ix, with whom I was engaged
with others in a plot against Nicholas, Czar of Russia. I was worth a
million of rubles, and the whole of it I pledged to the cause of human
liberty in Russia. Mastowix knew this, and he also knew that other
members of the society had large sums thus pledged. After a while I half
suspected him, and so secreted my gold in a place known only to myself."

"A million of rubles!" mused Barnwell.

"Yes, my son, gold rubles. Well, Mastowix, when he thought the time ripe
for his villainy, betrayed us all, with the understanding that he was to
have one-half of all the government could find belonging to us, together
with an office in which he could rise to ennoblement. Nicholas accepted
his proposition, and we were banished to Siberia. All of my companions
are dead, and all these years Mastowix has reveled in their money and
the smiles of the autocrats. But he failed to find my rubles, as I
intended he should do, for no eye saw the spot where I secreted it. And
all these long weary years I have waited and hoped to escape, so I might
secure that money and put it to the use I originally dedicated it to.
Now, my son, will you see that this money is recovered and turned
against tyranny?"

"Yes, if I ever escape. Every ruble of it shall help crush a tyrant,"
said he resolutely.

"Spoken like the brave youth I know you are."

"But if I never succeed in escaping, then the money will molder and
still be as useless as it has been during your long imprisonment," he
replied sadly.

"True, but you must escape. You have youth on your side, and can afford
to bide your time. Again, you have an advantage that I never had. You
will probably never be sent into the mines where I have slaved my life
away, never, but once a year, seeing the light of day, and this will
give you opportunities for escape which I have never had. Play your
cards so as to win the confidence of your superiors, and when the right
time comes manage somehow to escape. How, I will not undertake to tell
you. That you must work out yourself. But shape your course for the
German frontier, and once across the border you will be safe."

"So far away?"

"Yes, for there is liberty and safety nowhere short of there. If you
succeed, the money is yours, to do with as you like, only assure me that
a portion of it shall eke your revenge, and mine."

"I promise you, sir."

"Good. If you live to reach Germany, make inquiries for the village of
Mertz.