Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1881-04-23
'atey on me and upon the newly arrived

agent
"If you are indeed Gustave Berger" said Pc
THAT am Gustave Berger these credentials
VIII snow, said the stranger, as he threw a
packet upon the table. "Who that man may
be know not; but II he has intruded himself
upon the lodge under false pretences it is clear
tnat ne must never carry out OF the room what
he has learned Speak, slr' he added, address,
ing me, who and what are your
i felt that my time had come. My revolver
was In my hip pocket; Dut what was that
against SO many desperate men? l graSped the
butt OF 1t, however, as drowning man clings
10 straw, and tried to preserve my GOODNESS
as glanced round at the cold, vtndIctive faces
turned toward me.
Gentlemen" said. 'the role have played
tonight has been purely invo untary one on
my part l am no police spy, as you seem to
suspect, nor, on the other hand. have the
honor to be member OF your association. 1 am
binary mistake, has been forced into this un-
pleasant and awkward position"
paused for moment Was 1t my fancy
that there was peculiar noise in the street,
noise as or many feet treading softly? No, 1t
bad d!ed away; IL was but the thropblng of my
own heart.
II need hardly say,"I continued. that any
thing may have heard tonight will be safe In
my Keeping. | pledge my solemn honor as
gentleman that not one word OF 1t shall trans
rire through me.n
The senses of men in great physical danger
become strangely acute, or their Imagination
plays them curious tricks. My back was toward
the door as sat, but could have sworn that
heard heayiDg breathing behind 1t. Was i5 the
three minions whom / had seen before In the
performance OF their hateful functions, and
whO like vultureS, had shifted another victim?
looked round the table. Still the same hard,
cruel faces. Not one glance of sympathy.
cooked the revolver in my pocket.
There was painful silence, which was
broken by the harsh, grating voice OF Petro-
kline.
PROMISES are easily made and easily broken. -
he said. 'There Is but one way OF securing
eternal silence IL is our lives or yours. Let
the highest among US speak,"
'Your are right, SIR" said the English agent;
''there is but one course open. He N ust be dis
missed"
knew what that meant in their COMPOUNDED
by Heavepn!s shouted Out putting my back
against the door, "yOu shan'J butcher free
Esglishman IKE sheep. The first among you
who strs, drops!'
A man sprang at me. 1 saw along the sights
Of my Deri1nger the CLEAN OF knife and the
demonaical face OF Gustave Berger. Then
pulled the trigger, and. with his hOarse scream
by crashing blow from behind. Half uncon-
scious and pressed down by some heavy weight,
head the noise Of shouts and blows above me,
and then tainted away.
When came to myself l was lying among
the debris OF the door, which had Oeen beaten
In on the top OF me. Opposite were dozen of
the men who had lately sat in Judgment upon
me, tied two and two, and guarded by score
Of Russian soldiers. Beside me was the corpse
OF the Inflated English agent the whole tace
blown In by the force Of the explosion. Alexis
and PetrokiDe were both lying on the floor like
myself. bleeding profusely.
"Well, young fellow, you've had narrow
escape" said hearty voice In my ear.
looked up and ecOgn iZed my black-eyed &C.
quaintance Of the railway carriage.
STAND up" he continued; "youre only bit
stunned; no bones broken. It's no wonder
m1stOok you for the nfhllist agent. when the
very lodge Itself was taken in. Well, you're
the only stranger who ever came out OF this
den alive. Come down stairs with me. know
who you are, AID what you are, and what you
ale after now; FL take you TO Mir. Dinidoff.
Nay don't 60 in there" he cried, as 1 walked
toward the door OF the cell into which had
been originally ushered. keep out OF that;
you've seen evil sights enough for one day.
Come down and have glass of liquor.'
He explained as we walked back to the hotel
that the police OF SOlteff, OF which he was the
Chief, had had warning and been on the lookout
during some time of this nihilistic emissary. MY
arrival In so untrequented place, coupled with
my air OF secrecy and the English labels on that
c0nfounded portmanteau OF GregoryS, had COM
pleted the business.
have little more to tell. Ny sociallstic ac-
qua!ntances were all either transported to Sibe-
ria or executed. MY isSlOn was performed to
the satisfaction OF my employers. My conduct
during the whole business has won me promo
tion. and my prospects for life has been I'M
proved since that horrible night, the remem-
brance OF which still makes me shiyer.-London
SOCietD,