The morning call., 1890-06-01


strength. pushed the poor, weak man e; Easily NY
back, seized his hands and dressed them TIL Ills
joints cracked and lie sank down on tue Moor.
Here, people. here !" cried P0pon.
In a moment two gendarmes had seized 70
roff, who was crying for help with all his might.
hoping TO attract the attention OF neignoors OF
passers-by, and bound him with r0pes.
Now sea- Gil him accurately! MS time noun
ing shall escape mel"
Nicholas, however, when thus confronting I'M
minent danger, mad recovered Ills presence OF
mind, and scOrnful smile even played on MS
lips The gendarmes began 10 search him. He
was stripped OF his eIo,hing-poekets, boots,
even his hair. was thoroughly searched. Moth
ing was found but a tobacco-bag and pen'
knife. Palkin was foamng with rage.
more? Well, we'll see. All has not been tried
yet; and If have to kill you must have those
pa Seao, Speak, where are they hid?" .,n,oor.
This gesture made The Colonel furious
Tie him TO that bench and fetch nagaika!,
Nicholas turned deadly pale. The nagaika is
kn0ut, strap OF leather with two Knots, the
end OF which Is fOrked like the tongue OF SER
pent. After hundred blows the flesh is gener-
ally gone from the bones, and no man Is able 10
bear live hundred blows.
Nicholas was lied to The bench, and they only
waited for the man who had been sent for the
.0bey me ~ said PalKin to Popotf. You
have moments time yet TO consider. Don't be
obstinate Tell me youi secret
replied Popoh, :" but you shall never learn my
secret I'd rather bite of my tongue, you
wretched spy aud traitor shall yet live 10 see
Palkin laughed cruelty and sat down facing the
bench. The nagaka was brought in.
:" We'll Now begin and Strike slowly, SO ne
may have time to reflect and give me the answer
Iwant."
The knout whIzzed through the air and fell
upon tile bare back of the wretched yicIim: In,
stanty dark blue marx appeared, ana Popou
uttered a heartrending cry. He bit into the wood
OF the bench and did not complain further.
After the twentieth stroke the blood poured
forth streams. large fragments OF ueSll
were torn oil. The pain was TOO fearful. Nicho-
las let 80 the bench IN which his teeth had made
deep indentaiionS and began 10 cry madly. Pal-
kin was calmly smoking his cigar.
"At last !" lie exclaimed. Have you opened
your mouth at last? Perhaps you Will now be
Kind enough 10 answer"
With a gesture OF the hand he ordered the
gendarme 10 stop; The fellow cooiy wiped the
came OIL. which lie cOolly threw aside. P0r0h's
throat ratified like that of a dying man.
Where is the paper l want?" asked the
Colonel. Nicholas turned his face TO the cruel
man, and In his bloody, fearful eyes invlnclble
resoluteness still spoke clearly.
You shall get nothing from me, cursed hang
mani" he replied.
well, let US seein
And down came the nagaika again. The torture
was all the more cruel, rs 1t had been inter
rupteu. At the first blow Popon uttered 4 per
fecty fearful, heartrendDg cry Palkin laughed.
At each blow POpolps cries became less Violent
his trembling less perceptible. AT last he hardly
breathed. Paikin thought the gendarme was
tired.
strike BETTER" he ordered, "or you share P0-
pOtps fate!"
TIVE gendarme struck with all his force. He
struck the backbone. POpoH uttered such
terrific cry that the soldier himself was terrified.
"Wi yOu answer nOw?"
Never" breathed Nicholas, who was dying.
''StriF strike | say !" shouted Palkin. BE
low, at his legs and feet Make him feel the
nagaika ~
Al this moment the door opened and DR.. Haas
entered. lie slowly walked up 10 Palkn
where does this man come from Pr shouted
ia oil I'm al m I'm la q
tor"
In the meantime the nagaika had regularly
fallen and risen Nicholas gave no longer any
sign OF nfe. Hass went to the bench and put his
hand on POpOffs head.
