From this Sandoff inferred that the squad of Cossacks had been scouring the country in search of Vera. His ears were on the alert to catch every word, though at the same time he was enduring agonies of suspense lest the prying eyes of the Cossacks—which were frequently turned toward him—should discover the gaping hole in the wall that he was trying to hide. The next question touched on a still more interesting subject. “By the way, lieutenant,” said Captain Petrof suddenly, “I want to call your attention, while I think of it, to a grave mistake that was made a day or two ago—though it only came to my knowledge this morning. You know the convict Shamarin, who was brought up from the lower prison? Well, by some blunder he was placed in the same kamera with Sandoff, the one time Inspector of the Third Section. You know the connection between them—and by the way, it was this same girl that got Sandoff into trouble who escaped last night—the sister of Shamarin, you know.” “That was indeed a serious blunder, Captain Petrof,” replied the lieutenant. “I will rectify it at once. I will remove Shamarin to another cell.” “It will do the first thing in the morning,” suggested Captain Petrof. “No, I will attend to it tonight,” returned the lieutenant firmly, “as soon as I have finished my round of inspection.” The captain chirruped to his horse and the squad of Cossacks trotted off toward the barracks across the prison square, while the lieutenant pushed on without a glance at Sandoff and soon disappeared around the corner of the stockade. The alarm and consternation of the latter at what he had just heard may be easily imagined. As he turned hurriedly a log was thrust endways through the hole behind him, and was followed an instant later by Shamarin. “Have you heard?” whispered Sandoff huskily. “Our escape will be discovered. They will enter the cell in a few moments.” “Yes,” said Shamarin coolly, “I heard all. I am sorry now that I wasted so much time with that fellow in there. I wanted to make sure that he would not alarm his companions and put them on our track. I have him nicely gagged and bound. Now my trouble goes for nothing. But don’t despair, Sandoff. We will make good use of what time we may have. Here, help me to put this log in place—then we will be off.” Sandoff lent a willing hand, and the break in the wall was soon roughly closed up. “They will find that fellow long before morning,” said Shamarin. “He is in no danger of being buried alive. Are you ready now? Just keep that Cossack coat and rifle. They may do you good service in the future. I will carry the other bundle, and the knife and wedge. We may need them all. Is the breast of that coat you have on filled out with cartridges?” “Yes,” replied Sandoff, making a hasty examination. “Good!” said Shamarin. “It is a strong point in our favor to have firearms. That rifle may save us from starvation—and from Cossacks,” he added significantly.