The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1891-06-27

| Innocence. OF course. But comrades.
| suppose we endeavor 70 find him out,
Let as search each other. The traitor.
whoever he may be- must doubtless
have in his possession some proof OF
his guilt. At least the experiment Is
worth trying. What say YOU'D
agreed. agreed.r exclaimed the
nihilists. as with one accord they
s2rang conyulsiyely 4 their feet. On.
Ct the students-a tall. lank youth.
with a somewhat foppish appearance
objected. however. TO the proposal.
'.But why?" holly demanded tho
professor who seemed all eagerness
TO begin the investigation.
because was tho h~esitating re-
jolnder. ''becauso il IL unnecessary.
Our word OF honor ought to be enough.
Besides. there Is something degrading
In the idea OF searching one another.
as IL indeed. we were a lot of pick
pockets. So let us break up The meet
ing. This excitement l. absurd. and
renderc the discussion OF our plot inn
possible. As for the story told by the
drunken soldier In the cafe. z don't
believe a word Of it,"
These words produced an angry
murmur among the excited c~onspira-
tors. The protest seemed so ridicu-
lous; and as tho clamor increased van
turned TO the speaker and warmly, *
claimed. Very well. we shall abstain
from searching you. since you wish it.;
but remember this. that II we fail 10
a,I 4. ,y... A. 49, tnfn 1u
those who willingly submit to the ex-
animation we shall then know upon
whom 10 fix our suspicious. Now.
comrades. search me first; | am
ready"
In a moment the speakers pockets
were emptied OF their contents. and
even the lining of his clothes was care.
fully searched; but beyond "A few old
love letters, some political pamphlets.
and an English newspaper with a par
agraph oblitorated with lamp-black.
nothing OF an discriminating character
was found. A second student readily
submitted TO the test-if test II was
with similar results. Then a third
stopped forward and placed himself in
the hands Cf his companions. But at
that moment IA curious incident oc-
Cured. An invisible hand suddenly
extinguishcd the light OF the candle.
and in IA second the room was plunged
In utter darkness.
What did IL mean9 Who had
quenched the light? For n moment
the nihilists remained m~Otionless. as
~ rnntnI A., ~. gnnt A thar HutnnAA
in alarm they heard. strange creaking
sound In the direction Of the curtained
window.
Suddenly the voice Of Ivan exclaimed
in the darkness:
Comrades. this Is a trick! Listen!
Come one Is endeavoring To escape by
the window. It.is the traitor at last.
His att tempt TO escape betrays his guilt.
Stand back! | know how TO deal with
him"
In IN instant the report OF three re-
volve' shots nj through the o and
was followed by an agonizing yell AS
some n fell heavily upon the floor.
A profound silence then ensued.
IL was an awful situation.
AZ length Ivan spoke 10 his terrified
companions.
Strike n light now" he said. in a
trembling voice. and let IL look upon
tn. face OF a traitor. VIII no one
mcve? Are you all afraid TO gaze upon
the dead body OF "A miscrcanf who has
betrayed us 90 our enemies? Come.
professor. where are the matches? You
had them last But hush! What sound
/, thatP Listenl BY heavens. COM
rades. the police are upon us already.
;he house Is surrounded! Quick Here
IL "A trap-door known only 10 myself.
Z. leads 10 the main owe and Is our
only hope of escape. Follow me-
Cropping hand In hand in the dark.
She afTrighted men followed the speak
er's directions. and after some moment
airy confusion. disappeared into a
noisome abyss. None too soon. in
another instant the door OF the room
was battered 60 pieces. and "A company
Of gendarmcs entered. Lights now
flashed in every direction. but II was
obvious 20 all that the conspirators had
escaped. The officer In charge sworc
long and deep. and ordered the men
TO search the house from top 10 bottom.
Then. advancing toward the window.
he stumbled over "A human body.
Whats thisp" he exclaimed. ex-
aiming the dead mans features with
n lantern. 'dHa! so they have caught
you at last, my friend. have they?
Well, you played the spy long and
we'll. but IL always comes TO this in
the end"
And tearing down the window cur
tain, the officer threw IL over the rigid
body of-the professor. "A. McDougal
In Pail Mall Budget.
Tropical insects.