Life in the Free Command is a sort of probation for the convict who is to be sent, after the probationary term ia ended, to become a colonist in some inhospitable part of Siberia. To a man who has been fol lowed or accompanied by his family, it is a boon of the highest value ; it is welcome, of course, to the man without family as a relief from chains :ind prison conditions, but in many cases it leads to demoraliza tion. The criminal part 01 the Free Com mand v much given to drunkenness and social disorder. The political prisoners re fuse to associate with the criminals and hold themselves strictly aloof, bub not in frequently despair makes one of them des perate, and ho falls into evil ways. One day it became known that in tho beginning* of the following week a selection was to bo made of prisoners assigned to the Free Command. It was rumoured that tho selection would bo a large one, not 011 ac count of any special feeling of kindness on the part of the officer, bub because the prison wa3 needed for a convoy of hard labour convicts that was expected shortly. But the next day came rumours of an occurrence which filled every hearb with indignation and fear. Event followed event in rapid succession. The last in tho list was a terrible tragedy, fcerriblo even for the wilda of Siberia with all the horrors contained in the history of that dreaded land. (To he. Continued.)

FRANK MELTON'S LUCK.
OPINIONS OF THB PRESS.
