The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1891-02-13

To the door OF inc room, lCCReu w, ana
paced the key in his pocket Every
one will assert his innocence--of course
But comrades. suppose We endeavor TO
find him out? Let us search each other
The traitor, whoever lie may be, must
doubtless have in his posse sion some
proof of his guilt At least. the expert
ment is worth trying. What say you?"
agreed! agreed" exclaimed the Nj
hii'ts, as with one accord they sprang
c,nvulsively to their feet. One of the
studcnts-a tall. lank youth. with
somewhat foppish appearance - OBJ
jected, however, to the proposal.
But why?" hotly demanded the pro-
fcssor, who seemed all eagerness to be-
Gun the investigation.
because, was the hesitating re-
joindcr, "because it is unnecessary. Our
word of honor ought to be enough. Be-
sides, there is something degrading in
the idea of searching one another as if,
indeed, we were a lot of pckpockets.
so let us break up the meeting. This
excitement is absurd, and renders the
discussion of the plot impossible. As
for the story told by the drunken soldier
in the cafe, don't leieve a word of it.
These words produced an angry mir.
mur ameog the excited corspirators.
| The prottss seemed so ridiculous; aud
as the clamor Increased Ivan turned to
the speaker and warmly exclaimed,
very well; we shall abstain from
searching you since you wish it; but
| remember this. that if we fail to find
| clue 10 the informant among those who
willingly submit to the examination wo
| shall then know upon whom to fix our
| suspicious Now, comrades, search me
| first; am ready"
In q moment the speakers pockets
were emptied of their contents, and
even the lining of his clothes was care
| fully searched; but beyond n few old
| love letters, some POLITICAL pamphlets.
| and an English newspaper with para
graph obliterated with lamp black.
nothing of an discriminating character
was found. a second student readily
| submitted to the test-if test it WIS
with similar results. Then third
STEPPED forward and placed himself in
the hands of his companions But at
| that moment curious incident oc-
| CURED. An invisible hand suddenly
extiuguished the light Of the candle,
| and in second the room was plunged
in utter darkness.
What did it mean? Who had
| quenched the light? For moment the
| Nhiists remained motionless. as if
| rooted to the spot. AS they listened in
alarm, they heard II strange creaking
sound in the direction OF the curtained
| window.
| Suddenly the voice Of Ivan exclaimed
in tie darkness: Comrades this is
tiick! Listen! Some one is endeavoiing
to escape by the v indow! 1t is the
traitor at last Has attempt to escape
betrays his guilt Stand back! know
how TO deal with hin!"
In an instant tie report of three TO.
volver shots rang through the room, and
was followed by an agonizing yell as
some one fell heavily upon the floor.
| a profound silence then ensued.
1t was an awful situation.
At length Ivan spoke to his terrified
companions.
Strike light now," lie said in
trembling voice. and let us look upon
the face Of u traitor Will no one move?
Are you all afraid to gaze upon the dead
body of q miscreant who has BETRAYED
us to our enemies? Come, professor,
where are the matches? You had them
last. But hush! What sound is that?
Liaten! BY heavens, comrades, the
| police are upon us already. The house
is surrounded Quick! here is trap
door, known only to myself. 1t leads to
the main sewer, and is our only hope Of
escape. Follow me-
Cropping hand in hand in the dark,
the affrighted men followed the speak
er's directions, and after some moment.
airy confusion. disappeared into
noisome abyss. None TOO soon. In an
other instant the door of the room WAS
battered to pieces, and company Of
gendarmes entered. Lights were now
flashed in every direction. hut it WAS
obvious to all that the conspirators had
escaped. The officer in charge swore
long and deep. and ordered the men to
Then, advancing toward the window, he
stumbled over a human body.
"What's ths?" he exclaimed, exam.
ining the dead mans features with a
lantern. "Ha! 80 they have caught you
at last, my friend. have they? Well.
you played the spy long and we'll, but It
always comes to this end"
And, tearing down the window cur.
tain, the officer threw it over the rigid
body of-the professor. McDougal,
in Pail Mall Budget.
/
| Families in Heligoland.