The morning call., 1890-04-14
V-CoNTINUED.

have continued for some time, as their pas
slonately agitated features testified. Mil
ler's face was especially excited. he was
deadly pale, but in his eyes glowed an IN
canny fire.
Il have told you," he said. 81 am ready
for anything you may order to be done. The
straight road is nuisance to my eyes. But
yesterday l allowed myself to be misled by
my better feelings and gave my last money
to people who were even poorer than | am.
That has not paid well. To-day l have had
literally not morsel Of food
" The more readily you will comprehend
that cannot agree to your demands, said
Schelm.
For five long years 1 have led this miser-
able life, and might if needs be, stand it a
little longer, To be sure, have often felt
sick and tired of it. The philosophers tell
us that be is happy who needs little-but
they ought to have added and does not have
an empty stomach Your offers are vulgar.
But why not do vulgar thing? Only l
cannot respect the thief who makes dis
tinctiOn between him who steal loaf of
bread and who runs away with a
million. The world deSpises both
alike, but the thief knows the differ
ence. If you wanted me to steal
few rubles l should say nothing. But
as it is, l tell you; | will not leave the
path OF virtue and of honor without heing
paid well for it. After that may happen
what Will 1t is only the first step that
calls for courage; afterward we do no
longer miDQ conscience anu us Tepr0aCn6S.
Do you und eTstand me?"
Perhaps. You surely never had SO
muGl money in your life!"
u had at times ten, perhaps twenty, times
as much"
But Just now you have not 10 kopecks in
your pockets"
For that very reason my conversion TO
the bad must produce g0odly sum- Other
wise l do not sell my honor and my con-
science. have mentioned my price. Ten
thousand silver rubles and an annual in
come of the same amount during the time
OF my mission"
But, my dear friend, consider moment
what your demands are. l myself have
only 1900 rubles year! If pay you 5000
out OF that at once, and then defray the
other expenses besides, | would really take
the bread out Of my own mouth, and if l
did more than that l would simply ruin
myself"
And what is your ruin to me? Do
sou think sell myself to you in order to
please your"
Sehelm looked at him threateningly.
Cautious, Miller. be cautious"
Miller laughed aloud.
I" Dear friend, how could you hurt me- Do
you think Of Imprisonment? What is that
to me? Board costs nothing there and per-
haps | should fare even better there than as
free man. And Siberia? That would
give me most desirable change of air and
perhaps l would be happier there than here.
No. no, am IN such state Of abject misery
mat can fear nothing worse l say there
fore, pay out your money or | 60"
How could l raise at once such O sum pr
a man who fills such q high office as
you do does not mind paltry 10000 rubles.
Besides, you know very well that ii vour
plan succeed, all your expenses will be re-
paid a hundredfold."
Schelm covered his brow with his hand
and reflected long time; then he seemed
suddenly TO have come TO decision, for he
Grew from his pocket large portemonnaie
and said to Miller:
May |, at least, count upon your loyalty,
and bind obedience? You would be lost
were you to betray me.'
Why will you give yourself the trouble
TO threaten me? | have told YOU l have
nothing to fear. Rich people and men in
high position may tremble when they think
OF the dark power you WELD, but |, l do not
care. L was born an honest man. AS I
was honest in good things l shall not cease
TO be honest in bad things also. As soon as
tirely"
Schelm looked at him sharply, opened
his portemonnaie and began slowly TO count
the bank notes. At the sight of the money
Miller eyes gloWed with cOYetOuSneSS.
Schelm counted them once more, pinned
them together and said finally:
Here are the 10000 rubles you demand"
Miller eagerly stretched out his hand.
"One moment" said Schelm. WHO Sc
cures me that when you have my money,
you keep your promise?"
Miller drew himself up with dignity:
My word ought to satisfy you'll"
ochelm laughed Seornfully.
This harsh, defying laugh wounded Mil
ler's heart. He hung his head and said in
low voice:
''schelm, Sehelm, it is not right in you to
treat me SOP
"Ha! ha! hap laughed Schelm again,
quite as contemptuously as before. you
DO not m ma Ike
word of honor? Confess that is rather
comical IN such moment"
The man from Courland sprang up and
walked up to the great man. His face was
distorted his mouth.
Look here, my friend,' he said in a SUP
pressed tone OF voice and in abrupt SEN
fences; we have sat upon the same
benches at school and entered life together.
GU can Today DO me favor ior which |
shall be your lifelong debtor. You have a
big sum Of money in your hand. With
that you wanted to buy me and for bad
purpose. DO more! Lend me the hun
dredth part Of the amount The hunilia-
ton which your laughter has inflicted upon
NE Will give me the necessary strength to
perseyere in the path of virtue. | shall re-
pay the 100 rubles, preserve my honor and
begin TO work. Do this, Schoolmate, and
good deed"
Tears stified his voice; his eyes and his
whole carriage were eloquent Schelm took
eli his spectacles and regarded him as he
would have regarded curiosity; at last he
turned aside and said, very dryly:
u do not understand you"
Miller passed his sleeve quickly over his
moist eyellds, suppressed his sobS, turned
round M and fell into chair. ~
: y was fool" he cried. "How could
expect to find in Schelm trace of a noble
sentiment? In vainI l cannot escape my
late; cannot remain an honest man when
everything Is against me. / am ready to
sell myself. Pardon me for thinking for
moment even, so well of both of usi Let
us make our bargain"
Silent and solemn as usual, Schelm made
no reply. Miller trembled at the thought
that he might break off the negotiations.
Inc Inc notes were still lying on the table.
Miller looked at them fxedIy: they would
suffice HIM for life. All of a sudden a cramp
seized him in the stomach and reminded
MIN that he was suffering hunger With a
trembling voice he repeated, therefore:
Hand it here! / am ready for every
thing"
Sehelm answered cOolly:
on VIII write me an acknowledgment
OF Indebtedness for that sum and a solemn
promise to do my bidding. These last five
minutes nave increased my distrust cGnsId-
erably."
The man breathed again.
IL that Is all, willingly. Dictate if you
choose, Pll sign anything"
Sehelm dictated:
/ have received from NJ. Schelm. head of
division IN the Ministry of the Interior,
the sum of 10000 rubles as COMPENSATION for
the trouble and the steps witch | pledge
myself to take in behalf OF the speedy dis
covery OF all the motives and the branches
Of the conspiracy"
At these words Schelm paused. Miller
looked up at him and their glanees met for
moment
- How shall we call themP"
Write La and leave space for several
letters. If the thing succeeds everybody
Will know what that means"
Milleps hand did not tremble; he wrote
the prescribed letters. Schelm rose and
looked over the writer's shoulders. In the
folds of the pOrtiere the head of Nicholas
went on debating;
biud myself to serve N. Schelm as