The morning call., 1890-05-11

proVeIb. Schelm gave me so. 900 rubles for the
papers anu mat round sum led NE into lempta-
iiOn."
men"
What is there strange In that? What do You
complain OFF Did you entrust those documents
10 me? Did not find them during the inquiry.
and had Aot the right 10 use them for my own
benefit ?'
-. - doubt Tot that a CHEF OF gendarmes will
Look here, Popofl" said Palkln. Struggling
MS shoulders, enough OF these complaints aud
TepToaches Listen rather. l never wished you
III. and do not to day"
Because the worst has come TO me-" said
Nicholas, bitterly. " But speak!'
"As soon as Schelm found out that had the
PAPERS lie became very humble aud submissive,
and declared finally Lis desire 10 buy them Of me.
IMAM 10 lnJure Ilydl. But no sooner did Sehelm
get hold OF the papers But did you not have
some more papeis?" asked Palkin, interruptlng
his narrative.
Hgned by Miller, Which compromises him
seriouSly. This however, did not satisfy him;
De constantly asked for more and kept me an
hour luquTlng- Could you possibly possess
some more papers against him?' asked Palkin,
looking sharply at PopUff.
Like Hash OF lightning Nicholas eye blaZed
upiof single instant. The Colonel, an old po-
lceman, had noticed 1t. but waited with pre-
ien1ed indlfieIence for an answer. Popof
:" How conld keep anything concealed here?
mad 10 undress VIII was searched; even my
VERY true" said Palkin, "but what cannot
De kept concealed when man will do it?"
Popon
THAT is a pity Formal proof would have
neen very useful to YOU But ii is no use lament
well" continued Palkin, "as soon as
Sehelm had gotten The papers and saw that
had no longer any weapon In my hand against
him he changed his tactics. He became openly
my enemy. Denunciations and evil reports
poured In to my superiors. AT first without
elect, these attacks gradually obtained an
haps mainly by dlnt OF constant repeti-
lion. In vain l tried to convince him that
Schelm was malicious man and his conspiracy
. hciion- This injured me seriously, and one
hne morning received the appointment OF head
Of HE gendalmes-in East SibeLlal"
:" But That Is a very high Office. Surely you
cannot complain"
g DO you thing so? Then you do not know
what such an Office means for a man who has
been coOlly dismissed by his chief. You are told
that 1t is only for two years, aud that after the
expiration OF that time you will be recalled and
probably promoted 10 higher post. We cannot
decline. Then one. OF two things happ ems
either We are entirely forgotten, and this IS the
preferable late, or they send an Inspector, who
IS specially instructed TO discover mafeasance
IN ONCE or snort accounts. and one hne day We
become exiies and coonists like the rest. You'll
IND IN Kamschatka many a degeneraIed family
whose ancestor was head OF the gendarine ?"
Popof looked surprised at the Colonel, not
knowing what he could mean by this statement
Sehelm Is the cause of my being in disgrace
as with Count Lanini have good teeth and
mean TO bite when i am attacked 1t is now
battle Tor life or death between Schelm and my
sell. lie wants TO become Director of tie secret
police Then 1 should be his subordinate.
must anticipate him. You know much about
him; lie IS your bitter enemy"
% hate him with my whole hearth 7"
Well, lien, Will You follow me? l am going
10 Count Lanin IN Siberia; his wife is travelling
With me- she is here to-day"
Nicholas tfelnbled with excitement
j lie Countess Ldnin here Pr
yes she IS waiting for me al the Postoffice."
PopOn passed his hands over his eyes like one
suddenly aroused from deep sleep.
leH me, please" lie said moment later
where | am. What is the city 10 which this
The question was so heartrendng that even
Paikin felt touched.
You do not know that9 You are in Kasan.
But answer me quickly-will you 90 with me
You aie considered here a very DANCE Gus per-
sonage, and have promised the Governor That
you should surely disappear under nv protec-
noD. III take you as an important prisoner In
my sleigh. DO you agree?"
Popoh could not overcome the distrust which
Palkln produced In his mind
"A y do you make this proposal ?v he asked
81 have told you already. 1 want you TO help
me overthrow Schelm. have no doubt that you
can do H. understand your mistrust. You VIII
Throw 1t oil as soon as you see Count Lanin Bear
order you to do"
"Hou win tase me in your sleigh pr asked
escape?'' "-N "''
Iaikln simply drew himself up to the full
height OF his gigantic frame; then leaning on
Nicholas shoulders, who had been utterly Worn
cur by inactivity and suffering. lie made him at
once sueeumb 10 The pressure of his iron hand
''YOu see % said the Colonel well decide.
VIII you go with me or stay here? / will NOT
Force you. although might easily 40 so. Do You
really wish to spend few more years in this
nut and then be sent 10 Nertschlnsk? do not
object"
P0pon shuddered at The thought.
Il should have fallen az the feet of any one
who should have opened these doors TO me, most
gratefully too. You, alone, | mstrust. Aud
yeti cannot endure this any longer. Yes I'll
follow you'll Give your ordersi"
Onr sleigh will follow the coach OF the
Countess Lanin. You must give me your word
ihat you VIII not speak 10 her TIL 1 give you
- shall obey: Shall see the Count also aud
Later, when we reach Siberia.D