Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-04-27

general confusion the Secretary named Il
members, with eight corresponding cards
Then each man present drew a card from the
pack that was lying on the table and threw
IL into basket. The President, to whom
the basket was handed, mentioned there
upon the nine names upon which the lot had
fallen. Then Miller turned ironically tc
the conspirators and said:
| Gas we have no other room and all leave
at the same time to avoid suspicion, beg
you will wait while in the anteroom. In
a moment you shall be called"
The conspirators felt humiliated by Mil.
ler's naughty manner. All, even Ace oi
Spades, now regretted their want of conf
dence. In deep silence they waited.
When Miller had only the nine delegates
before him, he drew himself up proudly and
said:
Gentlemen, I am happy that the choice
has fallen upon you. I, myself, could not
have chosen better. Those who are to hear
my words must be tried pen, ready for
everything. Gentlemen, you wished to
know Ace of Clubs. L will crafty your
wish. I, myself, am Ace of Clubs"
All drew back dumbfounded. In the
meantime Miller had quickly drawn forth a
black mask with hood, covered his head
| and in a changed voice exclaimed:
| 'Do you recognize this mask and this
voice9'
Then casting aside in . somewhat theatri-
cal but dignifed manner both mask and
| hood, he added:
"You need then mysterious influences
| and important individualities? Genius and
mind are enough for the multitudel I knew
| this. I had in mind a gigantic project
| which had invented, prepared and elabora-
ted. To carry # out 1 needed hand.
Then you admitted me to your circle. 1t
counted only II members, and all your
dreams and your ambitions amounted to the
reading of forbidden books. I came, I
kindIed yonr imagination and warmed your
patriotism, filled you with courage, but
what was in your eyes? An honest man,
that was all. If I had offered to become
your leader you would have thought me in
sane. Then appeared one day before you,
masked, bringing in one hand Schimon's
pardon, and in the other 5000 rubles. The
Colonel has introduced me here. Ask him
why he did it."
II had," said the Colonel, received
letter from our correspondent in London,
who recommended you. Two of our brethren
vouched tor the masked man. At the sight
of the money and the pardon I hesitated no
longer"
"How I could do all this" continued
Ulller, I suali, perudps, bel1 yOu ueIediLer,
but you know how my cunning, my power
full intellect, has overcome every imp mpediment
in our way. do not deny that was in
dorsed by a man, an enthusiast for our holy
cause, who was ready to support it, and who
had opened me up an unlimited credit.
This man is still alive, has large means and
extensive relations, but he is not man of
great weight in the empire, and need not
hide behind a mask. You shall see him
Saturday. He gave me the money spent,
he made my task easy tor me, but, after ali,
he was but an instrument in my hands, which
I knew how to use proftably. ALI this I
have done alonel Gentlemen, now you
know mel Do you acknowledge me as your
leader?"
"Yesl yesp' they cried with one voice.
They had listened in silence; they could
not conceal their surprise their admiration.
Miller opened the door.
Gentlemen, come in. pray you. One
of the delegates will draw up the resolu-
tions. must leave you now. Colonel, will
you follow me?"
He gave Ten Of Hearts his arm, and
proudly lett the hall. In the street he said
goodby to the Colonel, adding;