San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1890-07-19

co any one mere and take these twenty dol
lars for your discretion. Is it bargaini"
While the exile was taking a note from his
wallet, the Jew said to him, as he stretched
out his hand:
"If you also have Secrets
"Well?n
Then we can have an understanding"
"Speakl"
II am selling gold dustin good condi-
toni"
"Stolen gold1"
"Not so loudl Gold taken from those who
put their hands on it without having taken
the trouble to mine it. This" added he,
drawing from his bosom small squirrel skin
bag, "comes from the sands of the Amou-
Daria. Feel the weight of It'll Twenty
eight ounces-almost no silver at all mixed
with it and still less copper than silver"
"And you will give me all this dust for Q
little Of my own goldi"
"Yes-for gold coin or even paper money"
Yegor could not avoid smiling at the idea
Of this exchange Of contraband gold for that
bearing the stamp of the State.
There is more than three hundred dol
lars worth. Task only seventy-five. Is that
too much."
''No; it is not too much. But I am not
rich, and wish to present your bag to the
Esaoule."
"You have then a very great favor to
purchased"
"Perhaps. 1 will give you fifty dollars"
mo; prefer to go to the Esaoule, for
whom have, besides, a verbal commission
from the Esaoule Of Niini-Kolimsk"
"But what Of the money gave you and
our agreements"
81 forgot that" said the Jew. 'Well, I
will not see the Esaoule, but you will go as
high as sixty dollarsl"
agreed, my friend. Pass me your bag;
there are people in that room who must be
weary of waiting for me-"
The exchange of gold and paper was made,
and the purchaser and seller departed in
different directions, apparently satisfied with
the bargain"
ut was with you, Esaoule" said Yegor,
returning to the low-ceilinged room, ''that
the Jew had business. He asked me to hand
you this"
The official weighed the little bag in his
hand. He partially opened it, and saw the
precious yellow gold sparkling within.
He did not hesitate second.
81 know" said he, land thank youl"
He grasped the bag and gave Yegor a
look which could have but one signifca-
ton, namely, that he trusted to his discre-
ton.
"The scoundrel !" muttered Yermac, who
had lost nothing either Of the brief dialogue
or the movements accompanying it. He al
lows himself to be bought"
1t was too much for him. He was about
to speak, to denounce the fugitives before
the Cossacks of the ostrog. He was about
to reproach the Esaouie with his venality
and make a scene. He persuaded himself
without further hesitation that there existed
in him two things, morally independent Of
each other-the functionary and the man.
If the man had contracted debt of graft
tude, he was free to pay it when and how he
thought best; the funCtiOnary was obliged
to discharge obligations much more con-
tracted, much more rigorous
"Esaoule," he began.
Yegor and Nadege saw from the express
sion of his face that, at last, he was going
to denounce them.
But the Esaoule had Just caught an idea,
brilliant idea, he thought; and he cried,
vivaciously, interrupting the chief of po-
lice:
"Allow mel have thought, Messieurs,
of a way to arrange everything"
"What is it, Esaoule?" asked Yermac.
''It is this: You can all depart on your
journey and that tomorrow, after night OF
rest and warmth in this house. Two of my
Cossacks will accompany you and will assure
me on their return Of the truth-which no
longer doubt for that matter-of the story
you have told me-"
81 very willingly accept your Offer" Veg
or fastened to say though the new prospect
presented by the relaymaster'S PROPOSE
ton filed him with terror; but he preferred
being escorted by two CossackS over the
road to Nijni-KOlimsk to being delivered
up by Yermac. The danger was less imme-
date.
The chief of police, for his part, on hear
ing announced the terms of the arrange
ment decided upon by the Esaoule, sudden
ly felt weaken in him that determination
which, uoment before, he was about to
take soresolutely, on seeing Yegor and his
companions apparently slipping from him,
thanks to the purchased completely OF the
relay master. He resolved to remain silent,
thinking that he would, perhaps, before
long, get the better of his adversaries, and
that, too, without having to do aught against
them.
Yegor, who was observing him, noticed
this change, and said to the Esaoule, in a
tone Of great relief:
"Well, Monsieur, you have now nothing
further to do than to look after our teams"
'Rest easy" answered the Esaoule; ''you