The L'Anse sentinel. (L'Anse, L.S., Mich.) 18??-current, 1891-07-18
LOCATING THE TRAITOR.

A bitterly cold winter evening, five
men, were seated together in a small
room in house situated in the Jewish
quarter OF busy and largely popu-
lated Russian city. The appearance
OF the room was as wretched as the ex-
ternal appearance of the house itself.
The solitary window was totally con-
cealed by heavy faded curtain, de-
pending from the roof, and as the wind
moaned dismally through the broken
panes OF glass, its sombre folds swayed
to and fro. The inmates of this
mournful den were seated around the
table, smoking their pipes and talking.
as If furtively. in whispers. As the
feeble rays Of the candle fell fitfully
upon the company they revealed the
youthful faces Of four students. The
chief spokesman. however. was much
older man. apparently about fifty. with
a short pointed beard, shaggy brows.
and keen penetrating eyes OF the dark
est hue. The others deferentially ad-
dressed the speaker as professor, +"
and such, indeed. he was. at that time
at well known 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
eloquencc. the assassination of a
certain colonel who had lately been
promoted to the rank OF chief com
missioner of the secret police. As the
night wore on their whispered CONVEX
sation was suddenly interrupted by a
low knocking at the outer door. In
o moment the conspirators spranG
noiselessly to their feet and listened
with bated breath. The sound was re-
peated--a peculiar whistle was heard
from without. and the listeners ex-
changed significant glances and quietly
resumed their seats. Presently cautious
footsteps were heard in an outer room
the door was opened. and a young man
hastily entered. His face was pale,
his manner agitated, and as he returned
his companions salutations he regard
ed them with fixed and hungry stare
You have kept us waiting, com
rade," exclaimed the professor putting
away calmly at his pipe. Ugh! we
are almost frozen. for the air of this
wretched ar"-tment is quite Siberian.
But now to Siness. We will warm
ourselves WA talk, and fire our minds
with the prospect OF revenge"
There was a murmur of approval. 1t
was noticed. however, that the young
man who had just appeared upon the
scene too is seat in silence. and, rest
ing his rs upon the table. slowly
scrutinize, the faces of his comrades.
'My dear professor, he said at
length. 1--WE cannot possibly proceed
at present with this business.
"Why not?" was unanimously asked.
because" replied the latest conner,
as he quietly shifted the candle. "be-
cause one of us is traitor"
"A traitor!" exclaimed the men.
starting to their feet.
"Yes, comrades, We are betrayed;
and rs no one knows of this plot of
ours except ourselves it is plain, l
think. that one of us has turned in
formant.'
you are mad to say so!' hoarsely
EXCLAIMED the professor, '.but in heav-
ems name, what has happened? Come,
tell us quickly. This is no jesting
matter"
Listen, then. On my way hither.
comrades, l entered Cafe de Paris to
sip cup of tea and smoke cigarette.
i happened to sit down beside two
officers of the secret police. and as one
of them was somewhat tipsy could
distinctly hear his conversation. /
found it rather interesting. He told
his companion that he was under or
ders to surround this old deserted house
at midnight is near IL now-and
to arrest all persons found within. He
mentioned, moreover. all our names.
and added, with maudlin laugh. that
a certain person, to whom the admiN-
istration is eternally indebted, would
be found in our midst playing the part
OF conspirator. Now. comrades, /
have done. What shall we do?"
The men looked at each other in
dismay. A dead silence filled the
room, for the mere suspicion of treach-
cry among the men who had solemnly
dedicated their lives to the sacred
cause of liberty seemed to hold them
dumb. Such villainy in thdr very
midst--among men banded together
in sacred OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES greater
crime than the .merciless acts OF a des-
pot and his minions.
G IF this Is true, said the professor,
In voice Of suppressed rage, 'then l
will no longer believe in human fidelity,
or the future of our cause. But
Death! il the story is true. Which OF
us is the informer?" added the speaker,
staring fiercely ut the palo faces OF has
companions.
'Bah! 1t is useless to ask that my
dear professor, exclaimed Ivan-such
was tho name OF the youth who had
brought the strange intelligence-ns
he advanced to the door OF the room.
locked it and placed the key in his
pocket Every one will assert his
Innocence, OF course But comrades.
suppose we endeayor 70 find him out?
Let us search each other. The traitor.
whoever he may be, must doubtless