CHAPTER XXVII. NIHILIST OR SOLDIER.

Te Aroha News, Volume VII, Issue 381, 29 June 1889, Page 4

CHAPTER XXVII. NIHILIST OR SOLDIER.

At different times during the afternoon they saw through cheir air - hole an armed guard pass on the upper side of the quarry, showing that all the environs of the fortress ■were being guarded. This was an- evidence that a secret passage was suspected, otherwise there would have been no sense in placing guards in such out-of-the-way placesSeveral times during the few hours before dark Wat had run back to the end of the passage to learn if any attempt was yot being made to discover a secret way out of the room. If any attempt was being made it was where Wat could not hear it, for it was not until darkness had fairly come that he heard the unmistakable sound of a pick in the room. The moment the sound reached his ear he ran back and exclaimed : • We must take our chances now and go, for they are at the floor of your room.' 4 1 atn ready. And have no fears for my courage. I am only a weak little woman, but I can be brave. 1 'I do not doubt it.' He first stole out to reconnoitre. Climbing the face of the quarry on the side where he had seen the guard pass so often, he waited for him to come around. Tho soldier came at his regular methodical pace, thinking no doubt of everything else but the man lurking along the edge of the quarry. A sudden plan entered Wat's head. The soldier came nearer and nearer, and Wat drew himself up into a heap that resembled anything but a human being when seen through the gloom. The man was not three yards oft. Now he was by tho very side of the motionless heap. If he saw it at all, he paid no attention to ib. He had passed Wat. And now, like a tiger-cat, the detective leaped on him and brought him strangling to the ground. To bind him, gag him, and then carry him around to where he could descend with him into the quarry, was not a long task. He left him under the walnut tree, and then went up for Vera. Her he left at the farther side of the quarry, first telling her what he was going to do in order that she might not be alarmed when she saw a soldier approaching her. For it was his intention to play soldier for awhile. He robbed the man of his coat, hat, and rifle, and returning to Vera, started out with her. He led the way, while she followed close behind him. His present plan was to get as far away from the fortress as possible. He knew that every avenue of escape out of the city would be well guarded, but near the fortress all the exits would be particulai'ly well-cared for. They proceeded in this way for some distance, and Wat had begun to think that he would reach the thickly-settled part of the city without detection, when he suddenly found himself confronted by a sentinel, who demanded : i ' Who goes there?' I Wat's only answer was a blow with the butt of his rifle, which laid the soldier at full length on the ground. It was the only thing to do, but a dangerous thing nevertheless, for here the streets had an occasional passer, and one of them might take it into his head to inquire into the cause of the fracas. Without waiting for such a thing, however, Wat hurried on, with Vera holding by his arm, Presently they could here a shot from a rifle, and they knew that somebody had found the soldier in the street. Taking Vera under his aim, Wat almost ran until he saw some people ahead of him, when he changed to a walk, though not yet giving up her arm. Now they could hear an alarm sounded by the local watch, and they knew that in a few moments the street would be alive with soldiers. And worse yet, the rifle of some guard was now fired five times in rapid succession, conveying too evidently some sort of intelligence to every soldier; within hearing of the sound. The outlook was a desperate one, but it was not unexpected by either of the fugitives. t >„ 'If it comes to the worst,' said Vera, as they hurried along, * do you save yourself. There is no need for both of us being caught.' 'It has not come to the worst yet. I never see the end until I reach it. As for leaving you, that is out of the question. While I live I remain with you, for capture now means a horrible death.' • 1 shall not be captured. I have your' dagger. What is that ?' • Three soldiers;: Let them look to their lives now. I have avoided killing, but if it be a choice* of fcheir lives or mine, I will try to make ito theirs.'' : < - ' • Who goes there ?' cried one of the soldiers at sight of' the couple. '•'" • Only 1 a' comrade on a spree. Let me I pass or I'll be 1 in a scrape. 1 ; '

• , They, were, { in the, .lighted streets t now, and jaebple] were plenty in the .windows .and doors, 'but nonejui;the streets. ' „ ; At the first, sound of tlie.alarra they had all . been ordered indoors. , f Let, me .see this, comrade,' said one of the men, advancing cloee to Wat. , ' All of you look at me. One of you may know me.' , , , 5 ,; He advanced quickly, toward them aalfl f for he did not want them to separate 01 to have him at other than close quarters.- | They peered suspioiously at him as he came up co them, bub he gave them no time to pet. , As soon as he was near enough ho suddenly raised his rifle, and with a forward thi-übb crushed the man's nose and stunned him. Then, before either of the others could do anything, he swung his gun about and lot it fall with stunning effect on the head of, the nearest. As quickly as this was done, however, tho third soldier had had time to recover his wits. i ,- He raised his gun and, taking quick aim fired at Wat. j The ball passed through Wat's clothing, and carried away a piece of flesh. He lelt the smart, and not knowing how badly he was hurt, sprang at the man, who had retreated a step, and felled him with a crushing blow. By this time other soldiers hod been attracted by the noise, and their steps could be heard rapidly approaching. The end of. their flight seemed close at hand, and the brave little countess, true to her determination, had drawn her dagger, to die rather than be captured for the cruel fate reserved for her, when Wat, with a last desperate attempt, dashed into one of the houses, through tho men standing there, dragging Vera after him. As soon as he was in the hall he turned and caught the countess in his arms, and fled with her up the stairs. He heard a step behind him, and when he reached the fii\st landing, turned quickly to stride the man down. ' Hold !' whispered the man. ' What's your crime ?' ' Nothing. We are escaping from prison.' ♦ What charge ?' ' Nihilism.' * Are you guilty V ' No, but we will be if ever we get our freedom. Curses on such a tyrannous government !' 1 You are not a soldier V ' No ; I stole the coat and hat when I escaped.' ' Will you risk your life on the truth of what you say ?' 'I will.' ' And the woman's ?' ' I speak for myself,' said Vera, boldly. ' I do not know whnt you can do for us, but I swear to you that I will henceforth do my utmost againsc the infamous government that, without a bit of proof and without a ghost of a trial, would condemn me to the knout to gratifiy the malice of a vile woman.' ' You are Vera Radolinski ?' •lam.' ' I will detain you no longer,' said the man, with a sudden coldness. • Stop !' said Wat. ' You are about to make a fatal mistake. You can save us. Do so, and I will explain to you what will save your society annihilation/ ' Who are you ?' ' I am the man who informed the Chief of Police that the Czar was to be killed.' ' A traitor V ' No ; as much a patriot as you. There ! Do you hear ? The guard is at the door. Will you save us and your country, or will you let us be taken ?' ' Come ! if you have deceived me, your life will be worth less than it is at this moment.'