The Dalles daily chronicle. [volume] (The Dalles, Or.) 1890-1948, 1891-03-04

what foppish appearance, objected. how
ever, to the proposal.
But why?' hotly demanded the pro
fessor, who seemed all eagerness to begin
the investigation.
Because" was the hesitating rejoin-
der, 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 pickpockets.
So let us break up the meeting. This
excitement is absurd, and renders the
discussion of our plot impossible. AS for
the story told by the drunken soldier IN
the cafe don't believe word of it.
These words produced an angry mur-
muir among the excited conspirators.
The protest seemed SO ridiculous, and as
the clamor increased Ivan turned TO the
speaker and warmly exclaimed: Every
well; we shall abstain FROM searching
you, since yeu wish it, but remember
this, that If we fail to find a clew TO the
Informant among those who willingly
submit to the examination we shall then
know upon whom to fix our suspicious.
Now, comrades, search me first; l am
ready"
In a moment the speakers pockets
were emptied of their contents, and
even the Innings of his clothes were care
fully searched; but beyond few old
love letters, some political pamphlets
and an English newspaper with para
graph obliterated with lampblack, moth
ing of an discriminating character was
found. A second student readily sub
mitted to the test-if test it were-with
similar results. Then third stepped
forward and placed himself in the hands
of his companions. But at that mo-
ment curious incident occurred. An
invisible hand suddenly extinguished
the light of the candle, and in a second
the room was plunged in utter darkness.
What did it mean? Who had quenched
the light? For moment the nihilists
remained motionless. as if rooted to the
spot. AS they listened in alarm, they
heard strange creaking sound in the d.
rection of the curtained window.
Suddenly the voice of Ivan exclaimed
in the darkness: Comrades, this is a
trick! Listen! Some one is endeavoring
traitor at last. His attempt to escape
how to deal with him!"
In an instant the report of three re-
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.
It was an awful situation.
At length Ivan spoke to his terrified
companions
1,a
trembling voice, .'and let us look upon
the face of traitor. Will no one move?
Are you all afraid to gaze upon the dead
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 po-
lice are upon us already. The house is
surrounded Quick! Here is trap door,
known only to myself. It leads to the
main sewer. and is our only hope of es-
cape. Follow me!'
Cropping hand in hand in the dark, the
afrighted men followed the speaker
direction, and after some momentary
confusion, disappeared into noisome
abyss. None too soon. In another in
slant the door of the room was battered
to pieces and a company of gendarmes
entered. Lights were now flashed in
every direction, but it was obvious to all
that the conspirators had escaped. The
officer in charge swore long and deep,
and ordered the men to search the house
from top to bottom. Then, advancing
toward the window, he stumbled over a
human body.
whats this?" he exclaimed, examin-
ing the dead mans features with Ian
tern. ''Ha! so they have caught you at
last, my friend, have they? Well, you
played the spy long and well, but ii
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.-A. McDougal
in Pell Nell Budget.