CHAPTER IX.
OUT OF EXILE—BARNEY’S JOKE.
The Russian officer of the guard saluted and made reply:
“I am he. What have you?”
“We are from Moscow. We have traveled day and night to reach you with a message from the Czar.”
At once the prison captain drew himself up with dignity and importance.
“I will read it,” he said, pompously.
One of the couriers tendered him a document. He read it to himself and his brow cleared. Then he said:
“Nicolas Mafetodi, I have to say that his most gracious majesty, the Czar, has sent you full and absolute pardon. It has been discovered that you are innocent of the charge brought against you. Count Valdstedt has confessed.”
“Olga!” murmured the exile, with a light of delirious happiness in his eyes. Then it faded and he reeled back.
He fell to the ground like a log. Instantly all rushed forward. Frank Reade, Jr., bent over him, feeling his pulse, and said: