“Journey?” said Borodin.
“Yes,” said the governor coolly. “Didn’t I tell you you were being removed to Schlusselburg?”
“Schlusselburg!” exclaimed Borodin.
“Schlusselburg!” exclaimed Freeman, springing forward.
The life went out of Drexel.
“You’re removing them to Schlusselburg?” Freeman demanded fiercely. “By whose order?”
The governor answered with a curse and with a drive of his fist into Freeman’s chest. Freeman came back from the blow in a fury.
“You’ll pay for that, Colonel Kavelin!” He turned to Drexel. “You’re taking them? Who are you?”
He jerked the lantern from the governor and swung it into Drexel’s white face. He stared. Then his swollen, discoloured countenance gleamed with triumph.
“This is no Captain Laroque!” his voice rang out. “He is a revolutionist! And this is no removal of prisoners to Schlusselburg! It’s a plot to set them free!”