus obtain favor and pardon for yourselves. The other convicts all testify to the same thing, and thus my father and the governor have been led to believe you guilty. This morning I overheard a conversation between them and other officers, and I learned from it that your fate has already been decided. In four days you are both to be hung before the prison in company with Rustem, and Schmidt, and many others."

A groan escaped from Gogol's lips, and Ivor turned very pale. . The blow, was an unexpected one. At the worst they had anticipated nothing more than a return to their old life of misery.

"Rustem and Schmidt are taking this means to revenge themselves on us," exclaimed Ivor hoarsely. "It is easy to see that. They must have arranged the plan beforehand with their companions. But is it possible that your father believes their lies?''

"Yes, he does," replied the girl sadly, "and though I know that you are speaking the truth, and tell him so, it has no effect on him. Schmidt declares that both of you helped to carry me off, and that you quarreled with him because you wanted possession of me yourselves. This, too, my father believes, though I know it to be false. He insists that the evidence is all against you, and that the verdict of the tribunal must take its course."

"Is there no hope, then?" asked Ivor. "Is this to be our reward for bringing the news to Karsokov, and for saving you from that ruffian's clutches? It is hard to die —"

"Ah, hush!" whispered the girl. "Do you think me so ungrateful? I have come to give you what little help lies in my power. It is little indeed compared to the risks which you freely undertook for my sake. In the first place let me tell you that I have many faithful and devoted servants in Karsokov. It fortunately happens that Rolav, the baker who occupies this house, is one of them. Another is the soldier who stands in the garden under your window every night. His name is Sasha. Both would do anything in their power for me, and it is by their aid and connivance that I have been enabled to come here tonight. I must tell you my plan quickly, for I may be interrupted. Hark! what is that? I thought I heard a door open in the front of the house. If I am discovered here it will fare badly with all of us."

She listened intently for a moment, but the sound was not repeated.

"Shall I step into the corridor?" suggested Gogol. "I can hear what goes on down stairs, and give you timely warning. I feel quite able to walk."

"Yes, pray do," answered Sonia. "I shall then feel safe, for if any person enters the front of the house I can escape by the rear. Your friend will explain to you the instructions that I am about to give him."

Gogol at once crossed the room and stationed himself in the hall, leaving the door partly open.

"Pay close attention," said the girl, fixing her gaze on Ivor, "and don't lose a word that I tell you. The surgeon has reported that both of you can safely be transferred to the prison the day after tomorrow. Tomorrow night, then, you must escape. Since you are regarded as being disabled, only ordinary precautions have been taken to guard the house. Two Cossacks are stationed at the front entrance every night, and Sasha, of whom I told you, is on duty in the garden. It was Sasha who stayed in the room with you today. He is now at his post.

"Now here are your instructions. Tomorrow night, an hour or two after dark, you and your companion must creep down stairs and enter the garden by the rear door, which you will find open. Sasha will not molest you, but in order to make it appear that he tried to do his duty you must bind and gag him, and take his gun. The next step will be the most dangerous, and you must be very careful to avoid observation. Go straight to the landing place at the foot of the town, and then follow the road that goes due westward across the arm of the bay. You can't easily miss it, for it runs along the edge of a heavy pine forest. The distance to the shore of the strait is nine miles, and there, on the lower side of a jutting- promontory of rocks, you will find a small boat concealed in a quiet cove. It is empty now, but before tomorrow night it will contain a stock of food, and a complete outfit of heavy clothes for each of you. The friend that has promised to arrange this for me can be depended upon. You must try to reach the mainland in this boat, and as the weather promises to be calm I think you have a good chance of success. After that fresh perils will begin, but if you ever reach Vladivostok you may find shelter and protection from some of the foreign vessels that lie in the harbor there. The long walk will be your greatest ordeal, but you may be stronger by tomorrow, and here is something which will be of help to you."

She took a small flask from under her cloak and handed it to Ivor, who immediately concealed it under the mattress of the bed.

"And now I must leave you," she resumed. "I will pray nightly to God for your escape. You deserve to be free, and I feel that I am doing right in helping you. Whatever were the sins that brought you here I hope you will repent of them and try to lead better lives in the future.

"Ah! how can I thank you?" exclaimed Ivor. "You are an angel of pity and kindness. If you only knew the truth how differently you would think of me! Wait one moment. I feel that must tell you. I am innocent of any crime; before God I swear it!"

Encouraged by the girl's hesitating attitude, and before she could utter a word of remonstrance, Ivor poured out in low but passionate tones the story of his wrongs.

