Montgomery County sentinel., 1891-04-10


death if the story is true. Which OF
us is the informer y added the speaker.
staring fercely at the pale faces of his
companions. ......'.
''Bah it is useless to ask that, my
dear professor" exclaimed Ivan-such
was the name Of the youth who had
brought the strange intelligence--as he
advanced to the door of the room, lock-
ed it and placed the key in his pocket.
Every one will assert his innocence, of
course. But, comrades, suppose we en-
deavor to find him out? Let us search
each other ? The traitor, whoever he
may be, may doubtless have in his pos
session some proof Of his guilt. At
least, the experiment is worth trying.
What say you?"
agreed |! agreed |" exclaimed the
nihilists, as with one accord they sprang
concusively to their feet. One of the
students, tall, lank youth, with a
somewhat foppish appearance, objected,
however, to the proposal.
"But why p hotly demanded the pro-
fessor, who seemed all eagerness to beg
the investigation.
Because" was the hesitating rejoin-
der, because it is unnecessary. On my
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 q lot of pickpockets.
So let us break up the meeting. This
excitement is absurd and renders the
discussion Of our plot impossible. An
for the story told by tho drunken soldier
in the cafe don't believe word of it"
These words produced an angry mur-
mur among the excited conspirators. -
The protest seemed so ridiculous, and
as the clamor increased Ivan turned to
the speaker and warmly exclaimed
"Very we'll; we shall abstain from
searching you, since you wish it, but re-
member this. that if VIC fail to find
clow to the informant among those who
willingly submit to tho examination we
shall then know upon whom to fix our
suspicious. Now, comrades, search me
first; / am ready
In moment the speakers pockets
were emptied of their contonts and even
the Innings of his clothes were carefully
searched but beyond few old love
letters, some political pamphlets and an
English newspaper with a paragraph
obliterated with lampblack. nothing of
an discriminating character was found
A second student readily submitted TO
tho test--if test it were--with similar
results. Then third stopped forward
and placed himself in the hands Of his
companions. But at that moment
curious incident occurred. An invisi-
BILE hand suddenly extinguished the light
of the candle, and in second the room
was plunged in utter darkness.
What did it mean? Who had quench-
cd the light? For moment the nihil-
lists remained motionloss, as il rooted
to the spot As they listened in alarm
they heard strange creaking sound
in tho direction of the curtainod win
dow
Suddenly the voice Of Ivan exclaimed
in the darkness Comrades, this is n
trick Listen! Some one is endcavor-
ing to escape by the window! II is the
traitor at last. His attempt TO escape
botrays his guilt. Stand back know
how to deal with him"
La an instant the report Of the three
revolver shots rang through the room,
aud was followed by an agonizing yell
as some me fell heavily upon the floor
A profound silence then ensued.
II ,yoa N +, wful a;tuat;on
At length Ivan spoke to his terrified
companions.
Strike light now." he said ia
trembling voice, ''and let us look upon
the face Of traitor. Will no one
move? Are you all afraid 70 gaze upon
the dead body of a miscreant who'has
betrayed us TO our enemies Come,
professor, where are the Matches You
had them last But hush! What sound
is that Listen BY heavens, comrades,
the police arc upon US already. The
house is surrounded, Quick Here Is u
trap door, known only to myself. II
leads to the main sewer, and is our only
hope of escape. Follow me y
Cropping hand in hand in the dark,
the aifrightcd men followed the speak
er's direction, aud after some moment
ary confusion disappeared into uoi-
some abyss. None too soon. In another
instant the door Of the room was bat
tered to pieces and company Of gend-
armes entered. Lights we're now fash
ed in every direction, but it was obyious
to all that the conspirators had escaped.
The officer in charge sworc long and
deep, and ordered the men to search the
house from top to bottom. Then. ad-
vancing toward the window, he STUN
bled over human body.
Whats this ?" he exclaimed. exam
iniug the dead mans features with a
lantern. cha! so they have caught
you at last, my friend, have they? Well
you played tho spy long and we'll, but
il always comes to this in the end.'
And tearing down the window cur
tain the officer threw it over the rigid
body of-the professor.