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[ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.] "LOVERS VENGEANCE." BY ED. WM. TOWLER. Author of "The Mystery of Merwyn," etc. CHAPTER XX.—TO THE FRONTIERS OF LIBERTY. "Follow me, all ig well," he cried cheerily. We are safe for to-night at least, and to- morrow we must be away." They descended into the next room, and then to the snug little room in the rear. Upon the table was a. bottle of champagne with three glasses. Mademoiselle," said Orloff, pouring out a glass for each, and raising his own, "I drink to you, to your happy meeting with the Count of Orenburg to M. Farquhar here, to whom we all owe so much; to his meeting with Pauline when we make the prontier; and, finally. to our great good luck to-night. May it continue to the end." He drank his wine with great gusto. Feodora, with eyes sparkling, raised her glass. I drink Monsieur Orloff, to your great kind, nese, to your noble heart, and to your harbour of refuge. To you, M. Farquhar! I find no words to express what is in my heart for you. These are times when words are far too feeble. It is so with me now; but this I know-you will find in the love of Pauline a likeness of the joy you have brought to me. Through your instru. mentality I am 'brought from death to life. Messieurs, God bless you both." Farquhar was deeply touched by the little speech. Mademoiselle," he answered, it is a pleasure, indeed, to serve you. If you had been unnerved, hysterieail. through all ;the agonising moments, I could not have wondered; events would almost have justified it. Instead your calm bearing was to me a comfort and a stay. Mademoiselle, the honour is mine. I drink to our meeting beyond the frontiers of Russia; to our meeting under Freedom's flag; to our'es- cape from under the paw of the Bear." After a pause, Farquhar said, Orloff what ,about your priceless heirloom? 'In my family these ten generations! he whined, giving a ,capital imitation of Orloff. The little man's eyes glistened. "Monsieur, I would have broken priceless Dresden at that moment. The panel would have betrayed you. for all the packing at the Back." Farquhar looked at his watch. Great Scot! Jt is two o'clock. My friends, we will discuss matters later. I confess I am sleepy. We must leave this house by hook or by crook to-morrow." Early the next morning they were astir, and after a brief meal the ways and means of escape were talked over. Orloff lighted a cigarette, and, 'passing the box over to Farquhar, asked "Has monsieur a plan?" "None friend, at the moment. We have the choice of three trunk routes—to Moscow, .and from there double back to Smolensk, Minsk, and so to Cracow, and the Hungarian frontier • again, from here, through Pskov, Vilna, Grod- no, and Warsaw, then across the Prussian bor- der at Soldau thirdly, Viborg, Helsingfors, and boat to Stockholm. I think the main routes less likely to be watched than the more remote ones. It will naturally be thought that we shall try the quieter ones. What say you?" "I am with you," Orloff replied. "Let it be the Prussian frontier. I do not care for Hel- singfors if the ice is bad we shall be in a trap. No let us stick to a land frontier." "Shall we separate or go together?" asked Farquhar. "I do not mean separate routes only. but different parts of the train, and travel as strangers. Say you alone Feodora and I to gether—I must not leave her." Together you and Feodora—I alone," as- sented Orloff. Indeed, I can travel openly. I am not under arrest. !Now, monsieur, my plan is this Let Soldau on the Prussian frontier be our goal. I will wire it in code to the Count at Berne, and go myself to Warsaw, taking my chance of slipping through to Prussian terri- tory. For yourself and Feodora I have an idea. ,][ will get two of the Brotherhood to procure passports to Soldau. They shall be handed to you the two lying hid meanwhile, so that it shall appear as if they have really taken the journey. These passports can be procured by morning, therefore we must wait to-day I am .afraid. You had better go as a middle class farmer, and Feodora as your son. What do you think of the plan ? "I cannot suggest a better, my friend; in- deed, it is capital, and should succeed." "Good Now you retire to the secret cham. ber, and I will go out for the passports and ne- cessary disguises. If anyone should knock, do not answer; it is known that I live alone." The plan was explained to Feodora at break- fast, after which Orloff departed upon his er- rand. The day passed without incident, and when Orloff returned he was able to produce the necessary passports and the disguises. Feo- dora blushed charmingly when she found she was to be the son of Farquhar and don male at tire. The passport was made out to Peter and Paul Loffenski, father and son, journeying