St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1891-05-23

locked Il and placed the key In hi
pocket ''Every one will assert hi
innocence-of course. But, comrades
suppose we endeavor to find him out,
Let M search each other. The traitor
whoever he may be, must doubtless
have In his possession some proof Of hi,
guilt At least, the experiment 4
worth trying. What say your
"Agreedl agrccdr" exclaimed the
nihilistA rs with ono accord they
sprang convulsively to their feet OnS
OF the studcnts-a tall, lank youth
with . somewhat foppish appearance
objected. however. TO the proposal.
''But why?" hotly demanded the pro
fessor. who seemed al eagerness u
begin the investigation.
Because" was the hesatating re'
joindcr. ''honoe ought TO be enough.
Besides there 10 something degrading
In the idea Of searching one another, q
II. indeed. we werc lot Of pickpoclkets.
So let Us break up the meeting. Thil
excitement il absurd. and renders the
discussion Of our plot impossible. A
for the story told BY the drunken soldicz
In the cafe, don't believe . word a
It."
These words produced IN angry mur-
muir among the excited conspirators.
Tho protest seemed 90 ridiculous; and
rs the clamor increased Ivan turned ia
the speaker and warmly exclaimed:
"Very we'll; we shall abstain from
searching you. since you wish Il: but
remember this. that II we fail to flnd Q
clcw to the informant among those who
willingly submit to the examination we
shall then know upon whom to az our
suspicionA Now, comrades, search me
first; ! am ready"
In . moment tho speakers pockets
wcre emptied Of their coutenta, and
even the lining of his clothes was care
fully searched, but beyond . few old
love-letters, some political pamphlets
and IN English newspaper with para-
graph obliterstcd with lampblack moth
ing Of an incriminating character was
found A second student readily sub
mitted to the test-if test Il was-with
similar results. Then third stepped
forward and placed himself In the hands
Of his companions. But 1t that moment
. curious incident occurred. An invisi-
bic hand suddenly cxtinguished the light
Of the candle, and in second the room
was plunged In utter darkness.
What did itmcan? Who had qucnched
tho ight3 For . moment the nihilists
remained motionleaa, a II rooted to tho
spot As they listened in alarm they
heard q strange, crealing sound In tho
direction of the curtained window.
Suddenly the voice Of Ivan exclaimed
In the darkness: ''Comrades, this Is q
trick! Listen! Some ono 10 endeavor-
ing to escape by tho windowi Il IL the
traitor at last His attempt to escape
betrays his guilt Stand back! I know
how to deal with him.
In m instant the reports Of three re-
volvcr shots rang through the room ind
wcro followed by IN agonizing yell -
some one fell heavily upon the Aoor.
A profound silence then ensued.
1t was IN awful situation.
At length Ivan spoke to his terrified
''Strike o light now," he said. in .
voice, land let MS look upon
the face of q traitor. win no one move?
Arc you all afraid to gaze upon tho
dead body Of o miscrcant who has BE-
trayed rs to our enemies? Come, pro-
fcssor, where arc the matches? You
had them last But hushl What sound
Is that? Listen! By heavens. comrades.
The police arc upon rs already. Tho
house Is surrounded! Quick! here II .
trap door known only to myself II
lcods to the main sewer and Is our only
hope Of escape. Follow me-"
Cropping hand in hand In the dark,
he a6righted men followed tho speak
.r's directions, and after somc momcn-
,ary confusion disappeared into .
abyss None too soon. In
another instant the door Of tho room
was battered to pieces, and . company
II gcndarmes entered Lights wcro
low flashed in every direction, but IL
was obvious to all that the conspirators
aad escaped. Tho officer in charge
'worc long and deep and ordered the
mem to search the house from top to
bottom Then, advancing toward the
he stumbled over Q human
,ody.
"Wha&'s this?" he exclaimed, exam
mining tho dead mans features with .
antcrn. ''Hs! % they have caught you
{ last, my friend, have they? Well.
'ou played the spy long and well. but
{ always come to this In the end"
And tearing down the window cur
ain the officer threw Il over the rigid
,ody of-the professor.-Pall Mall Bud
pAk