Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1881-04-23

cigar over our wine. 1--WE should never have
known you but for the English labels on your
luggage; II was the luckiest thing In tbs world
personal description OF you; indeed we were
prepared to expect a somewhat older man. You
are are young, indeed, sir. to be intrusted with
'My employer trusts me-, replied; ''and we
have learned In our trade that youth and
shreWdnesS are not Incompatible"
nenU a remark a,s1d is true SIR returned my
you call our glorious association trade!
Such term Is gross indeed to apply to body
OF OIL. men n panied together to supply the world
with that which 1t Is yearning for, but which.
without our exertfons, 1t can never hope to
attain A spiritual brotherhood would be
more fitting term"
by Jovel" thought 1. show pleased the boss
would be to hear him? He must have been In
the business himself whoever he 1s.n
NOV, Sir. said Mr.. Petrokine, ''the clock
sitting. Let US go up together, and win intro
duce you. I need hardly say that the greatest
secrecy Is Observed, and that your appearance
1s anxiously awaited
how might best fulfil my mission and secure
the most advantageous terms They seemed as
anxious as was In the matter, and there ap-
pested to be no opposition, so perhaps the best
tDlrg would De TO wait and see what they
would propose.
1 had hardly come to this conclusion when
my guide swung open large door at the END OF
passage, and found myself In room larger
and even more gOrgeousy fitted 10 than the
one In which had dtned. A long table, covered
with green baize and strewn with papers, ran
down the middle and round 1t were sitting
fourteen or fifteen men cOnversing earnestly.
The whole scene reminded me forcioiy OF q
gambling hell had visited sometime before.
Upon our entrance the company rose and
panion attracted no attention, while every eye
was turned upon me with strange mixture OF
surprise and almost servile respect A man at
the head OF the table. who was remarkable for
the extreme pallor OF his face as contrasted With
his blue black hair and mustache, waved his
hand to seat beside him. and sat down
Gustave Berger. the English agent, is now
honoring US with his presence. He Is youag,
Indeed, Alexis, !" he continued 70 my pale faced
ne1ghbor, land yet he is OF European reputa-
come, draw 1t midi" thought 1, adding
aloud, III you refer to me, sir. though am In
deed acting as English agent, my name is not
your service"
A laugh ran around the table.
$50 be 1t, so be It," said the man they called
honored sir. One cannot be too CAREFUL. PSs.
serve your English sObrtQ,tet by all means. 1
regret that any painful duty should be per-
formed upon this suspicious evening; but the
rules Of our association must be preserved at
any cost to our feelings, and dismissal is
"What the deuce is the fellow driving at?n
thought l. "What Is 1t to me IL he does give
his servant the sack? This Dimidofr, where.
asylum"
through me. and started In my chair. Il was
Petrokine who spoke. For the first time L no.
ticed that burly stout man, sitting at the
other end Of the table, had his arms tied behind
his chair and handkerchief round his mouth
A horrible suspicion began to creep into my
hesrt. Where was 1? Was In Mr.. Dimidoff's?
Who were these men With their strange wofds7
Take out the gag!" repeated Petrokine; and
the handkerchief was removed.
snow. Paul Ivanovitch," said he, "what have
you to say before you go?"
mot dismissal, sirs," he pleaded, mot a
dismissal; anything but that viii 90 iato
some distant land, and my mouth shall be
closed forever. l Will do anything that the
society asks; but pray, pray do not dismiss
me-"
"You know our laws, and you know your
crime" said Alexis In a cold, harsh voice.
Who drove US from Odessa by his false tongue
nous letter to the Governor? Who cut the
tyra a1 IT, You did, Paul Ivano7itch; and you
leaned back In my chair and fairly gasped
'Remove h1mY' said Petroklne; and the
man Of the droschky with two others forced
him out.
heard the footsteps pass down the passage,
and then door open and shut. Then came a
sound as OF struggle, ended by heavy
CIuI Cul0R DlOW ana q Gull tlud.
$50 perish all who are false to their OATH
said Alexis, solemnly; and hoarse "Amen"
went up from his companions.
death alone can dismiss us from our ORDER"
Mr.. Robinson is pale. The scene has been too
much for him after his long journey from Eng:
20 rom, Tom," thought 1, "If ever you get
You're not fiji to die, and that's fact" 1t was
only too evident to me now that by some
strange misconception l had got in among
gang OF cOld-blooded nihilists who mistook me
for one OF their order. felt, after what had
witness ed, that my only chance OF life was to
try to play the role thus forced upon me until
30 tried hard to regain my afr OF selfpos,
session. which had been so rudely shaken.
II am indeed fatlgued,' replied, "bui feel
ness.
ut was but natural, said man with thick
beard at my right hand. "And now, most hon
ored sir, how goes the cause 10 England?"
Rem arkably WELL" answered.
Has the great commissioner condescended
to send missive to the Solten branch % asked
Petrokine.
Nothing In writing" replied.
But he has spoken of it %
"Yes: he said he had watched it with feelings
OF the 1lveliest satisfaction" returned.
o,ddv ans s T Se ,,d ran round the table
OF my position. Any moment question mighr
be asked which would show me in my true
CoIOIS IOso dnO nelpoQ mySel1 HOm dec An
Ter OF Drandy which stood on side table. Toe
potent liquor flew to my excited brain, and as
SAT down felt reckless enough to be half
amused at my position, and inclined to play
with my tormentors. l STILL however had all
my wits about me.
"You have been to Birmingham 2" asked the
man with the beard.
MANY times" said 1.
Then you have of course seen the private
workshop and arsenal 2"
Il have been over them both more than
ut is still, suppose, entirely unsuspected
oy the police? 2" continued my interrogation.
Entirely" replied.
can you tell US how 1t is that SO large
Here was poser but my native 1mpudence
and the brandy seemed to come to my Aid.
THAT is information" l replied, (which do
not feel justified in divulging even here. In
withholding 1t am acting under the direction
OF the chief commissioner
You are right-perfectIy right" said my
original friend Petrokine. "You will no douOt
make your report to the central office a6 MOS.
cow before entering into such details 2"
EXACTLY SO" replied, only too happy to get
lit out OF my difficulty.
I'VE have heard" said Alexis, "that you
were sent to inspect the Ltvadia Can you give
us any particulars about 2"
thing you ask will endeavor to an
sWer," replied in desperation.
concerning IT."
None when left England"
"Well, well, there's plenty of time YET, said
Cne man with the Deard-''manV months WIN