lasson begged and implored the other to set him free.

"There is nothing for it, then, but this," said Paul, with a muttered
curse, "and your own fault is it that I am driven to it!" And, so
saying, he drew a powerful clasp-knife from his pocket, and tried to
open it with his teeth; but the resistance of the spring still defied
all his efforts for some time, and it was only after a long struggle
that he succeeded. "He's insensible; he'll never feel it," muttered Paul
below his breath; "and even if he should, self-preservation is the first
of all cares." And with this he grasped the knife vigorously in his
strong hand, and gazed at the sick man, who seemed to return his
stare as fixedly. There was in Conway's look even a something of bold
defiance, that seemed to say, "I dare and defy you!" so at least did
Classon read it, and quailed before its haughty meaning. "What wretched
cowardice is over me, and at a time when minutes are worth days!"
muttered Classon. "Here goes!" But now a confused noise of many voices,
and the steps of advancing feet were heard in the corridor; and Classon
sank down beside the bed, a cold sweat covering his forehead and face,
while he trembled in every limb.

The room was speedily filled with staff officers and surgeons, in the
midst of whom was a civilian, travel-stained and tired-looking, who
pressed eagerly forward, saying, as he beheld Classon, "Who is this
man,--what is he doing here?"

"An humble missionary,--a weak vessel," said Paul, whiningly. "In a
paroxysm of his pain he caught me thus, and has held me ever since.
There--at last I am free!" And as he said these words, the sick man's
fingers unclasped and liberated him.

"There has been foul play here," said Mr. Reggie, the stranger in
civilian dress. "See! that box has been rifled; the floor is covered
with papers. This man must be detained."

"In bonds or in a dungeon, it matters not," said Paul, holding up his
hands as if about to open a lengthy discourse; but he was hurried away
ere he could continue.

"He is certainly no worse," said one of the surgeons, as he felt
Conway's pulse and examined the action of his heart; "but I am far from
saying that he will recover!"

"If I do not greatly mistake," said Reggis, "our friend the missionary
is the man through whose kind offices I was betrayed within the Russian
lines; but I' ll look to this later. As it was, I have had little to
complain of my treatment in Sebastopol, and my d