Five Cent Wide Awake Library (vol. 2) (1897 06 04)
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YOUNG JACK HARKAWAY IN THE WILDS OF SIBERIA. But there was a deep underhand purpose in his mind all the time. Young Jack was not plotting against the Russian government or empire. He just wanted to find out the facts of the case as he had done in Cuba and elsewhere. Irrosk knew that Jack was very rich. Report had it that he was a millionaire, and for once rumor spoke the truth. Jack was very wealthy. His father had not given him much. made for himself. It was his spirit of adventure that had done it. The idea Irrosk had in his head was this. To begin with, Prince Komeski, Chief of the Russian police, had made him governor of Irkutsk. This was an important position. He would have unlimited power. In fact, he could do exactly as he liked. Now he argued that if Jack was consigned to the most bitter sort of captivity and slavery he would be glad to buy himself otf. But he did not yet know Jack’s obstinate disposition. You can bring a horse to the water, but you cannot make him drink. ; So it was with Jack. He might be led, but not driven. Yet Irrosk was firmly of opinion that he could by coercion com- pel Jack to give him an amount which would be a handsome com- petency for life. This was what he was working for. He intended Young Jack to be his victim, and it was not a bac scheme, How it turned out will be seen as our story proceeds. Having gained full power to act as he pleased from the chief of the police, Prince Komeski, the villain, with a respectful bow quitted the office. He walked about a quarter of a mile until he came to a small, modest looking hotel. This he entered. In the hall he found a man who had evidently been in waiting, for he approached him with outstretched hand, It was Hunston. Jack’s most implacable foe. He and Irrosk were working together to accomplish their end. One wanted revenge; the other, money. Snow began to fall ere he reached his hotel where he lived whenever What he possessed he had he lived in St. Petersburg. It was not a fashionable resort, but at the same time it was com- fortable, homely, and just the kind of a place for a detective or a com- mercial traveler to stay at. Walking into the cafe, which was fitted up with sofas and chairs, which invited ease and rest, he sat down. An attendant brought him coffee and a cigar, which he lighted and smoked placidly. It was pow midday. Presently a man entered and shook hands with him. -He was Hunston, who followed Jack like a shadow wherever he went. Out of a mad desire for revenge for an injury done to one of his fam- ily years ago by Jack’s father ke had tried to kill him. Several attempts had been made. In all these he had failed. Sinee he had made the acquaintance of Young Jack’s Russian foe, Irrosk, he had gone on another tack, This was to hunt Jack down and screw all the money he could out of him. He wanted to impoverish him. The two villains sat down together. “ How is business?” asked Hunston, your idea?” “« Sehr gut!” replied Irrosk. **Tg all settled? “Everything. Nicholai will take him to the secret meeting place of the Nihilists to-night, at eight o’clock, No. 10 River street, in this city. “« And then?” “I shall raid the place with a posse of police, and we will railroad Harkaway to the wilds of Siberia.” “‘What good will that do us ?” ‘©A lot.” ‘But we shall be far away.” ‘Not so. Iam appointed governor of Irkutsk. You can come with me to that place. The prisoner will be made to work in the quick- silver mines there.” ‘Good, he will be under our eyes.” “Under our lash. I will knout him once a day,” said Irrosk. There was a terrific gleam in his fierce eye and his mustache bristled as he spoke. E The punishment of the knout was inhuman. A man is stripped naked and tied toa post, The executioner has a long knotted whip, which he throws round the body of hia victim. It is wielded by a practised hand. Every coil of the lash lacerates the body, skin. : Even women are subjected to this torture in Russia. “Does the prince relish tearing away strips of ‘highly honored by the casual notice of such a man as the police spy. ‘eat as much humble pie as you liked to subject him to. Many people have been known to expire under the punishment. ~ Ivis ofteu a death penalty. “We can do what we like with him in your new Hunston. “T should. rather think so,” replied Irrosk, ‘and if he does not come down with a million of roubles, let him look out for himself.” « That is your decision.” district,” observed ‘Undoubtedly. Pay up or die. will kill him by inches.” *« T should like to help you.” - ‘By all means. Let it be an assisting game. Come with me and share the proceeds,” “ Willingly. You are the sort of man I like to meet, with.” ‘Oh! Jam right enough when you know me and treat me well.” *¢ That I am sure to do.” ‘*T believe you. We have met before, and I don’t think you are a man of a quarrelsome disposition.” “True. Ican be a good friend and a strong hater at the same time. For you, amity—for Harkaway, hatred to the end.” “ Bravo! I love a good hater!” cried [rrosk. «« In me you find one,” replied Hunston. “« We have met before. St. Peter! We are not mere acquaintances of yesterduy.” ** Indeed, no.” *« Join me in a glas# of vodka and a caviar sandwich. We will lunch. Nicholai will be here directly if he follows ny instructions.” “Can you trust him?” ** With my life, I reckon.” Trrosk explained to him his plan of action in regard to Young Juck, and Lhe part that Nicholai, the traitor, was to play in it. It sounded like a romance. But it was not so. The plot was a bitter reality in all ita revolting details. Jack was to be sacrificed for two reasons. AR The greed for gold in Irrosk for the first part, and the hate of Huns- ton for the second. : Lunch was ordered and spread out on a small table, at which both — sat down, ‘ First came a dish of oysters, then caviar, which is the roe of that_ king fish, the sturgeon. This was followed by broiled chickens, stewed pigeons and mushrooms, lobster salad, olives and wine. Neither Irrosk nor Hunston ever spared money when it was a ques- tion of gratifying their appetites. * Epicures they both were. Their motto was this: Be happy while you can. If in full strength and health why not enjoy yourself. You cannot live forever. You may grow old, but you may die — young. In the midst of life we are in death. Here to-day and gone — to-morrow. Illness may befall us. If we have the sense of taste, let us pamper the appetite. Why should we live on bread and water when we can afford to buy champagne and turtle. Can aman take his money to the grave? Enjoy the day, to the winds with to-mor- i row. ae Sufficient for the day was the evil thereof. \ Scarcely had they finished their lunch than Nicholai made his ap- — pearance. ; He was a little old man, dressed in the attire of an ordinary citizen in decorous black clothes, and a fur cap with ear-mufis. - His manner was civil, almost cringing, and he looked as if he If he does not give me the cash, I could © The word coward was written on his paper-colored face. j Any student of human nature, character reader, or physiognomist could read him, ; *% you in the face. The fact was he was a jail-bird. ; He had been ten years in a Russian prison for theft, and he had — upon him the peculiar shirking, tired expression that characterizes — everyone who has been behind the iron bars, | eee * Take a seat, my man!” exclaimed Hanston. oa sae interposed Irrosk, ‘‘I do not associate with fellows like — this. Y “ What then?” LY ‘“‘T employ them, and if they do not obey my orders they find them- selves in the wrong box mighty quick.” ** Ah, I see; he is a servant.” ee” “Call him a serf. I cannot make him my equal, for, believe me, Tes am particular in my‘choice of friends.” F ioe ‘Pardon me; you are right and I am wrong,” answered Hunston. — Nicholai bowed with his usual subservience and smiled, as if he fell * Any report to make?” asked Irrosk. f ec * Yes, sir,” replied Nicholai. ‘The band meet to-night as usual der the presidency of Michelvitch.” iy ‘« Hal is he to the fore again?” io ‘* He is.” , of 2 rs eee “T count that man the most dangerous in Russia to-day. My net bas many meshes. We shall have a good haul.” Rie « Will your net oe big enough for your fish?” _ ig «You will see ere the clock strikes twelve this night,” Irrosk plied. ; Y *
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