to Soldau to visit a dying relative. It was with a face suffused with colour that Feodora stepped from her room in her dress as Paul Loffenski. "I am proud of my son," said Farquhar. Monsieur," she replied with a demure smile, "I am proud of my father." Whereat, being young, they both laughed, even in the face of a situation that might well have appalled them ° Monsieur Orloff," Farquhar called. Orloff came running, bis kindly face puckered up into a smile. "Mademoiselle," lie said gallantly, "were I a girl I protest I should love you at first sight, and tell you. so, if I were not in morbal dread of the inches of your father." The morning broke cold and forbidding. They held a last Council of war, at which Orloff ex- plained details. "I go to Warsaw by the same train as your- self monsieur; but from the moment I leave thig house we are strangers. No word must pass between us—no sign of recognition." Good," said Farquhar. We will just sihake hands and say God speed,' and then. away, boldly trying our luck in the busy streets in, broad daylight. It is .a daring move, but some- how I fancy it will succeed. They are sure to be more alert at night, thinking we may favour darkness in preference to open daylight. Now, again, God bless you." They shook hands, as men shake when they are facing death, as men who lead a forlorn hope, who may never meet again. Feodora could not stay her tears, and Orloff, unwilling to pro long a scene that was at once distressing and sorrowful, said briefly We are in the hollow of His hand." Then. silently opening the door, he went out. Five minutes later, Farquhar and Feodora essayed the start and, once out in the busy streets, they felt safer. No one appeared to notice them, neither did their dress seem to cause suspicion, people merely taking them for what they were—a farmer and his son. The station was reached without mishap, and their spirits rose considerably in consequence; hut both felt that the crucial time was to come Amidst a bustling crowd they took their seats", booking to Vilna. The ticket inspector eyed them narrowly, but passed on. They saw Orloff walk down the platform to a compartment in the rear; but never a vestige of recognition Passed between them. Five minutes later the heavy-toned bell rang, and the express steamed °Ufc of St. Petersburg. The eventful journey had begun. For the second time in his life did John Farquhar leave the city in disguise. Some rfifty miles down the line, in the open country, the train was stopped and a request tor permits made. Farquhar's heart beat as the official read: "Peter and Paul Loffenski. to Soldau; good!" and passed on. They had a basket of provisions with them, and munched away, much ag a couple of people of their class might. That simple act did more possibly to allay suspicion than even their dis- guise, for though they knew it not sharg, eyes had scrutinised them once or twice. It was dark when they reached Vilna, and there they put up for the night, appearing to be in no hurry to complete their journey. Afl the train went on, they saw Orloff still in his com- partment going direct to Warsaw. The next evening they themselves stood upon the platform of Warsaw station. Was Orloff across the frontier, or was he in Warsaw still? The- would have given much to know. One thing they did not know, and that was that the sergeant whom Farquhar had stunned, when he was rescuing Pauline in her father's house, was spending his leave in War- saw. CHAPTER XXI.—A DANGEROUS ENCOUNTER. Streloff sat in his bureau in St Petersburg once more. The hard, stern face was even grimmer than usual; the man was consumed with an insatiable desire for vengeance upon the Count, Farquhar—all of that accursed com- pany that had known of his degradation in the house of the Countess of Vourevna. He was sparing no pains to achieve his ends. He touched a bell at his side and one of his most trusted spies entered. Report!" he said briefly. The man saluted, General, we traced a man answering the de scription of this Englishman to an inlli near the docks. This man drank many vodkas, our eyes upon him all the while. Then, overcome, his head fell upon his arm in drunken stupor. We addressed him; but he was a genuine sailor. He produced his money and wished us to drink with him. That convinced tis-only your genu- ine drunken seaman shows his money. After- wards he left. We, giving him a minute's grace, followed to track him to his home. Upon going outside we found him asleep upon a door step not fifty yards away. That was conclusive proof that he was what he professed to be. Had he been this Farquhar, he would have put as much space between us and himself as pos- sible." Proceed was all Streloff's comment. "About midnight, General, the spy Karl Finsen, watching the street in which is the house of Orloff, saw a