Delaware tribune. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1867-1877, 1868-05-14


the time fixed for the attack-so that, for
some minutes at least, the officers might be
unable to get out. Lamanski, was, in fact,
summoned before a revolutionary tribunal
to answer for his crime in neglecting to carry
out the order given to him, and for execut-
ing which he had been paid in advance. He
was afraid to appear, and, his alarm being
interpreted as contumacy, was formally SEN
fenced to death.
Lamanski was, like many other spies, a
great coward. AS soon as the decision OF
the revolutionary tribunal was made known
to him he went to General Gontchalin, told
him great portion of what had happened,
declared that loyalty to the Russians had
prevented his executing the task which his
wicked countrymen had imposed upon him,
and ended by asking to have some post as
signed to him in which he would be able to
do his duty without fear of the Polish
dagger
General Gontchalin saw that the only thing
to do with such miserable creature as this
was to put him in relations with Boutko-
witch. When Boutkovitch heard the man S
story he affected great airof superiority,
and told them he would consider his case.
Even the most debased seem to have some
sort of moral pride; and Boutkovitch said
TO himself that, after al, he had not betray-
ed his own countrymen to the Poles, and in
so far yas better than this Lamanski, who
was evidently ready to sell his to the Rus
slams.
Lamanski refused positively 70 do out-of-
door work; so Boutkovilch employed him
in the prison as a sort of deputy under-turn-
key, with the special duty of talking to the
prisoner; and worming himself into their
confidence. But the best of friends will
sometimes fall out, and even two such ras-
Gals as Lamanski and Boutkovitch could not
agree.
Lamanski had certain number of cigars
and cigarettes placed at his disposition, which
he was to distribute among the prisoners
with the view of gaining their goodwill.
Instead of giving them away, Boutkovitch
maintained that Lamanski sometimes smok-
ed them himself; and he accused him OF pre-
tending to have made present of some
choice havannahs to- Polish gentleman.
who, B0utkovitch knew perfectly well,
would not have accepted them without pay.
ing at least as much as they were worth.
This treatment, deserved or undeservcd
had the effect of damping Lamanski.s ar.
dour' lie got less and less information
from the prisoners. ana AT last Boutkovitch
toid MN 'hat In future, instead OF giving
MN regular salary, he should pay him by
lne piece.
Lamanskis energy now returned, and he
brought such number OF stories to Bout
koVltch that the CHIEF said to himself a
last 'hat II TINS sort OF thing went on mucf
longer his subordinate would ruin him.
The assistant, however, still exercised his
ingenuity, and made up tales of "treasons
stratagems, and spoils" just as he wanted
them.
Finally, one day, when Lamanski had
been telling long story which promised te
throw great light on the composition of the
Polish National Government, Boutkovitcl
coolly replied
Yes; that information is very curious
and very important, but it had reached me
before"
"What," exclaimed Lamanski, who had
| invented every partcular.
at had reached me before" repeated
Boutkovitch.
"That is very odd" said Lamanski.
"Why SOP inquired Bouikoyitch.
"Because had so much trouble in getting
it out of my informant-if ynl were to speak
to him about it yourself he would deny eve
ry sylable-and because it strikes me as be-
ing perfectly new."
''Shall prove to you that knew it al
before?"
''Please, do"
Thereupon Boutkovitch rang a bell. ant
on a messenger appearing. said TO him
''Levitzki go to the archives and find folio
67s, letters s. want to look at it,"
"Very good. sir" answered Leyi,zski
WIZ ulStppedTCu, anu ABOUT ten minutes
afterwards came hack with n document
which contained a concise report of the
facts Just narrated by Lamanski.
'sThis report, YOU will observe sait
Boutkovitch, as lie submitted il to Lamapsk
for examination, sis dated two months
back"
..And was written behind that screen.
from my dictation, five minutes ago" said
Lamanski to himself But he argued nc
more on the subject.
| "Your arguments are too convincing. " he
said to Boutkovitch. 81 give in i; the pris
oner must have deceived me-"
In itis rage, Lamanski went off to a mar
whom he believed to be an agent of the Ma
tional Government. and told him wher,
Boutkovtch-w was, notoriously, sen
fenced fo death-was in the habit of snend
ing his evenings.
"What does it matter to me where Bout
kovltch spends his evenings ?" asked th,
agent, who fancied trap was being laid fol