Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-06-22
CHAPTER XXVI.

Palkin soothed his aching wounds for I
moment, while Schelm seemed to enjoy hi
| pain. At last Palkin said: "Listen,
pray" and he told the story of his knout
ing. When the Countess Lanin was men
toned as taking part in the conspiracy
Schlem jumped up with delight.
At the same time he was at the door and
called the adjutant on duty.
"Reauest the Governor to come to me at
onceP' he ordered.
Joyously he rubbed his hands and re-
turned to his seat
$50 on quickly"
''That band was armed with carbines. My
gendarmes were instantly thrown down.
myself fought as long as I could and cut
down q number of these men, but in the end
I was overpowered, tied to . post and
cruelty knouted."
Schelm's malignity was too strong for his
cunning. He could not conceal his delight
and laughed aloud. Paikin bit his lips to
keep back his fury, but his eyes glowed the
fire of unquenchable hatred.
"You may laugh nowi" he murmured to
himself
"Now to the point: The Captain of
pendarmes of Irkutsk was their accom-
plicer"
"Not possiblel How could the Governor
have such people near him?"
''I shall speak of him, also, presently!
Enough, this Captain offered to infict the
punishment. The inspector and the Cos
sacks will bear witness that Lanin participa-
ted in the affair.
The Governors aid here entered the
apartment.
1.-THE Governor" he said, very much en-
barrassed, sis momentarily engaged; he
sends word, however, that he will be here
directly"
Schelm was so furious he did not know
what to do.
"Do you know who I amp" he threaten
ingly asked the poor, trembling officer.
Eyes, Your Excellency."
"Do you know that rybody here has to
obey me?"
Eyes, Your EIcellency."
''The Governor is himself responsible for
his own conduct, but you must be ready to
carry out every one Of my orders"
"Yes, Your Excellency."
"You will go instantly to the house occu-
pied by the Countess Lanin. Arrest every
person whom you may find there, even
strangers. The matter is important. Do
you hear?"
"But, Your"
Schelm sprang up from his chair.
"Are you still here? Do you wish to be
court-martIaled?"
The Adjutant went away in great terror.
1.-The Minister was not mistaken; the
whole nest is full of rebellious creature 81
The Governor is most to blame. They do
not know me yet; I'll crush the vermin!
Tell me, Palkin, what sort of man is he, to
send me such an answer?"
You might compare him to a knight
errant. 1 must have sent 20 denunciations
against him to Petersburg or more. It Is
well known that he protects the exiles, and
believes all they say. He has overcome
few barbarous hordes of natives. and now
thinks he can do what he chooses. i knew
that he was great favorite with the Gar,
and ON that account feared could do
nothing against him. But your arrival
proves that my reports must at last have
had their effect"
"Not exactly. The Minister of the In
terror asked me, it is true, to be strict and
even severe; but, on the other hand, the
head of the gendarmes recommended to me
to spare the Governor General of Irkutsk
as much as could, as he was the most loyal
man in all Russia. 1 came here with the
intention of being very considerate with
him il he should make no opposition, but
see"
Schelm did not conclude, for at that mo-
ment the Governor appeared in the door;
he must have heard tine last words of the
revisor. for he asked:
''Well, and what do you see, Mr..
Schelm?"
Tho general was in full uniform and his
talk, soldier-like appearance, made quite an
impression upon people like Schelm, who
are naughty only with their interiors. The
reysor bowed and sat down slightly embar-
rassed. Military discipline required Pal
kin to remain standing in the Governors
presence, but the latter motioned him with
the hand to omit the formality.
"Your wounds have not had time vet to
heal, Colonel" he S id ironically. Keep
your seat therefore"
He seemed to evince hidden control
over the two scoundrels like sovereign, for
they looked at each other helplessly. Soon,
however, Schelm remembered the supreme
power with which he was for the time en-
dowed, and at once his presence of mind
and his impudenee revived again.
II see, General. . he began in q harsh
tone, ''the administration OF East Siberia
leaves much to wish or"
TIE Governor bit his lips, and his eve
flashed, but he checked himself, and asked,
quietly:
How do you ascertain that, Mr.. Re-
visor? Perhaps you will have the kindness
to point out any shortcomings"
This apparent resignation seemed to en-
courage Scheim 10 think that he had intim-
idated this great man.