"But I am an American, and no criminal,"
"True; but who is to find that out, and who bring it to the notice of those powerful enough to demand an investigation? No; when once a person is disposed of in Russia in this way, that closes his career."
"Do you really think so, sir?" asked Barnwell, feeling his heart sink within him.
"Have I not had evidence enough of it. The police are too busy at home to notice even the recommendations of the Governor of Siberia. The authorities send all here–they call none back under any circumstances."
"Is that so?"
"Yes; guilty or innocent."
"And you believe that I am destined to drag out my life here?"
"Yes, unless you escape."
"Escape?"
"Yes."