Enough of this torture !" lie said in a tone of
command. Your victim is dying !"
GO on stlIke hard !" cried Palkin furious at
the interruption. II can talk to the doctor after
ward"
ment Haas snatched from his hand and threw ii
aside.
Enough J" he exclaimed. "Why, the poor
unfortunate man has given up the ghosti'
PalEin approached The doctor and seized him
by the arm. Tired aud disguised with the pun
lsnment he had been compelled to intilct, the ex-
ecuIioner looked in amaZement at the man who
dared defy bis COlOnei, and never thought OF
picking up the nagalka.
Haas quietly confronted the Colonel
DO you know, doctor. that you guilty OF
resisting The authority OF the Government, and
mat you may have 10 pay dear for it2 How did
you gel in? Answer"
Haas disengaged himself calmly and said:
"Aow me first to assist the dying man."
"a man who is dying aud yet takes his secret
with him into the grave, you mean. But do you
know what is awaiting you yourself, old quaek?
Haas cast a cold look al him, and replied with
unaffected calmness:
No one knows his fate. Allow me Just now,
however, TO assist this poor mau"
This calmness Infatuated the Colonel beyond
control.
"He aud you and your Count, you are all OF
you simply band of traitors You say lie is
dead W ell, then you no doubt know his secret
and Will perhaps reveal it 10 me- Halo, therel
unite that dying man there and 20 TO work on
this mad fellow in his place. ThapH give us new
pleasure. Ha! hal" he laughed wildly; after
all shall attain my endi"
Haas measured him with look OF contempt.
You, insane man. threaten me when you
ought 10 be very humble. Listen"
do YOU think FL listen TO your empty stuff?
Bind thls old man. You are too tired" he said
to The man who had beaten Popon ana called
The man was slow 10 obey the Colonel. Haas
rose to his full height now aud said:
however, Will not give up your intention your
wish shall be fulfilled. HeIp!'' he cried
with laundering voice.
inHantly rafting noise was heard as If win
dOwpanes were broken, ana In the opening ap-
peared two rifles pointed al the Colonel. AT The
same time The door was burst open violently,
swords, flied tile room. Palkn was at first con-
fused, but soon recovered his nsoence
Here Is the rebellion! Aha! We are only
three of US, but This unarmed rab6le we shall
soon master Come on, children! We shall
soon have assistance semi from town!"
The gendaTmes obeyed, but they fell almost ill.,
stantly, being shot down by the two rfemen.
The eXiles surrounded PalkD Haas busted him
self with lhe dgtzg nla;i, as II the combat did not
concern INN al ALL -
''You must take the Colonel alive" ordered
voice IRON the window. III ten Of you fall. you
must take him alive"
1--WE shall see hat" eplIed the gendarme un-
daunted. You have not gotten me yet"
He fired pistol twice Into the thiekest OF his
assallInls. Then lie alone resisted the over
whelming force Of cxlies. Gigantic as he was.
be struck with bis sword right and left and
fought on. even after lie mad been seriously ln-
juIed by heavy clubs. He tried 10 gain the door,
woundng and killing whoever was In his way,
ana all the time shouting for help. Blood was
flowing In streams.
A certain mistrust seized upon the exiles.
Eight men had fallen under The blows OF the
colossal, raging soldier. Pakln had actually
reached the door. when all OF sudden he lost
his balance and fell TO the ground. new enemy
had appeared and struck him down with one
powerful blow.
The gendarme cared like wild beast.
AT last l have you, vile yermin!" exclaimed
Miller. u was lie who, watching the fight from
the window, had used favorable moment to
attack Palkin from behind. In moment the
Colonel was disaImed and bound, IN spite of his
vloleut resistance. Now Miller went TO the win
dow and, taxing of his kospak, lie said:
Countess there IL no danger now. You can
enter"
To be continued neat Sunday.