Page:By order of the Czar.djvu/400



3 88 BY ORDER OF THE CZAR.'

and St. Petersburg ; so that here in the heart of the most fertile of the Siberian country, father and daughter will end their days together, with ample money for all their wants, and sufficient for acts of charity and benevolence. This very winter Philip Forsyth has learned, through private sources of information organized by Dick Chetwynd, that the Klosstocks had purchased a homestead near Sugats- kaya, which many a wealthy Russian might envy j that the old man, still dreamy in his manner and often wrapped in reflection, nevertheless realized the happiness that had come to him in his latter days ; and knew how great it was in contrast with what he had suffered in the first days of his exile ; while Anna only lived to give him pleasure, and make her peace with heaven.

CHAPTER L.

THE GOLD MEDAL.

THE picture is finished : the gold medal has been awarded ; and " Tragedy " is the artistic sensation of the latest Royal Academy exhibition. The barrier and the policeman have once more appeared in the central gallery of Burlington House.

Not alone for its exceptional merit is Philip Forsyth's " Road to Siberia " the talk of the art world. Something of the romance associated with it has leaked out. The busy gossips of the society papers have told its story in many and various ways. The facile pen of The Jenkins of the Review, whom we have met at Lady Forsyth's receptions, had, however, penetrated some of the darkest shadows of the mystery. By no means correct in its details, the Review had graphically suggested the cour- ageous and friendly journey of rescue which had been per- formed by Dick Chetwynd ; the telegram of the British