Telegram-herald. ([Grand Rapids, Mich.) 18??-1892, 1891-05-28
THE TEST.
Locating the Traitor IN a Russian
Conspiracy.


Jewish quarter OF busy aud largely
populated Russian city. The appear
ance of the room was as wretched as
the external aspect of the house itself
The solitary window was totally con-
cealed by a heavy faded curtain. de-
pending from the roof, and As the wind
moaned dismally through the broken
panes OF glass its somber folds swayed
90 and fro. The inmates OF this mourn
full den were seated around the table,
smoking their pipes and talking, Is il
furtively. IN whispers. AS the feeble
rays of the candle fell fitfully upon
the company they revealed the youth
full faces OF four students The chief
spokesman, however. was a much older
man, apparently about fifty. with
short, pointed beard, shaggy brows
and keen. penetrating eyes Of the dark
est hue. The others deferentially adj
dressed the speaker IS professor"
and such, indeed, he was Ut that time
at a well-hnown school of medicine in
Russia
On the present occasion. however, he
was speaking, not of science, but of the
terrible doctrine OF assassination.
Prof V was a nihilist, reputed
Colossus OF craft in the dissemination
Of revolutionary doctrines, and on the
particular evening in question he was
engaged In advocating with fiery elo-
quence the assassination of certain
colonel who had lately been promoted
To the rank of chief commissioner of
- - III. ,airrl,<
on their whispered conversation was
suddenly interrupted by low knock
ing at the outer door. In a moment
the conspirators sprang noiselessly TO
their feet and listened with bated
breath. The sound was repeated
peculiar whistle was heard from with
out. and the listeners exchanged sig
nificant chances and quietly resumed
their seats. Presently cautious foot
steps were heard in an outer room, the
door was opened. and young man
hastily entered His face was pale,
his manner agitated. and as he re-
turned his companions salutations he
regarded them with a fixed and angry
stare.
You have kept US waiting. COM
rade," exclaimed the professor, putting
calmly at his pipe. Ugh! we are al
most frozen, for the air of this wretched
apartment is quite Siberian. But now
TO business. We will warm ourselves
with talk. and fire our minds with the
prospect of revenge"
There was n murmur OF approval II
was noticed. however, that the young
man who had just appeared upon the
scene took his seat in silence. and, rest
ing his elbows upon the table, slowly
scrutinized the faces of his comrades
my dear professor" he said at
length, 1--WE cannot possibly proceed at
present with this business"
"why pot?' was unanimously asked.
Because" replied the latest conner.
IA he quietly snuffed the candle-'be.
cause one of VA is a traitor"
"a traitorlr exclaimed the men, start
ing 20 their feet
"Yes. comrades. we IRE betrayed;
and as no one knows of this plot of
ours except ourselves, il is plain,
think, that one of us has turned in
fcrnant-"
lou 8rr Ilbl W sly SDs
exclaimed the professor; but in heav-
ems name. what has happened? Come,
tell Us quickly. This is no jesting mat
ter"
YLis.en, then. On my way hither.
comrades, entered cafe de Paris TO
sip a cup of tea and smoke a cigarette.
| happened to sit beside two officers of
the secret police. and as one of them
was somewhat tipsy, could distinctly
hear his conversation l found ii rath-
er interesting. He told his companion
that he was under orders 20 surround
this old, deserted house at midnight
it was near eleven now - and TO
arrest all persons found within He
mentioned. moreover. all our names.
and added. with maudlin laugh, that a
certain person. 70 whom the sdministrar
ton is eternsllv indebted. would be
found In our midst playing the part OF
ccnspirator. Now, comrades, l have
done. What shall we do?"
The men looked at each other In
disnay A dead silence filed tho room.
for the mere suspicion OF treachery
among the men who had solernnly dcd-
icated their lives 70 the sacred cause OF
liberty seemed 20 hold them dumb.
Such villsiny in their very midst
n0onr men banded together in sacred
Srotherhood-vss a greater crime than
the ulerciIess acts of a despot and his
u1inions
"If thi. IL true said the professor,
In VOICE Of suppressed rage. then
will no longer believe in human fidelity,
ar the future Of our eause. But-deathl
n The story IL tine. Which of rs is the
inforner1" added The speaker. staring
fiercelv at the pale faces of his com
psnions
BAH IL ia useless ~ ask that, nv
dear professor" exclaimed fvsn-such
was The name OF the youth who had
brought the strange iuselligenee-as he
advanced 20 the door Of the room.
socled IL. ard placed the KEY in his
ppcket Every one viii assert his
inuocence-of course. But, comrades.
suppose we endeavor 80 ind him onts
J,et rs search each other The traitor.
whoever he may he, must doubtless
have in his possession sonne proof OF his
guilt A. least the experiment. =
worth trying. What say you7
Agreed agreed exclaimed the
rihili~fS. as with one accord they
<rran0 ceuvilsivelv - their feet. ere
- -. .s...l...asS. 49, lzaak vs1ufa