THE Winning of Isolde.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXIII, Issue 165, 14 July 1902, Page 6

THE Winning of Isolde.

By St. GEOKGE RATHBORNE. Author of "Dr. Jack," "Dr. Jack's Widow," "Miss Caprice," "AWante At Bold," " Little Miss Millions," etc.

A ROMANCE OF THE RUSSIAN BORDER

CHAPTER XXIX. UNDER THE PRIESTLY VESTMENTS. When Dugdale had seen the last of -the general he proceeded to calmly finish his interrupted luncheon, nor did his appetite appear to have been in the least disturbed by the consciousness that he had just flatly declined an opportunity to go scot-free under certain conditions. Two very imexpected visitors had ,<Sonie. upon him within the hour. Who would be next? He hoped there would be no third, because he could not tnink of any one else who might desire to interview him save the noble baron, and if he came it would in all probability only be to taunt him. Better for all concerned that tins nobleman remain away, less some one should get hurt, Dugdale finished his meal thoughtfully, for he certainly 'had much to ponder over. This was v big game ne had entered upon, and one that called for all his reserve resources. Indeed he believed it meant more ■than life to him, since success would prevent the wanton sacrifice iof.a lovely girl, and probably give her into Ms ■keeping. Under these circumstances, therefore it was only natural that he should proceed with tlie greatest caution, since a blunder night rum all. Of course his line of action was circumscribed to a certain extent; on ■this nio-ht he expected to do some heroic work ot the tunnel, and have it so arranged that an hour s labour later on would accomplish the tapping part. ... . After he found himself free within the walls of Smolensk, the more dimcult part of his undertaking was bound to come up. It almost staggered him to thmlc ot attempting- it alone; how he yearned for the comradeship of that bold spirit, Vladimir, and mentally mourned because he was not within reach. Dugdale had again touched the avaricious guard with a silver influence, ■and the result was manifest in a goodly supply of candles that would probably last him until tiffin txme lU ithe morning. Long he lay there, his brain busy in forming various plans for action, which in the main were discarded almost as soon as fashioned. It was while his mind was still m something of a chaotic state that to his surprise and disgust he heard yoiees without, speaking in Russian, and realised that he was about to •have another visitor. n "This must lie my 'At home' day, grinned Owen, as he ran his fingers through his curly locks and sat up on his pallet. Sure enough, there came the same old jingle of the key in the padlock, ■a, sound with which he was rapidly becoming- familier, and which announced that he might expect a visitor. Was it the baron? Xow, strangely enough, there had ibeen a great oversight committed by those usually intelligent soldiers of the Czar when Dugdale was marched to the dungeon. They somehow neglected to search his person, and as a consequence he had been enabled to purchase candles by the wholesale with which to cheer his lonely 'hours. Even more important than his purse was another thing that reraained in his pocket; this was his little revolver, ready for use. He had rejoiced in the possession of this article more than a little, for it enabled him to back up any move he might make. And with the instinctive feeling that this new-corner must be the baron, unable to resist the temptationof visiting the prisoner to taunt him, Dugdale ground his teeth together savagely: "Perhaps it might not be well for ■him to go so far as to strike me, even with half a dozen bullies at his back. I will use it on him, come what may," was his mental comment. Then the door opened wide enough to admit some one, and was immediately closed again. The baron? Well, hardly, for he would never dare trust himself inside that cage alone with the man whom lie hated so bitterly. Perhaps a hired assassin, sent by that nobleman, who might have conceived the notion that Dugdale was more than an object of ordinary interest in the eyes of the Princess Isolde, and must be effectually removed from •Iris path, especially since General Gratscheit gave signs of rather fancying the fellow. When this thought flashed into Owen's mind he made haste to gain Oiis feet. If he turned out to be a Oiired bravo of the Venetian type, come with dagger or stiletto to make au end of him, it were just as well that he be prepared to meet him on ■an equal footing. Even as his hand involuntarily went back to his hip pocket and closed ■upon the little instrument of defence that snuggled there, the party made sa forward movement. This brought him closer to the candle, and revealed a fact that eased Owen's mind somewhat. Why, it was only a Greek Church minister, after all. He readily recognised the familiar habiliments seen in every Russian town and village, the peculiar hat, the rough coat or robe, the heavy boots, and, prominent above all, the sign of his order. A shaggy beard, as was common, and a pair of keen eyes that glowed

in the shadow of the hat brim —these Dugdale noted in a trice as he surveyed his strange visitor.

