ranger in the city, and not knowing which way to go, was
finally captured, roughly taken in charge, and handcuffed.

In the meantime, Tobasco made his escape complete, but stopped to see
the soldiers drag the young American back to the prison to which tyranny
had consigned him.

The excitement among the populace ran high, and rumor had it that the
authorities had captured an important Nihilist official; and this, of
course, roused that numerous and much-dreaded body of secret destroyers
to learn, if possible, through their agents, all the particulars of the
case.

William Barnwell was thrown into a dark and loathsome dungeon, from
whence the body of many a poor prisoner had been borne after death,
produced by torture and starvation.

"Curses on my luck!" he muttered, after collecting his thoughts for a
moment. "It must be that I have been betrayed by that Paul Zobriskie
into the hands of the Russian authorities. But what could have been his
motive, when I was an innocent stranger, and only did what I did to
accommodate him? What will be the result if I cannot communicate with
the American Minister? I am evidently taken for a Nihilist, and goodness
only knows what the end of it all will be. Am I destined to die in this
horrible place, without having a chance to communicate with my friends?
The thought is dreadful! It must not, shall not be; but--stay. What has
been the fate of other good men who have fallen into the hands of this
despotic government? That fate may be mine, and I sent to Siberia
without even a trial. Oh, the thought will drive me mad!" he cried, and
bowed his head, as he sat there on the filthy straw of his unlighted
dungeon.

CHAPTER III.

A FRIGHTENED AND ENRAGED RASCAL.

When Prince Mastowix returned to his room from ordering the guard to
pursue and recapture William Barnwell, the first thing he did was to
seek for the paper he had left upon his table when the alarm of escape
rang out so startlingly in the courtyard, the very paper that the young
American had placed in his hands only a few moments before, and which
Tobasco, the secret spy of the government, had secured during the
confusion incidental to Barnwell's escape, and in which he had acted a
friendly part.

He started and looked wildly around. Then he felt in his pockets to see
if he had not placed it there in his excitement. Then he looked hastily
into several drawers where he possibly might have placed it in the
moment of hurry,