The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1889-11-20
He managed the matter with won

ASS~-~-
a scalpel, he traced out all the young
mans sore nerves, and played upon his
feelings, until at length Ivan struck
the table with his clenched fist and
hissed out, while his white teeth
cleaned between his thin lips, like the
flash of dagger blade:
"This, sir, is my work.! >,
3No. I'll draw lots with you for 1T.
I know that I am only one of the COM
mon people, yet have dared to wor-
ShiD-"
Il will hear no more!" said Ivan,
rising. -.
Patience. patience, kind friend! Ii
you insist, will yie'd nv place, but it
is on one condition"
"You have no place to yield. Yet to
show vcu that am not insensible to
the sacrifice you would MAKE SAID
Ivan, softened, "I will hear your con-
dition."
"It is that the work be done before
forty-eight hours, said Peter, reaching
out his hand,
"It will be done by that time, if
General Paul appears on the streets OF
st. Petersburg"
Ivan shook the fellows hand. and
buttoning up his coat-it was none
of the newest, he left the wine cellar.
"You should be called Peter the
devil" was DR.. Mulek's salutation
when he appeared, after Ivan had gone
out of hearing.
"You would hardly expect me to be
St. Peter, and keep such company" Z"
laughed the student, as he tapped the
bell for more wine.
The men drank their wine, and soon
after went out.
Although it had been dark for some
hours it was still early in the night,
for the midwinter days are very short
in the regions of north latitude sixty
degrees.
The streets were ab!aze with light,
and the crisp air thrilled to the music
of bells and the laughter of merry
sleighing parties.
Mounted guards rode hither and
thither, and there were evidences on
every hand that the ordinary life voca-
tions in a great city were going on,
A muffied figure followed DR.. Mulek
and Peter from the wine vault, keep
ing in the shadows till the two men
parted, when it kept on after the stu
dent.
Peter did not walk like conspira-
tor who is afraid of being followed, but
with long, sturdy stride he kept
straight on, whistling the while as if
he were the happiest man in the world.
He went straight to the Winter Pal
ace, where the chief of the secret SER
vice had his official quarters, so as to
be NEAR the sacred person OF the Gar. I"
He was halted by guard to whom
he showed a written pass, and he en-
tered the palace without further moles-
tation,
In the Hall of Knights, as it is called
from the scores of life-size figures that
line its marble walls, an official halted
Peter, and demanded his object.
II come to see his Excellency Prince
Paul." was the reply.
"Who are you?"
For answer Peter showed his pass
and whispered something into the
mans ear.
The pass and the word had magic
effect, for he was conducted up a grand
fight of stairs and into another hall,
in whose blue vaulted roof blazed lights
that looked brilliant and far off as the
stars in an arctic light.
Other guards were met and other
challenges given, and at length Peter
the student, bare-headed and some
what awed, stood in the presence Of
General Paul.
"What brings you here, sir?" de-
manded the handsome soldier, with
something like contempt in his manner.
danger to your Excellency." was
the reply, accompanied by an ablect
bow.
THAT is not news" said the General,
turning with smile to o number Of
his staff who was standing near.
"ExcelIency." stammered Peter, Il
can only talk to you alone"
so let it be; come with me. ="
The General spoke something to-
one of his officers, then led Peter into
another room and closed the door;
then throwing himself into chair he
said:
eff you are ready to speak, I am pre-.
pared to listen" ~
Peter coughed; the pictures all
around seemed to have living eyes, and
they had, for a dozen armed soldiers
looked down from the lofty walls.
CHAPTER VI.
THE GEAR.
Peter the student delivered his mes
sage, or warning, the details of which
we shall pass over for the present, and