The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1891-01-12
SELIVERSTOFF'S DEATH
Padlewski Tells the Story of The
Assassination.

M. Georges Labruyere published IN the
Eclair of Paris few weeks since a story
which purpOrts to be an account of the
manner in which Padlewski escaped from
Paris after the murder of General Solver
stoff. AT Milan. the writer saws. he oh
TONED from Padlewski narrative of the
manner in which the murder was commit
ted, and he subsequently saw him sail from
Trieste for America. Padlewski's story of
the assassination is as follows:
"A Russian, apparently rich. came to
faris at the commencement of 1890. and
placed himself in communication with some
Oh the refugees. He persuaded them that
Inc moment had come to make an attempt
PROVIDED them with the means to prepare it,
ana then sent the most resolute among them
TO be taken prisoners on the Russian from
tier. l was asked to ioip in the njot.
but do not know why, was suspicious of
II, ana refused. GU know what ensued-
the gallows or Siberian mines for those who
were caught in Russia, the arrest of the
others IN Paris. We all learned few DAYS
later that the man who had fomented this
conspiracy was no other than Seliverstoff's
agent SellverStoH had found it advisable
to pay court to the Autocrat and TO prove to
him his zeal ~
When | knew that. resolved upon the
death Of the traitor. But, before executing
him, wished to be quite sure of his guilt.
made searching inquiry; I Intercepted
al those who could give me any positive in
formation; and thus succeeded in obtain
ing absolute proof. 1t was necessary for me
10 hnd means of approaching the man | had
condemned, and whom l had condemned
alone, In tie plenitude of my own con-
science; Tor the world must be told no one
knew oil my reject; no one aided me in it,
Al the stories OF an order of execution from
a terrorist Committee, of pecuniary aid for
lis eXecution-all that is pure invention. AS
Tor Mendelsohn, he is the last man should
have informed of it; for 1 know how his loss
would be felt by my unfortunate country
men II he were expelled from France, and
thuS prevented from helping Them 1t was
then that | entered NJ. de Bernhoff's SER
vice ut rldculOusly small salary; but this
su1iiced TO keep body and soul together.
l knew SeliverStoH was in Paris; that he
was acquainted with Bernhoff, and that,
through the latter, / might, one day or an
other, obtain access to him. was, on the
first occasion, sent to the Hotel de Babe
with au invitation, which was refused.
The second time | was sent there was on
the 18th of November. / went with the
hope OF inspiring confidence, not thinking
the hour mad come. | knew Seliverstoff was
very suspicious and prudent, and imagined
1t would require weeks more before | could
gain access to him. To my great astonish-
ment, when 1 presented myself at IL 80 |
vas ushered into the Generals presence
My emotion was great, for / had resolved
nothing for that day. l allowed myself to
be guided by circumstances. On entering
MS study my astonlsllment increased when
i saw the man-servant leave me alone with
him and disappear in an adjoining room,
and not by the door through which we had
entered. The General was sitting at his
desk near the window. He turned toward
me and, examining me attentiyey, said in
French: What is Bernhoff's address? l
will write to him. | replied: 'Rur Cambon,
% lie took pen and wrote Bernhoff's
address across the letter. Then, putting
down his pen. he said, Come here
oDeyed, and, approaching, assumed the
demeanOr of poor wretch in the presence
OF his master. Continuing to speak French
he questioned me bout my work at NJ. Bern
hott's and the people who came to his con-
certs. He inquired whether ladies came t.
them and to what class of society they be-
longed;; 1 gave him the information he
wanted. Then he said to me- Those
ladies are richly dressed, but they are no
longer young; that is not wha: want. But
am rich enough to be able TO afford to pay
young ladies when / like Then, after a
pause he continued: Yes, I have plenty of
money. Have you ever tried to imagine
what million of money really is?' l re-
piled: oh, my lord, the idea of such a
sum has never entered my head Sud
denly, beginning 10 speak in Russian, he
said: Would you like to earn great
deal of money? Only look here. Efre is a
lot of gold Saying this he opened the
drawer of his desk and showed me an
enormous quantity of gold coin. with which
It was half full There are 10000 francs
there said he, apparently enjoying the
amazement feigped as test could. What
is your name? he inquired. 'Engel.' / re-
piled. Engel?' and he burst out laughing.
DO you know what Engcl means In Ger
mani? Yes. my lord, it means "angel"'
Yes, but you are devil he added, laugh
ing. "A devil ready to serve you, my lord,
and if you like will bring you my Lucifer,
all alive 4 do not want your Lucifer.
have something else for you to do, and if you
refuse l will have your head But, my
lord, if you make me rich / can, with mil
lion, get another head made No more
joking; if you will tell me the people who
go to NJ. Bernhoff's, what they do there and
what they say, i'll give you a great deal
of money every time.
This proposal to spy made my blood
boil. Doubtessly he read In my eyes what
was passing in my mind, for he looked at
me upeasily. / was standing close 10 him.
on the left-hand side. took step back,
and, firing on him, said; There, take that
mean? 1t was doubtless Russian word
commencing with that syllable and signify
ing 'MercyP / was astonished at the little
noise made by my weapon, scarcely more
Tn an the snap of cap. | was going to fire
a second time, but | saw he remained
l was quite surprised nobody entered the
room. How was it the servant had heard
nothing. ! then thought of Selling the pa
peis, which were very important for us,
and which must have contained the list of
Russian spies in Paris. / was about to open
the desk drawer, but | remembered the
money and was afraid. So l then went
away quietly by the same way as | had en-
tered. But / locked the door behind me-
In RAISING the purter's lodge bowed" New