The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1891-05-23

The Astonishing Story of the Russian
Nihilist, Degaief.
Naw York Euu


The recent arrest of the nihilist. De-
gaief, in south Russia for the murder of
Soudieikin, was the termination of as re-
markable career as Russian nihilist
ever ran. Eleven years ago Degaief was a
captain of the guards. He was keen, en-
thusiastic, well-educated. and discon-
tented. He was an idealist and firm
believer in the badness of the state
of affairs in modern Russia. He
was not then nihilist, but he had
in him all the materials from which nihil-
lists are made. He drifted slowly and
naturally into the society of radicals, and
became steadily more extreme in his po-
ltical views. till a day came when he
found himself at the head of conspiracy
against the life of the car. The con-
spiracy was discovered, all the conspirators
were arrested, and Degaief was condemned
to die. He accepted his fate without a
whimper. Three days before the date set
for executing him the door of his cell was
opened to admit Soudieikin, whom Degaief
recognized Immediately as an old and
long-forgotten comrade in arms.
How are you, old fellow?" said the
chief.
For moment Degaief felt hope, then
relaxed into a state of resignation, and
answered: my last opportunity to speak
for myself, isn't it?"
mo, comrade," was the reply. II bring
to you the pardon Of the car"
WHAT Whatl Then he requires from
me some service in return"
Nothing at all. You are free, uncon-
ditionally free. Come home with me and
We will talk about it.''
Degaief went. In his study Soudieikin
said: You know our old friendship.
Well, that saved You. went to the car
and interceded for you, giving my word of
honor that, If freed, you would quit vour
old ways. l have the good fortune 10
enjoy the cars confidence, and he granted
me the life of my friend"
Begaief sank in tears at the chiefs feet
and protested his determination never
again to make common cause with the
nihilists. The chief continued:
what do you expect TO do now? Your
return TO the army is impossible. / can
offer you my secretaryship, with salary
enough to pay for your daily bread. You
Will be, IN case you accept this, member
of the secret police and my right-hand
man. Go home, think about it, and de-
eide without undue attention to my
advice"
Full of gratitude, Degaief FASTENED to
enlist IN the service of the chief He put
head, heart and hand into his work. He
pursued his old colleagues day and night
TO death, and scores were sent through his
influence to Siberia. Degaief obtained
the full confidence of his chief. Soudieikin
had estimated him correctly in everything
save his susceptibility to the pangs of re-
morse. Degaief could not forget his old
radical tendencies. The scorn of his
former colleagues scorched him till he
could endure the pain no longer. He
went one evening to the house of nihi-
list leader and swore by his revolutionary
past TO do anything required by the revo-
lationary party as the condition OF his re-
instatement.
XIII Soudieikin.' said the nihilist
leader
Degaief requested a day in which TO
think over this suggestion. Twenty-four
hours later he gave his promise to murder
The man who had saved his life
The full significance of this promise can
hardly be eomprehended without an I'M
derstanding of the position of Soudieikin
At that time. He was at the height of his
power. He was only nominalIy depend
ent on the Third division. He came and
went as he pleased, had constant access 10
The car, was master of agents answerable
only % him, and had unlimited credit ST
the Imperial hank. He was, in short,
nearer 70 omnipotence than any other off,
Ger OF police before or since his time; and