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

objected. however. to the proposal.
'.But why?' holly demanded the
professor. who seemed all eagerness
70 begin the investigation.
Because" was the hesitating 10.
joinder. because It Is unnecessary.
Our word OF honor ought to be enough.
Besides. there IL something degrading
In the idea OF searching one another,
as II indeed. we were lot OF pick
pockets. So let US break up the meet
ing. This excitement Is absurd. and
renders the discussion OF our plot i'm
possible. As for the story told by the
drunken soldier In the cafe. don't
believe word OF it"
These words produced an angry
murmur among the excited conspira-
tors. The protest seemed SO ridicu-
lous; and as the clamor increased Ivan
turned TO the speaker and warmly ex-
claimed. Very well, we shall abstain
from searching you. since you wish It;
but remember this, that il we fail to
find clue to the informant among
those who willingly submit to the OK.
animation We shall then know upon
whom to fix our suspicious. Now.
comrades. search me first; / am
ready"
|. In a moment the speakers pockets
were emptied of their contents. and
even the lining of his clothes was care
fully searched; but beyond few old
love letters. some political pamphlets.
and an English newspaper with par
agraph obliterated with lamp black,
nothing OF an discriminating character
was found. A second student readily
submitted to the test-if test it was
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
extinguished the light of the candle
and in n second the room was plunged
In utter darkness.
What did it mean? Who had
quenched the light? For n moment
the nihilists remained motionless. as
il rooted to the spot. AS they listened
in alarm the. heard a strange creaking
sound in the Sirec.ion OF the curtained
window.
Suddenly the voice of Ivan exclaimed
in the darkness:
Comrades. this is trick! Listen!
Some one is enaeavoring to escape by
the window. 1t is the traitor ut last.
His attempt to escape betrays his guilt.
Stand back! know how to deal with
him."
In an instant the report of three re-
volver shots ran through the room and
was followed by an agonizing yell as
some one fell heavily upon tho floor.
A profound silence then ensued.
i was an awful situation.
At length Ivan spoke to his terrified
companions.
Strike light now" he said. in a
trembling voice, ''and let us look upon
the face of traitor. Will no one
movep Are you all afraid to gaze upon
the dead body of n 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, COM
rades, the police are upon us already.
The house is surrounded! Quick! Here
is trap-door known only to myself.
II 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 a
noisome abyss. None too soon. In
another instant the door of the room
was battered to pieces, and a company
OF gendarmes entered. Lights now
flashed in every direction, but it was
obvious 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, advancing toward the window.
he stumbled over human body.
whats thisp" he exclaimed. ex-
aiming the dead mans features with
a lantern. '.Ha! so they have caught
you at last, my friend. have they?
Vol. you played the spy long and
well, but it 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. McDougal
in Pail Mall Budget.