Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1890-01-09

save the throne. "Soudeikin must be spared
from going with ME to Moscow; why should
he risk his life at such a critical timer ex-
claimed once his majesty, when his aid re-
ported to him of the arrangements made to
insure his safety during the time Alexander
III was TO be crowned in Moscow as the tar
of all the Russias.
Such kind disposition of the tar became
known to the colonel. He was sure the tzar
would make him minister were IL not for the
Counts Tolstoi and Pleve, respectively minis
tiers of the interior and justice who stood in his
way The two shrewd counts had a good
reason TO fear, in Soudeikin, powerful com
petitor for their places, and kept him in the
background as much as they could, to the
ever growing anger of the colonel. They be-
came the principal object of his hatred; they
must give way The grudge of years
standing finally resolved itself into a scheme
calculated to attain the desired end. Degaieff
was taken into confidence.
The scheme was this: Degaieff was to or
ganizo a terroristic party of his own, with
himself as the head of the executive commit
tee. A series of well executed minor murders,
which Soudeikin win take care not TO discov-
er, was 10 terrorize the tar and the minis
tiers. Meanwhile the colonel was to resign
his post, to further embarrass the emperor
This done, Degaieff was to execute the final
deed
xiii Count Tolstoi and some one of the
imperial family, say the Grand Duke Vladi-
mir, v says Soudeikin. "This will have sure
effect upon the fear stricken tar; Tolstoi
will be out of my way; will become the in
dispensable man, and will dictate my own
termS.n
Once minister, he, with Degaieff, were to
constitute secret compact; they would rule
the underground, as well as the "over-
ground" Russia; the tar, the court, the
ministry, the people, would be at their
mercy.
l must add here that, Notwithstanding the
seeming absurdity, the plans of the chief of
the secret police were well based. Soudeikin,
the most artful and successful Russian de
tective, was recognized as such by every one
from the emperor down. Terrorized by Mini
lists, the court regarded Soudeikin as their
only guardian; they would concede to him
anything TO have his protection.
The chief detective took care to keep the
imperial family in state of perpetual fear
for their lives. Whenever Nihilists showed
signs OF fatigue he organized fictitious ter
roristic circles, plotting murder; he discov-
cred these plots, arrested participants and
secretly set them free again, once more to
plot and murder.
The preparations TO murder Count TOlstoi
and the Grand Duke Vladimir were begun in
earnest Detectives were told Off to watch
the daily movements and the habits of life of
the two selected victims, and day for the
execution of the deed appointed.
But here the official conspirator had TO
make "A halt.
The way IL came 10 pass deserves TO be mar
rated here: Monster of crime himself, De-
gaieif, the intimate friend of Soudeikin, was
horrified by the cold blooded, constituencies
Vaccinations of his superior. The man in
him began to revolt. Gradually his conscience
awakened, he shrank back, he detested Sou
deikin, he abhorred him. He no longer
wanted 10 continue his abominable duty; he
would rather die, but first he must kill Sou
deikin.
Degaief next appears To the Nihilsts. He
does not expect their forgiveness for his IN
fernal deeds; he merely asks their help % kill
Soudeikin.
What spectacle! And yet the two detect
ives were not alone Born and grown in the
atmosphere which he inhaled, Soudeikin was
one amongst all who constitute the official
Russia, who breathe the same air, infesting,
degrading. Repulsive rs it il, il is a good
omen to those who wish to see Russia free.
The revolutionists agreed TO help. and
Soudeikin died victim of his own revolving
system of decentralization
Little is known of Degaiefrs life previous
to his becoming n spy. For an offense of "A
political character he was tried by a court
and sentenced 10 deportation 10 Siberia.
Thence he wrote TO Soudeikin imploring for
giveness and offering his services He was
at once returned to st. Petersburg, and as
quickly became an intimate friend Of his
benefactor. The latter paid full confidence
TO his new acquaintance, often visited him in
his house, chatting and scheming until early
morning.
At O'Clock in the evening of Dec. 10, 1887.
Soudeikin was 10 be the invited guest ia the
house of his intimate friend By this hour
three revolutionists entered the house and
took positions-two behind the entrance door
and one in the library. The chief came, ac-
companied by Soudofsky, a relation of his
and a treasurer of the police department.
The visitors took OFF their coats and sat mt
the table of the reception room. Friendly
greetings being exchanged with the host, the
after invites them to the library. He enters
the room first and places himself against the
window Soudeikin follows him.
A report OF a pistol! The chief shrieks in
terror He is wounded. He madly rushes
into the vestibule, followed by Soudofsky.
Sharp, shrill cries for help resound through
the roomsi Both are met with blows OF
crowbars, and fall on the floor Their ap-
peals weaken, and silent death finally ends
their abominable lives.
The revolutionists and the host safely de-
part. Late in the night two hfeless bodies
were found in the deserted apartments. They
were recognized, and an alarm was sent out
through all the police precincts of st. Peters
burg. The governor of the province hur-
riedly galloped to the palace to report the oc-
currence.
Soudeikins body was escorted to the grave
Following the coffin was floral decoration,
borne by two members of the detective force.
This was sent by the tzarina herself as the
last tribute Ito the one who honestly fulfilled
his duties 10 the end, !" as the inscription an
nounced. A fit tributel
So, Soudeikin is deadl
Ay, mol He is alive, and will live till he
kills the tzar, till he kills tzarism.
I.un HAprH.u