After London | Page 5

powder wagons; and on both sides
lay the dead, upon whom the fast falling snow had spread a white
coverlet. Many of the soldiers of Alfred's regiment had fallen, and lay
frozen in the snow; others were scattered here and there.
Alfred and a chum, both in a weakened condition, tried to go on. They
descried a little village, about half an hour distant; but before they
reached it, Alfred had become so weak that he fell exhausted in the
snow, saying: "Thus must I die here!" He extended his hand to his
friend and with tears in his eyes said: "Should you ever reach the Castle
of Banford, bear my love to my mother and sisters. Tell them that
Alfred Banford fought bravely, and fell in the service of his country."
These words reached the ears of a Russian gentleman, Vosky by name,
who in a rude sled was going in the direction of the village. He halted,
offered his assistance to the two half-frozen men, helped them into the
sleigh and hurried on with them. A few minutes' drive brought them to
a little inn, half concealed by the drifted snow.
The men were conducted into the house and furnished with food and
warmth. The host asked them no questions, for he saw that they were
benumbed and almost unconscious. At last, when they had recovered,
he raised his glass and said: "To your health, gentlemen. All brave
soldiers should live. I sympathize with you, although I am a Russian
subject. The sad fate of your fellow soldiers pains me. I will do all in
my power to help you. I know you are not our enemy. We have but one
enemy--the man whose iron will has forced all these hundreds of
thousands of men into our country." Then he arose and went about the
place, giving orders to his assistant.
The sleigh still stood at the door, and the horses impatiently shook the
sleigh bells and pawed the snow. As Vosky re-entered the room, his
two guests had finished their repast.

"Now," said he, "let me conduct you to a room where you can rest and
sleep, undisturbed and undiscovered." After climbing a ladder and
walking through a narrow passage, they came to a secret door which
opened into a bedroom. Alfred Banford looked about him, and was
startled when he saw in a mirror the reflection of such a pale,
hungry-looking visage and such tattered clothes.
Pity was plainly written in Vosky's kind face, but all he said was: "Stay
here and recuperate. To my sorrow, I must leave you for a little while
in order to transact some urgent business; but I will instruct my valet to
provide you with every possible comfort. Everything in this house
stands at your service."
Alfred Banford ventured to ask whether it would be perfectly safe to
remain, for he feared that Russian soldiers might capture him and that
he would be sent to Siberia.
"I give you my word," said Vosky. "You will be as safe here as the
Czar is in his Castle. Give me your word of honor to remain until my
return. I will then devise means to help you reach your country. But I
must be off now. Take good care of yourselves." And hurriedly he
closed the door behind him.
Alfred Banford marveled at the friendliness and goodness of this
strange man who had come to his rescue so unexpectedly and so
opportunely, like an angel from heaven. "It seems like awakening from
a dream, to find myself transported from an icy field to a warm, cozy
room," said he. "It borders on the miraculous--I cannot fathom it." But
sleep was fast overpowering him. He had lain for so long on straw, on
icy ground, and even in the snow, that it seemed as if he had never felt
anything softer or warmer than this bed. He soon fell asleep and rested
quietly and peacefully till the dawn.
CHAPTER IV
THE STRANGER
On the following morning, at breakfast, Alfred Banford turned to the

kind-hearted Russian servant, and said: "Do tell me what sort of man
your master is, and what is his name?"
"He is a very good man," said the servant. "I can think of no one who is
kindlier. His name is Vosky, the Czar's chief financial adviser, and he
is particularly concerned with the care of the Russian army. He has
always shown me great consideration, for I was only a poor beggar
boy.
"One day one of Mr. Vosky's assistants lost a package containing some
valuable papers and a large sum of money. It was extensively
advertised. I fortunately found the package and brought it to Mr. Vosky,
who was so pleased with my honesty that he offered me a home,