Telegram-herald. ([Grand Rapids, Mich.) 18??-1892, 1891-05-28

WIZ . >OEuewnaI IUppfsn appeerance--
objected. however. ~ the proposal
But why2" hotly demanded the pro-
fessor, who seemed all eagerness 10
begin the investigation
because" was the hesitating re
joinder, honor ought 10 be enough
Besides there is something degrading
in the idea OF searching one another, as
If, indeed. we were lot Of pickpocketS
So Lot Us break up the meeting. This
excitement is absurd, and renders the
discussion Of our plot impossible As
for the story told by the drunken soldier
In the cafe. 1 don't believe a word of
IL
These words produced an angry muir
muir among the excited conspirators.
The protest seemed SO ridiculous; and
a. the cIamor increased Ivan turned To
the speaker and warmly exclaimed:
VERY well; We shall abstain from
searching you, since you wish IL; but
remember this, that if we fail 10 lind q
clew To the informant among those who
willingly submit 10 the examination we
shall then know upon whom To fix our
suspicious Now. comrades, search me
first; l am ready"
In moment the speakers pockets
were emptied of their contents, and
even the Inning of his clothes was care
fully searched, but beyond a few old
love-letters, some political pamphlets
and an English newspaper with para
graph obliterated with lampblack moth
ing Of an discriminating character was
found A second student readily sub
mitted 10 the test-if test il was-with
similar results. Then third stepped
forward and placed himself in the hands
of his companions. But at that moment
a curious incident occurred. An invisi-
bic hand suddenly extinguished the light
of the candle, and in a second the room
was plunged in utter darkness
What did il mean? Who had quenched
the light? For moment the nihilists
remained motionless, as II rooted TO tho
spot AS they listened 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! Some one Is endeavor-
ing to escape by the windowl 1t is the
traitor at last. His attempt to escape
betrays his guilt Stand back! know
how To deal with him!"
In an instant the reports Of three re-
volver shots rang through the room and
were followed by an agonizing yell as
some one fell heavily upon the door.
A profound silence then ensued.
lt was an awful situation.
At length Ivan spoke to his terrified
companions
Strike q hight now" he said, IN a
trembling voice, land let us look upon
the face of a traitor. Will no one move?
Are you all afraid to gaze upon the
dead body of a miscreant who has be-
trayed Us TO our enemies? Come, pro-
fessor, where are the matches? You
had them last But hush! What sound
is that? Listen! BY heavens, comrades,
the police are upon us already. The
house is surrounded! Quick! here is a
trap-door known only to myself. II
leads to the main sewer and is our only
hope of escape. Follow me-"
Cropping hand in hand in the dark,
the afrighted men followed the speak
er's directions, and after some momen-
tary confusion disappeared into a
noisome abyss. None too soon. In
another instant the door of the room
was battered to pieces, and q company
Of gcndarmes entered. Lights were
now flashed in every direction, but it
was obvious to all that the conspirators
had escaped The officer in charge
swore long and deep, and ordered the
men to search the house from top to
bottom. Then, advancing toward the
window, he stumbled over a human
body.
whats this?'' he exclaimed, exam
mining the dead mans features with a
lantern "Ha! so they have caught you
at last, my friend. have they? Well.
you played the spy long and well, but
1t always come to this in the end"
And tearing down the window cur
tain the officer threw it over the rigid
body of-the professor.-Pall Nall Bud
get,