man enter the Neva road. He followed, and lost him. Casting about to pick up his trail, the moon showed him his man hiding in a doorway. He immediately rushed forward to seize him, but the man was too strong for Karl, and left him for dead in the road. When consciousness returned, he found all his papers gone, but his money was intact." "It was this Farquhar!" hissed Streloff. "A thousand maledictions upon him. Have you had the house of Orloff searched?" Yes, my General, and found absolutely no- thing." "Did he offer resistance?" .No, General; in fact, he was the reverse- helping us in every way, so much so that in as- sisting us to move a picture in order that we might tap behind it, as we had done with the others, he knocked a really valuable vase off a high pedestal, and it fell with a crash." Streloff turned in his chair sharply. "With a crash, you say? With a. crash." Yes, my General." Idiot fool, that you are yelled Streloff. Did it not strike you that that crash might mean something?" The spy looked blankly at his master. "My General, what could it mean?" It could mean this, fool: that crash would hide the hollow ring of a panel or secret hiding place behind that picture. Back at once! Search the house again Arrest Orloff and bring him here. That man has too sharp wits to be at large longer. Come back and report here. Half an hour later the spy was back, with a white face and quivering voice. General, the man Orloff has fled. There is a secret chamber, but now it is empty-the birds have flown." He bowed his head, waiting for the storm, that he knew would come. .Streloff took some coins from a bag, saying, Here is your pay as secret service agent up to date. The State has no further need of you." The spy crept out silently, degraded and abashed. Again the door opened, this time to admit a woman. Streloff's look relaxed not one whit; sex made no difference to this man of iron. Well mademoiselle?" General, Peter and Paul Loffenski visit their dying relative in Soldau." Peter and Paul Loffenski can go to the devil!" was the brief answer. General, Peter and Paul Loffcnski are still in Petersburg." Well The permit has been used all the same." Streloff jumped at that, giving his sore back a rare twinge. Holy St. Peter You are sure of this?" "Perfectly, General. Paul Loffenski is to marry a girl I know. She told me he was go- ing to Soldau yesterday morning, but last night he met her by stealth. Enquiries elicited the fact that the permit was used—used by a tall man dressed as a farmer ,and the other a slim youth travelling as his son. John. Farquhar and Feodoar Vassilis, I make no doubt." Your news is of the highest importance," said Streloff. I shall have them yet, in spite of all. Then, ah, then, we shall see if I am to be thwarted at every turn." There was a listener at the door, drinking, in every word. to whom this was balm indeed. As the female spy came out, the listener stepped in. Streloff looked up in astonishment, for his visitor was the Countess of Vourevna. He was pleased beyond measure to see her. "Countes.s, I am honoured." "Ah, General! my estates will suit me better than the convent of the Madeleine. I want more work. Believe me, I die of ennui." "You are here at the right moment. Coun- tess. This Farquhar and Feodora Vassilis are escaping under the names of Peter and Paul Loffenski, by permit to Soldau. You know them both. Proceed direct to Warsaw search for them there, and when you have found them, wire me, and I myself will come over to see them in safe keeping. Have them arrested at once, the moment you are sure of them." "I will, General. I, like yourself, long and live only for revenge upon this Dermidoff." I thought a woman of your temperament was not made for the cloisters Countess. You shall have a special down to Warsaw. Succeed, and those incriminating papers shall be placed in your hands." General, you are kind, indeed. I shall not fail." With a smile she left, and that night arrived in Warsaw, two hours after the arrival of Far- quhar and Feodora. There was no train out of Warsaw that night so the Count-ess knew that if the fugitives had not already left they were still in the city. The Countess knew the city well, and thought that possibly Peter and Paul Loffenski, keeping up their peasant character, might be looking in shop windows in the principal streets, but she saw no one answering their description in her two hours' walking up and down. Reluctantly she took a car and returned to her hotel. It was while seated inside that she first espied Farquhar and Feodora. To the stranger they might pass for what they appeared to be, but the muscular build of the Englishman could hardly be hidden under the loose blouse of the Russian peasant. There was also the alert eve, easily to be distinguished from the lazy, som- nolent eye