The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1884-11-29


she had done nothing wrong; and more TO the
same effect The pristave promised everything,
in order to bring the matter to an end, and this
time Olga proceeded toward her real residence.
She had gainsd three hours and half; for her
arrest took place at about 2 o'clock, and she did
not reach her own home until about half past
3. She had no doubt that Morosoff had got
away, and after having cleared" the rooms had
thrice as much time as he required for the ope-
ration.
Having assembled the stairs accompanied by
the dvorniks and the police she rang the bell
The door opened and the party entered first the
ante-chamber, then the sitting-room. There
was terrible surprise awaited her MorosoH
in person was seated at table, in his dressing
gown, with a pencil in his hand and pen in his
ear Olga fell into Mysteries This time they
were real, not simulated
How was it that he had remained in the housel
The lady previously mentioned had not failed to
hasten at once and inform Morosotf, whom she
found at home with three or four friends. At
the announcement of the arrest of Olga they
all had but one idea-that of remaining where
they were, of arming themselves, and of await
ing her arrival, in order to rescue her by main
force But Morosoff theoretically opposed
this proposal. He said, and rightly said,
that it presented more dangers than
advantages, for the police being in numbers and
reinforced by the dvorniks of the house, who are
all species of police agents of inferior grade,
the attempt at the best would result in the liberia
ton of one person at the cost of several Others.
more generous than prudent, was abandoned,
The rooms were at once cleared" with the ut.
most rapdity, so that the fate of the person ar
rested, which was sure to be a hard one and was
inevitable, should not be rendered more grievous.
When all was ready and they were about to
leave, Morosoff staggered his friends by acqualnt-
ing them with the plan he had thought of. He
would remain in the house alone and await the
arrival of the police. They thought he had lost
his senses; for everybody knew and no better
himself hat wi sal
hanging over his head, if once arrested it
would be all over with him. But he said
he hoped it would not come to tbat-nay, he ex-
pected to get clear off with Olga and in any case,
perish together. His friends heard him an.
nounce this determination with mingled feelings
of grief, astonishment and admiration. Neither
entreaties nor remonstra1ces could shake his
determination. He was firm, and remained at
home after saying farewell to his friends who
took leave of him as of a man on the point of
death
He had drawn up his plan which, by the sug-
gestion Of some mysterious instinct perfectly
harmonized with that of Olga, although they had
never in any wav arranged the matter. He also
had determined to feign innocence, and had ar
ranged every thing in such manner as to make
it seem as though he were the most peaceful of
citizens. AS he lived under the false passport
of an engineer he covered his table with a heap
of plans of various dimensions, and, having put
on his dressing gown and slippers, set diligently
to work to copy one, while waiting the arrival of
his unwelcome guests.
1t was in this guise and engaged in this limo
cent occupation that he was surprised by the
notice. The scene which followed may easily
be imagined. Olga flung her arms round his
neck, and poured forth stream of broken words
EXPLANATIONS, excuses and complaints of those
men who had arrested her because she wished to
call upon her milliner. In the midst however,
of these EXPLANATIONS, she whispered in his ear
Have you not been warnedF
YES" he replied in the same manner every
thing is in order Don't be alarmed Meanwhile
he played the part of an affectionate husband
mortified by this scandal. After little scolding
and then little consolation, he turned to the
pristav and asked him for an explanation, as he
could not quite understand what had happened
from the disconnected words of his wife. The
pristav politely told him the whole story. The
engineer appeared greatly surprised and grieved,
and could not refrain from somewhat bitterly
censuring his wife for her objectionable i'm
prudence. The pristav, who was evidently re-
assured by the aspect of the husband and of the
whole household, declared nevertheless that he
must make a search,
Hope you will excuse me, SIR" he added,
''but am obliged to do it; it is my duty"
Il willingly submit to the law" nobly replied
the engineer
Thereupon he pointed to the room, so as to
indicate that the pristav free to search it
thoroughly, and having lit candle with his own
hand, for at that hour IN ST. Petersburg it was
already dark, he quietly opened the door Of the
adjoining ROOM which was his own little place.
The search was made Certainly not a single
scrap of paper was found, written printed,
which smelt of Nihsn.
by rights, | ought to take the lady to pris-
on said the pristav, when he had finished his
search, especially as her previous behavior was
anything but what it ought to have been; but
won't dc that 1 will simply keep you under
arrest here until your passports have been veri-
fed. You see, sir, he added, 1--WE police off
GERS are rot quite so bad as the Nihilists make
us out"
There are always honest men in every occu-
patton, replied the engineer with gracious
bow More compliments of the same kind,
which need not repeat were exchanged be-
tween them and the prstav went away with
most of his men, wellimpressed with such polite
and pleasant reception. He left. however,
guard in the kitchen with strict injunctions not
to lose sight of the host and hostess until
further orders.
Morosoff and Olga were alone. The first act of
the comedy they had improvsed had met with
complete success. But the storm was far from
having blown over. The verhcation of their
passports would show that they were false The
inevitable consequence would be a warrant for
their arrest, which might be issued at any mo-
ment if the venfication were made by a means
of the telegraph. The sentinel rigid, motion
less, with his sword by his side and his revolver
in his belt was seated in the kitchen, which was
at the back. exactly opposite the outer door, so
that it was impossible to approach the door
without being seen by MN. FOR several hours
they racked their brains and discussed in n low
voice, various plans of escape To free them
selves by main force was not to be thought of
No arms had been left in the place, Tor they had
been purposely takon away Yet without weap-
ons, how could they grapple with this hig, sturdy
fellow, armed as he vast They hoped as the
hours passed on he would fall asleep But this
hope was not realized. When, at about half
past 10, Morosotf under the pretext of going
into his little room, which was used for various
domestic purposes, passed near the kitchen, he
saw the man still at his post with his eyes wide
open, attentive and vigilant as at first. Yet
when Morosoff returned, Olga would have de-
clared that the way was quite clear, and that
had nothing to do but to leave. so beaming were
his eyes. He had, in fact found what
he wanted-a plan simple and safe The
little room opened into the small corridor
and It's door hanked that of the kitchen. In re-
turning to the sitting room, Morosoff observed
that when the door of the little room was wide
49, ~