United States or Austria ? Vote for the TOP Country of the Week !
He had overheard but little that had passed between Paul Zobriskie and the unsuspicious young American, but while his eyes appeared directed in some other way, he saw the well-known Russian Nihilist deliver him a parcel, knowing him to be going to St.
The prince regarded him a moment, and then turned to read more of the letter, wondering at the same time why Zobriskie should have trusted such a fatal document to any but a tried and trusted Nihilist.
But that fatal letter cut him off, while yet his hope was in the bud, as well as other prominent members of the order, for eight others whose names were mentioned by Zobriskie were also arrested and sentenced to exile in the terrible mines of Siberia.
Will you swear to me to place this envelope in his hand, allowing no one else to see or handle it?" asked the stranger, with great earnestness. "I will swear to do so if you will tell me your name, and assure me that I shall not be breaking any law of my country by so doing." "Paul Zobriskie is my name," said he, after hesitating an instant, and gazing sharply at the brave youth before him.
If what you say of yourself is true, why did you not appeal to the American Minister at St. Petersburg?" "I was not permitted to do so, sir, but was thrown into a dungeon." "Did you know Zobriskie was a Nihilist?" "I did not. He accosted me when on the eve of sailing, and asked me as a favor to hand the letter to Prince Mastowix. I did so without suspecting that I was in any danger."
"Paul Zobriskie is the greatest terror that Russian tyranny knows. He is a bugbear; but why should he be in correspondence with Prince Mastowix?" "I know nothing about it." "There is a mystery somewhere," mused the man. "If there is, I know nothing about it." "Were I at liberty, I would take pains to find out what this mystery is." "But how can they hold me?"
William Barnwell was thrown into a dark and loathsome dungeon, from whence the body of many a poor prisoner had been borne after death, produced by torture and starvation. "Curses on my luck!" he muttered, after collecting his thoughts for a moment. "It must be that I have been betrayed by that Paul Zobriskie into the hands of the Russian authorities.
"Wait until we see whether it is or not," replied the haughty aristocrat, and he proceeded to open the letter. Whatever it contained, it suddenly made a change in facial expression of the prince, who glanced from it to Barnwell. "Do you know this Paul Zobriskie?" he asked, earnestly. "No. I never met him until I saw him on the steamer, and he asked me to deliver this letter to you," said he.
"Well?" said the prince, looking at him inquiringly. "Are you the Prince Mastowix?" asked Barnwell, calmly. "I am. Who are you?" "William Barnwell, of New York, United States of America," said he proudly. "Well, what have you to do or say to me?" asked the prince, haughtily. "Only this, prince, and a very little. On the eve of leaving New York I was approached by one Paul Zobriskie "
"Call Tobasco," said the president, and a guard soon produced the police spy, and he was sworn. "Do you recognize that document?" the president asked, handing him Zobriskie's letter? "I do." "Give us the history of it." "I first saw it in New York, in the hands of Paul Zobriskie, on board the steamer Baltic, then about to sail.
Word Of The Day