It Avould be hard to fully do justice to the many thoughts that chased each other through his mind during the exceedingly brief space of tjine. Perhaps, after all. the man Avas a desperado in the hire of the baron, persuaded to adopt the guise of a priest in order the better to gain an audience with the prisoner. Then, again, if he should turn out to be the genuine article, what business brought him here? Dugdule remembered that when men are condemned to die, they are usually allowed an opportunity to interview a father confessor and make their peace with Heaven. Couldn't it be possible they had i decided to shoot him in the morning , ? That the malign influence of the ran- j corous baron had become paramount, and that the coming , of the minister was intended to prepare him for sudden translation from scenes terrestrial to scenes celestial? The notion was in one way absurd, and yet somehow it guve Dugdale an uneasy feeling that was marked by a shudder. After advancing several paces, the long-coated visitor raised his arms solemnly. Dug'dale half expected some Greek invitation to jofin in a prayer or supplication for grace, but instead was surprised to hear in plain Russian: "Little master, I have come!" The voice thrilled him, it was so familiar; and yet he could no.t remember ever having been on friendly, terms with one of these, convivial spirits clothed in the vestments of the Greek Church. He caught his breath and leaned forward to gaze the more eagerlj r . Some dimly-fashioned suspicion was taking form" in his mind, and yet it was so astounding he found great difficulty in giving it the least credence. That term "little master" was used -almost exclusively among , the Cossacks, and At this moment the priest had raised his hand, and snatched from his head the regulation hat, and, behold! Dug-dale had a revelation! ''Vladimir!" he said, softly, for the other had a finger on his beareded lips, to indicate silence. Another moment and Dug-dale had thrown his arms about the big , Cossack, regardless of dirty coat and all. The fact of Vladimir risking hiss very life to gain this interview touched him deeply; he could never forget, it—never. They sat down and eagerly conversed, for there was much to tell, and the supposed priest had only asked for hatf-an-hour's interview, though this might probably be lengthened with the usual silver appeal. First, Owen demanded that the other tell him how, in the name of all that was wonderful, he came to venture back into Smolensk after successfully escaping, and by means of what magic he came to don the garb i of a priest. When it was told, the mystery proved a very simple thing. Vladimir had at one time been inclined to take orders in the church, and progressed up to a ecrtain point, so that he was well' able to represent a priest, given the garb. When he . made his escape, he did not have much trouble in eluding the troopers who followed for a short distance... Knowing, the country thoroughly, Vladimir soon found shelter with one of his fellows from the Don, who lived the life of a shepherd not more than a mile from the walls of Smolensk. This man came into town, and, by various means, learned that the gentleman who had been taken prisoner was shut up in a dungeon under the famous old citadel. To see his kind employer, whom he loved, and arrange in some way for his escape, was now the one thought in- the faithful Cossack's mind. Accordingly, what he considered a remarkably clever scheme was arranged. He had procured through his friend what he wanted in the way of priestly garments, borrowing from the stock of a minister Avho had gone on a mission to Moscow, where there was a great religious feast. "Listen, little master, I shall dress you in these clothes; see, I have a double allowance of everything. Then you shall walk out when the time comes as free as air." '"Leaving you here? I think I see myself doing such a knavish thing-!" said Dugdale, promptly. '"But I will not remain long-. Look, this flask of vodky is drugged like the other that served us well. In passing out you give this to the guard, with the silver. In a. little while, when he is getting sleep and stupid, I will have made a figure and laid it on the bed, as if it were you. Then I shall pound on the door and cry for him to open. When he does, I ask him if he means to keep me in here all night. You may believe the barbarian will stare and think himself bewitched, but the music of silver roubles In his hand will cause him to forget, and I, too, may see the stars. What think you?'"' "It is a bold plan, but the risk is too great. I will not hear of it, Vladimir. Perhaps, w r ere there no other way, I might be forced to accept; but, listen, while I tell you how I shall leave this place and when." Such devotion on the part of Vladimir, who had avowed himself ready to meet death in his cause, if necessary, Dugdale more than a little. " I In fact, he never remembered being drawn so warmly toward a man. He narrated what he iad to tell as briefly as possible, for time flew, and there was much to arrange concerning- their plans. It was all so wonderful tliat Vladimir listened with open mouth. The rait of Isolde was touched upon geat-

ly, but that of General Gratscheff with his offer of conditional freedom Dugdale made the most of. Then the Cossack understood /why the master did cot see fit,to try his plan. He still had confidence iv it, and would only'too gladly accept, the | chances; but perhaps,..after all, the legacy of poor Gourko, P : ' s t lieutenant in his Majesty's service, had best be utilised: there might be a magic charm in the fact that it came from a martyr whose innocent blood called aloud 'fior -mstiee. Quickly, then, they talked the matter over, and decided when and where they might meet should Dugdale be so "fortunate as to get nut on the following night. He felt more or less curiosity concerning- the presence of the pseudo priest, and asked how permission had been gained whereby he might visit the prisdner. Vladimir explained it was an unwritten law that a regularly ordained priest of the orthodox Greek Church had the right and privilege of seeing one in durance vile at any and all times, and that, the soldier who dared refuse such permission would quickly •feel the ill will of the ecclesiastics, who are a power in Russian politics. Hence, once properly attired, it was an easy thing , for him to gain an interview, though psossibly those in charge may have considered it strang-e that a Russian priest would wish to see a foreigner, and suspected that he must be the emissary of the lovely lady in the case, for doubtless au inkling of the truth concerning the leading people involved had gone the rounds in garrison circles ere now. Happily all was arranged as well as the wretched conditions would allow by the time the door opened and the guard announced he could no longer sanction the presence of the priest within the cell, so the representative of the clergy withdrew with due solemnity and mummery. (To be continued.)