, 1880-04-11
THE DEATH OF PAUL I,

udfC SuuAlt4C0yV yVlIt SA43 VII ACCOQut VI u
conspiracy which I understand is being
formed against me.''
Ut am aware Of the fact, sire.'
SHOW! You are aware Of it!''
without doubt l am one Of the accom-
plices.''
"Here is the List which have just re-
ceived."
"And /, sire, have the duplicate. Here 1t
is" =,
"Palhen!'' mu1mured the Car, terrified,
not knowing what to believe.
"Sire," replied the Count, *syou can coul-
pare the two lists; if your, 'informer is cor
rect, they must be alike"
Is Lookl'' said Paul. .....-
" Yes, they are,n coolly remarked Palhen,
"with the exception of three names which
are forgotten on yours.'
"Whose ?" excitedIy asked the Emperor.
"Sire, prudence prevents. me mentioning
them; but, after the proof Lhaye just given
your Majesty OF the accuracy Of my informa-
tion, Ihope you will deign to accord me en-
tire confidence, and to depend on my zeal to
watch over your safety"
"No evasion !'' Interrupted Paul with all
the energy of terror. =" Who are they? 1
will know who they are this very instant"
"Sire," answered Pallen inclining his
head, respect prevents me revealing august
names.'
~ understand" said Paul in hollow
voice, glnncing at the closed door which con-
Quoted to tho apartments Of his wife. "You
Inean the Empress, do you not? You mean
tile Czarowitz Alexander and the Grand
Duke Constantine
"Sire, the law does not recognize those
whom it cannot reach."
'4The Inv reaches all the world, sir; and
the greater the crime the greater the punfsh-
ment. Palhen, you must arrest the two
Grand-Dukes this instant, and tomorrow
they will depart for Schulssebourg. AS for
the Empress, I will dispose Of her myself.
Regarding the other conspirators, that is
your business"
f"Sire," said Palhen, "give me written
order, and, however high the head that itmay
strike, however great those may be that it
will reach, will obey"
GOOD Palhenv' cried the Car, thou art
the only faithful servant who remains to ME.
Watch over me, Palhen, for plainly see
they all wish my DEATH"
On uttering these words, Paul signed the
orders to arrest the two Grand-D ukes. This
was all that was desired BY the cunning con-
opA4AtQ4s l. uA1ll5AEN nAtt1 AAAN1V wv ANGAos
lie hastened to Flaton Loubon, at whose
house the conspirators were assembled.
"All is discovered" said he. "There is
not moment 20 lose. Tonight am still
Governor Of st. Petersburg;. Tomorrow l
saa'l xnl ,f1l RefRaps be in prison. Look well to
There must be no hesitation, for hesitation
was the scatfQld or ut least Siberia. The
conspirators sought refuge the same night
at te housf ct Goant iaFin G9onel r
numbers were but few, they resolved to aug
ment their force with all the prisoners who
had been arrested that day. The day had
been favorable, for In the morning thirty
been degraded aid condemned to prison or
exile, for faults which scarcely nlerited
reprimand. Palhen ordered that dozen
sleds should be III readiness at the gates OF
the different prisons where those were con-
fined whom he desired to associate with the
then seeing his comrades de-
termined, he proceeded to the palace to con-
fer with the Czarowitz Alexander. The tat
ter had just left his father In the main cor
Himself t 1 by Ills Side; bit Paul motioaed ' lin
to retire, ordering him to return to his apart
nients, and to remain there until further
orders, Palhen found him grieyed on ac-
count of the anger which he had read in the
ceiving the Count, he demanded whether he
was not charged On the part of the Emperor
with commands for him.
''Alasr' answered Palhen, 'yes, your
Highness, am charged with q terrible
oruer."
"And what is it?' asked Alexander.
ITO arrest your Higness, and to demand
your sword.' :
ITO arrest me, and take my sword !" cried
Alexander, land why w
because, from thfs hour you are my pIis-
oner."
Pr[sSner! j. T. r, o.; And of what crime am
"Your Imperial Highness Is not ignorant
Of the fact that here, .unliappily, punishment
is frequently endured without having COM
[nitted III otfense.''
"The Emperor is doubly master Of my des-
Einy,'' answered Alexander,-." as sovereign
and father. Show me the order, and, what
ever it may be, AMI ready to submit"
The Count gaye him the order. Alexander
opened 1t, kissed the signature Of his father,
md began to read; but when he arrived at
he part concerning the Grand Duke Constan-
Tine, exclaiuled: "And my brother alsol /
hoped that this concerned but myseif!' But |
his grief and astonishnlent knew no bounds |
III discovering that punishment was also to
De inflicted on his mother. @ my mother!'
he exclaimed, ,-"my gentle mother this |
saint from Heaven descended among us.
This is too much, Palhen,-this istoo muchv'
And! covering his face with his hands. lie |