Montgomery County sentinel., 1891-04-10

LOCATING THE TRAITOR.

One bitterly cold winters evening
five men we're seated together in a small
room in house situated in tho Jewish
quarter of a busy and largely populated
Russian city. The appearance of the
room was as wretched as the external
aspect of the house itself. The solitary
window was totally concealed by heavy
faded curtain depending from the roof,
and as the wind moaned dismally through
the broken panes of glass its solnber
folds swayed to and fro. The inmates
of this mournful den were seated round
the table smoking their pipes and talk
ing, as if furtively, in whispers. As
tho feeble rays of the candle fell itfully
upon the company they revealed the
youthful faces of four students. The
chief spokesman, however, was much
older man. apparently about fifty, with
short, pointed beard, shaggy brows
and keen, penetrating eyes of the dark
est hue The others defcrentially I'D
dressed the speaker as professor, and
such, indeed, he was at that time. at q
we'll known school of medicine in Rus
sla.
On the present occasion, however, he
was speaking not OF science, but OF the
terrible doctrine of assassination,
Professor V was nihilist, o re-
putcd Colossus of craft in the dissomi-
nation of revolutionary doctrines, and
on the particular evening IN question
he was engaged in advocating with fiery
eloquencc the assassination OF certain
colonel who had lately been promoted TO
the rank of chief commissioner OF tho
secret police. AS the night wore on
their whispered conversation was sud
denly Interrupted by low knocking at
tho outer door. In moment the con-
spirators sprang nolseiy to their feet
and listened with bated breath. Tho
sound was repeated-a peculiar whistle
was heard from without, and the listen
ers exchanged significant glances and
quietly resumed their seats. Presently
cautious footsteps were heard IN an outer
room, the door was opened and young
man hastily entered. His face was pale,
bis manner agitated, ana rs ne returned
his companions salutions no regarded
them with liked and angry stare.
"You have kept us waiting, COM
rade," exclaimed the professor, puifing
calmly at bis pipe. ugh! we are al
most frozen, for the air OF this wretched
apartment is quite Siberian. But now
to business. We Will warm ourselves
with talk, and fire onr minds with tho
prospect OF revenge
There was a murmur OF approval. 1t
was noticed, however, that the young
man who bad just appeared upon the
scene took his seat in silence, and rest
ing his elbows upon the table slowly
scrutinized the faces of his comrades.
"My dear professor" he said at
length, 1--WE cannot possibly proceed ut
present with this business"
"Why not?" was unanimously asked.
BECAUSE" replied the latest conner
as he quietly snuffed the candle, because
one of the us is traitor
"a traitor!" exclaimed the men,
starting to their feet.
Yes, comrades, we are betrayed !;
and as no one knows Of this plot Of ours
except ourselves, it is plain, think,
that one Of us has turned informant"
-" You are mad to say so y hoarsely
exclaimed tho professor "but in beav-
ems name what has happened Come,
tell us quickly This is no testing mat
ter"
"Listcn then. On my way hither,
comrades, | entered Cafe de Paris to
sip cup Of tea and smoke cigarette,