To hear was to believe, and Sonia Komaroff did believe. Her eyes filled with tears, and the touch of hauteur — that barrier of caste which so chilled Ivor's heart — vanished from her manner. Instinctively she realized that the man before her —degraded convict though he was — belonged to her own class in life. Perhaps she had divined the truth long ago. Who can fathom the subtlety of a woman's discernment?

Ivor saw and understood her emotion. "You believe me!" he cried. "Thank God for that! You know that I am innocent. I feared that I should never find any one who would listen to my story. I thought God had forgotten me. But now I can believe in His mercy and goodness."

"Hush! God never forgets," whispered Sonia, "though His remembrance sometimes seems long delayed. I believe your story. I have heard of similar things before, and I blush for my own country when I think that such wickedness can be safely carried out under the sanction of the government. If I thought that my influence would avail at the present time I would bid you stay while I sought to convince my father. But I am terribly afraid that I should fail, and then your life would surely be taken. It is best that you should escape now, and I am certain that in the future your name will be cleared and full justice will be done."

"Yes, it is better so," stuttered Ivor. "My companion, too, is the victim of a plot. He tells me so, and I believe him."

"You will both be happy again," whispered Sonia. "Your part in this insurrection was ordered by God. It is the first step toward that ending which shall bring retribution to the wicked, and to you and your friend your rightful places in the world."

As she spoke she leaned closer to Ivor. Her tearful eyes and blushing cheeks showed in the dim glow of the candle. A passionate expression of the love — for love it was — that filled his heart surged to Ivor's lips, but with a fierce effort he choked it down. What right had he — a convicted felon — to speak of love? He remembered her words of hope, and a confident conviction that they would come true sprang up in his mind. For the moment he felt supremely happy.

"I shall never forget you," he whispered. "Under other circumstances I would dare to speak things to which my lips are now tightly sealed. By your aid I am going to seek freedom and justice, and I believe I shall find them. When I come into my heritage, and no stain rests on my name, may I come to you again and say that which I dare not say now?"

He paused, frightened at his own temerity. Then, emboldened by her silence, and scarce knowing what he did, he seized her hand and pressed it to his lips.

"Farewell now," she whispered in a faint voice, gently withdrawing her hand from his grasp. "God be with you, and keep you in his care through perils and dangers."

She turned, and crossed the room. Going swiftly and silently by Gogol she descended the stairs, and the echo of her soft tread died away.

* * *

CHAPTER IX

Ivor remained for a time as though in a trance, repeating over and over to himself Soma's last words, and trying to recall the lineaments of her sweet face. The hope — nay, the belief that she was not indifferent to him had come upon him so suddenly that it seemed more of a dream than a reality. He forgot everything for the moment but this new found happiness, and the spell was only broken when Gogol strode across the room.

Then came the reaction, and Ivor sank back among the pillows, dizzy from weakness and the shooting pains in his head. He felt better presently, and in composed tones told Gogol of the plan of escape which Sonia's gratitude had led her to devise. They discussed it in all its bearings until a late hour, and then fell asleep.

The morning ushered in a day of constant dread and apprehension, for there was no slight possibility that orders would be given to have the prisoners moved at once to stronger quarters. In order to obviate this they feigned to be far weaker than they really were. It was easy acting, since their wounds still gave them some pain. Gogol's broken arm was beginning to knit, but his head was badly bruised and so was Ivor's.

The deception may have been noticed by the baker, who brought in food and drink three times, and by the Cossack, Sasha, who was guard in the room all day; but if so they made no sign. The latter especially preserved a stolidly indifferent demeanor, and it was hard to believe that he had allied himself with Sonia to aid the escape of the prisoners.

The surgeon did not call, and the wearisome day came safely to a close. Supper was served at dusk and both men ate heartily with a view to what lay before them. An hour later, when the blackness and silence of night had settled down on the surrounding town, the Cossack took his departure, and the prisoners found themselves alone. The time had come to act, and the knowledge of what they had at stake made them cool and clear headed. Ivor helped Gogol into his heavy cloak, and then put his own on. He produced the flask given him by Sonia, and both took a sip. The contents proved to be vodka.

"I feel equal to a nine mile tramp now," said Ivor. "My pain and dizziness have disappeared."

"It's false strength though, my lad," muttered Gogol. "Still, if we can keep it up until we reach the boat, our legs will have a long rest. I can't do much rowing with one arm — that's what worries me."

"Never mind, I can row for two," replied Ivor. "I used to be a pretty good oarsman, and I don't believe my hand has lost its cunning. Come on, I am eager to make a trial of it."

They listened a moment to make sure that all was quiet, and then with cautious steps they descended the stairs, and passing through a narrow hall came to the rear door, which they opened softly. In the dim light they saw Sasha standing a few paces away with his back toward them.