of the Russian. When they alighted the Countess followed, determined to track them to their destination, wherever that might be. Feodora and Farquhar walked along at a good pace for the hour was late. They were now in a less crowded part of the city-indeed, in the suburbs and the broad streets were practically deserted. Then, of a sudden, the bolt fell, equally sur- prising to the Countess as to the fugitives. A man who had been standing by a lamp at a street corner sprang forward and grabbed Far- quhar's collar in a vice-like grip. At last, my quondam inspector," he cried, we meet again." Farquhar wrenched himself round, but was unable to free himself from the grip. In so do- ing he saw the face of his captor. It was the sergeant whom he ihad stunned in the hoase of Feodor. With a quick tug the sergeant wrenched the beard away from the face of Farquhar. At that moment Zadie hurried up. "Messieurs, what is this, I pray you?" Madame," said the sergeant, this man' is a fugitive from justice, and possibly this youth also—for now I come to think, it may well be Feodor's daughter, who escaped arrest at my hands in St. Petersburg. The man struck me down from behind, and helped both Feodor and his daughter to escape and defeat the ends of justice. Look at me, you dog!" he shouted to Farquhar. Look at me Ah, you know me By St. Paul, I am right! "This. youth is Feodora Vassilis, escaped convict. Oh, oh! Here's good news A thousand roubles reward Feodor,a's heart had turned, to stone, while Farquhar, taking defeat like a man, said to the z;1 sergeant: A hit, sergeant! A hit! A fair capture All's fair in love and war. Played, and lost— well, we cannot all win. It is your turn now." For all his seeming indifference his hand stole to his pocket. He would not be taken alive; he knew Russia and Russian ways too well. The Countess broke in, speaking rapidly. You were then acting under General Stre- loff's orders when this man stunned you, ser- geant?" Yes, madame." "Look at this." Lifting the corner of her coat, she showed .him a badge of office that he had rarely seen, so high was it. Only those in the innermost circles of the secret service carried them. The ser- geant was impressed indeed. "I am here for the same purpose, you see," she said. Give that man. his beard back. So! Now .sir, adjust it. and we will move on," she said, turning to Farquhar, who was even then in the dark as to the identity of his second cap- tor. She continued: It will be all right, ser. geant; you can go now. I came to Warsaw to arrest them myself if need be. They are to go to my hotel to await the General. Arrange- ments are made for them in the event of cap- ture. Stay, here is a hundred rouble note. I will see you have the reward. Your name, ser- geant?" "Ivan Ivanovitch, madame. But can you ■manage them?" he asked in. astonishment. She went up and whispered in his ear: "They are to be taken without fuss, idiot. They have been watched all night, and I have that with me that will enforce any order I give. Now go. 18 all Warsaw to know because a ser- geant has recognised a man that's wanted?" Pardon ,madame," he said apologetically. You will see that I have credit?" I will see to that and to your promotion." The sergeant saluted and went. "Well, M. Farquhar," she said "this is well met indeed." Annd then for the first time Farquhar recog- nised his captor. CHAPTER XXII.—THE WAY OF A WOMAN. Farquhar, bewildered by the rapid turn of events, could hardly ,stammer out ,a greeting. Indeed, he did not know whether the meeting was good fortune or bad, while Feodora looked coldly upon the woman whose treachery she knew. "Monsieur," said the Countess, "to your lodging—quick There is no time to lose." Farquhar led the way to a small house where they had engaged rooms. Once inside he said "Countess, upon which side do you fight? Are you our enemy or our ally? Your ally, if you will, monsieur—if you can trust me once more." He held out his hand. "Friends are valuable Countess, and you have got me clear of the clutches of the ser- geant." Feodora, following the example of Farquhar, held out her hand also. "I am not fit to take it," said the Countess bitterly. "Countess," said Feodora softly, "did Ivan, Count of Oranburg, forgive you?" "Mademoiselle," she cried, "he did." "Then who am I to withold mine?" asked Feodora, as she took the hand of the Countess in her own. But," she continued, after this what will you do, for the sergeant will say he handed us over to you?" "There is a convent still, mademoiselle. I shall not go back to Russia. My life is over. It can do no harm to say it now. I love the Count of Oranburg. I tried to undermine his love for you, but he held true to the memory of a girl he deemed dead. When I tell you that I made his marriage with me a stipulation with Streloff you will know to what depths I had descended' Scorn me if you will, but it is right you should know all-know the wickedness of the woman whose hand you hold." Feodora, had listened, while the colour swept her face in varying emotions. ^Countess, did be, knowing this, forgive you?" 2 He forgave," ehe replied in a sobbing voice. 