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Barr, Robert, 1850-1912

"A Rock in the Baltic"

They think they are in the prison of 'St. Peter and St.
Paul.' That information came to me to-day in the letter I was just now
answering. So, Katherine, I think you have been unjust to the
Englishman. If he had been arrested first, there might be some grounds
for what you charge, but they evidently gave him a chance to escape.
He had his warning in the disappearance of his friend, and he had
several days in which to get out of St. Petersburg, but he stood his
ground."
"I'm sorry, Dorothy. I'm a silly fool, and to-day, when I saw the
snow-- well, I got all wrought up."
"I think neither of the men are in the snow, and now I am going to say
something else, and then never speak of the subject again. You say I
didn't care, and of course you are quite right, for I confessed to you
that I didn't. But just imagine-- imagine-- that I cared. The Russian
Government can let the Prince go at any moment, and there's nothing
more to be said. He has no redress, and must take the consequences of
his nationality. But if the Russian Government have arrested the
Englishman; if they have put him in the prison of 'St. Peter and St.
Paul,' they dare not release him, unless they are willing to face war.
The Russian Government can do nothing in his case but deny, demand
proof, and obliterate all chance of the truth ever being known. Alan
Drummond is doomed: they dare not release him. Now think for a moment
how much worse my case would be than yours, if-- if--" her voice
quivered and broke for the moment, then with tightly clenched fists
she recovered control of herself, and finished: "if I cared.


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