The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1890-06-15

~ had to keep them close at hand to produce
them whenever you might call for them But
what are they to me, II we can become recon
eucdY You wanted 10 aVenRe Y0urset on Lanln
for Ru unknown Insult but l assure you that
your insult shIinks into nothing when compaT ell
VITA what has happened TO me-"
PalklH spoke with such passionate fire that
SeheIm recognized the voice OF truth, and The
Two men shook hands.
DO you know, Palkln." said Schelm, awe
must make an end OF il with these people, l no
longer late them, but l sometimes fear them.
Now, / am a Senator, a man OF importance in
The empire, the husband OF the rich daughter OF
a German banker, and with great future before
NE. But for this one affair | would be happy
But sim uemble lest something should turn
up. This IS what makes me ask for the position
as TeylsOr-to get rid Of them forever. Both
Count Lanin and his wife must disappear and
leave no trace behind. l shall prosecute them
aud Worty Them TO death Rut l need rest;
cannot sleep. IL you will honestly assist me |
promise TO become your ally"
Palkin looked so ScOTBfully at the reVsoT that
he uncOnsciOusly cast down his eyes.
And yet you are already nedltaung how you
may shake me of, when am no longer useful
tool g? But do not mind that! AS long as am
10 possession OF Tins weapon OF mine which
would not surrender Tor hundreds OF thousands,
yOu are pOwerless against me. | shall be your
faithful ally although You know now rejoice at
your good fortune, and that l would rather see
you statye. What do you say2'
Schelm replied in voice which sounded al
most sincere:
~ Why should we not try, at least? Wen, what
can you tell ME bout LannY'
" Last week | learned through my spies that
my secretary, Nicholas Popof, whom you knew
/ beeve-"
= Is he here2" broke in Schelm.
" You need not be afraid Of his evidence. He
is dead :"
.'He is not alive any longsri Is that true?"
" Do you thiuK a man can receive 500 blows
with the nagalka and live? did not get Iily,
ana can hardly move"
" You were knouted? You, CooneI?n
Palkin shook at the mere recollection, and his
voice became tile ntterance OF savage cruelty.
Listen play. For some time before l had
followed the traces Of a vast conspi acy which
had many members among the Siberian eXes.
suspected BOTH LanlD aud POp0h Of being IN
VOWED. l mad Dly Secretary watched and caught
him one day at Ldnin's hut. Now, did not lose
sight Of HIM for a moment. One night had the
hut surrounded and found P0pof there. Tie
rebellion was about 10 explode ana certain bands
were already moving about The country. Pupon
seemed 10 be one OF The leaders. | Tried, there
fore, TO make hIni confess by orture."
"Hell, what happened ne&t?"
"The wretch would not cOnfessi He was dying
when mob entered the hut. One of tile men
arrested in that ace Of clubs conspiracy was at
sehelm looked as Il he were going to faint. He
turned deadly pale and asked. with trembling
VINO wast2"
81 do nut know. I only saw them when they
were arrested VIII the exception OF Laniu, L
would not recognize any one OF lbem"
Could you describe the man perhaps p?
" You viii find, If you will condescend to listen,
that had little time TO examine his feaiuies.
MI hOiC uOouo 81 ludb lICA all lOuhfu dilhc, anu
an exile'a hut IS not apt 30 be brilliantly IL
Illuminated"
Before Schelm's eyes Millers threatening form
had appeared, and he began 10 think that his
IabGTs 10 Siberia would hardly be much more
pleasant than his WORK IN rsburg.
This band Of rebels had been drawn 10 the
village by the Countess Lanln aud DR.. Haas, her
lDseparable companion !"
what the Countess Lanln7" exclaimed
Sehelm. jumping up with delight.
yes Not only l, but others also saw her !"
ffAt last | get good ~
AT the same lime lie was at the door and called
the Adjutant on duty:
Request The Governor TO come to me at once |"
JOyousy he rubbed his hands and returned TO
his seat.
600 on quickly"
THAT band was armed with carbines. My gen.
daTmes were instantly thrown down. myself
fought as long as i could, and cut down d num-
Der Of these men but in the end was overpow
cred. tied 10 a post and cruelty knOuled.p
Senem's maligniIy WIS too strong for his cum
ming. He could not conceal his delight, and
laughed aloud Palkin bit his lips to keep back
bis fury but In his eyes gowed The fire OF I'M
quencliaOe hatred.
"You may laugh, nowi" he murmured to him
sell.
Now to the point: The CAPTAIN OF gendarmes
of lrkulsk was their accUmDllee %
Mot possible! Low could The Governor have
such people near him 2"
II shall speak OF him, also. presently Enough,
this Captain offered 10 nfiet the punishment. "
Sehelm was terrified.
'.Not possible! You don't tell the truth ~
"YOu Will soon find IL to be the truth; re-
ceiYed fifty blows while was wrirhng at the
feet OF these wretches. The Countess ana the
doctor were wise enough TO 60 away when they
saw how matters stood; only the maid OF the
Countess Tue betrOthed OF POpOf. remained be-
mind, weeping and praying over The body. Un-
expecteuly help came IN time TO save my lie.
One OF the Cossacks had escaped the rebels and
called detachment OF soldiers, who came IN the
nick Of lime. AT The sight OF the uniforms all
fled. / was barely abe TO order the arrest OF the
Captain and Popof's betrOthed. The Inspector
and the COssacKs viii bear witness that Lann
participated IN lie affair.""
The Governors aide here entered the apart
ment.
"Tbe Governor" he said. very much embar-
raised. is mOmentafily engaged; he sends
word, however, that lie VIII be here Directly
Sciem furious he did not know what
10 do.
do you know who 1 amp" he thTeatenngy
asked The poor trembling offlcer.
''Y Yes, your Exceliency."
" The Governor is himself responsible for his
own conduct, but you must be ready to carry out
every one OF my orders"
- Yes, your ExcelleDcy."
&" You will 20 instantly 10 the house occupied
by the Countess Lanin. Arrest every person
whom you may find there, even strangers. The
matter Is important. Do you llear?'
- But, your"
Sehelm spraDg up from the chair.
"Are you still here2 Do you wish 10 be court
martIaled?"
The Adiutant went away in great terror.