'I do no less. Countess," said Feodora and with all a woman's wonderful love and' sym- pathy, took her to her heart at once. After a brief pause Farquhar asked the Countess if she thought the sergeant would o0 further in the matter upon his own initiative "I do not think so," she replied. "He will drink a hole into that huncfred rouble note." But Feodora's quick brain sharpened bv the trials she had gone through, foresaw a "more terrible possibility. "Is it not reasonable," she asked, "that the sergeant may write or wire of his success to headquarters to gain kudos for himself, as well as to lay immediate claim to the reward?" He may," said Farquhar I am afraid he will. If he was sharp enough to recognise me through my disguise, he is too smart to drink himself ,silly on the hundred roubles the Count ess gave him. We are face to face with as grave a peril as we have yet stood in. We cannot leave for Soldau before seven in the morning and. as the Countess says, Streloff will come as soon as lie knows of our arrest. But I will shoot him before he touches a hair of our heads," he said fiercely. "Well," put lin the' Countes,s, "I will go flt once to my hotel and see If there is a wire from. Streloff. Meanwhile you are safe, for vou are not my prisoners?" she added, with a flash of her old spirit. After she had gone Farquhar and Feodora talked long and earnestly, and the grey dawn 9 peering through the blinds found them still awake. It was half-past five when the Countess reo turned, almost breathless, with haste. "Streloff has wired," she cried. "Listen. It is coded, I will interpret: 'Information re- ceived from Sergeant Ivanovitch, promoted to inspector. Am leaving at once.' Now, Mon- sieur Farquhar, we have no time to lose." The breakfast, was a somewhat disjointed meal, and immediately it was over the three made for the station, the Countess asserting her intention of going through with them. She hoped, through her high rank, to be of service at the frontier station of Soldau. It is about three and half hours' run from Warsaw to that place roughly about ninety mile,, or so. They Had therefore not a very long run before them. Ari lying at the station they found a scene of unusual commotion. There had been a break- down- on the Warsaw-Soldau line, and no trains were going through before mid-day at the earli- est. Here was a pretty state of'things. Far- quhar swore under hit; breath at tliic, untoward event. Upon a, seat on the platform Feodora and the Countess looked blankly at one another. Farqubar turned to a passing porter, and ask ed if they could get part of the way. Yes, they could. Monsieur might get to within eighteen miles of Soldau—a train wag being made up then. Farquhar tipped that man well. "Ladies," he said, "good news. We can get to within eighteen miles of Soldau, and from there we are sure to get a. conveyance for the rest of the journey. Had we not better go for- ward and try our luck? Anything is better than kicking our heels here with a prospect of Streloff coming at any moment." Both Feodora. and tfbe Countess were for iÏm. mediate action.. So they made their way to the train and entered a compartment in the rear. Ten minutes afterwards it steamed out of the station, and as it did so & man slipped out from behind a pillar saying: If that is not the villain Englishman and the woman Vassilis I am no soldier of the Caar. Neither is that the way to St. Petersburg. I must tell General Streloff of this. He will be here in a little over an hour." Meanwhile the fugitives were speeding on their way unconscious of the watchful eyes of the sergeant that had seen them leave. A three Wurs' run brought them to the last station to which the train could take them. Here Far- quhar wired Orloff at an address he had given, stating in cypher that they were making for the frontier four miles to the west of Soldau, and that the point aimed at was the fifth boundary hut in the forest that stretches away to Wrack- burg. They must be at that hut at all costs, have the guard seized. and the way open. The next thing was a conveyance. There was but one at the inn, and that the innkeeper de- murred .about letting out. At last, after a fabu- lous price had been agreed upon, and precious time wasted in haggling, they drove laway in the last dash for freedom. Beyond the frontier, only a, few miles away were waiting those who loved them, unable to help—able only to wait and hope. (To be Continued).

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