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

room in a house situated in the Jewish
quarter of 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
somber folds swayed to and fro. The
inmates of this mournful den were seat
ed round the table smoking their pipes
and talking, as if furtively, in whispers.
AS the feeble rays of the candle fell fit
fnlly upon the company they revealed
the youthful faces of four students. The
chief spokesman, however, was a much
older man, apparently about fifty, with
a short, pointed beard, shaggy brows
and keen, penetrating eyes of the dark
est hue. The others deferentially ad-
dressed the speaker as professor" and
such, indeed, he was at that time, at a
well known school of medicine in Russia.
On the present occasion, however, he
was speaking, not of science, but of the
terrible doctrine of assassination.
Professor V was a nihilist, a re-
puted Colossus of craft in the dissemina-
ton of revolutionary doctrines, and ON
the particular evening in question he
was engaged in advocating with fiery
eloquence the assassination of certain
colonel who had lately been promoted to
the rank of chief commissioner of the
secret police. AS the night wore on
their whispered conversation was sud-
denly interrupted by low knocking at
the outer door. In a moment the con-
spirators sprang noiselessly to their feet
1icfana6 with hotn6 h,-oath ho
sound was repeated 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,
his manner agitated, and as he returned
his companions salutations he regarded
them with fixed and angry stare.
"You have kept us waiting, comrade,"
exclaimed the professor, putting calmly
Mt his pipe. ugh! we are almost frozen.
for the air of this wretched apartment is
quite Siberian. But now to business.
We will warm ourselves with talk, and
fire our minds with the prospect of re-
yenge."
There was a murmur of approval. 1t
was noticed, however, that the young
man who had 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 at present
with this business"
why not?' was unanimously asked.
Because replied the latest conner as
he quietly snuffed the candle, ''because
one of us is traitor"
IA traitor!'' exclaimed the men, start
ing to their feet.
Eyes, comrades, we are betrayed; anu
as no one knows of this plot of ours ex-
cept ourselves, it is plain. think, that
one of us has turned informant"
'-You are mad to say sol" hoarsely ex-
claimed the professor; "but in heavens
name what has happened? Come, tell
MS quickly. This is no jesting matter
Listen, then. On my way hither,
comrades, entered Cafe de Paris to
sip cup of tea and smoke a cigarette.
i happened to SIT down beside two Off
GERS of the secret police, and, as one of
them was somewhat tipsy, could dis
tinctly hear his conversation. found
it rather interesting. He told his com
Panion that he was under orders to sur
round this old deserted house at mid
night-it is near IL now-and to arrest
all persons found within. He mentioned
moreover, all our names, and added with
u maudlin laugh that certain person
to whom the administration is eternally
indebted, would be found in our midst
playing the part of conspirator. Now
comrades, l have done. What shall
we do?"
Ikakar1 -a6 af en<.h 9th 1,a
may. A dead silence filed the room, fol
the mere suspicion of treachery among
the men who had solemnly dedicated
their lives to the sacred cause of liberty
seemed to hold them dumb. Such vii
lainy in their very midst-among mel
banded together in sacred brotherhood
was greater crime than the merciles
acts of a despot and his minions.
eff this is true" said the professor, il
voice of suppressed rage, 'Sthen I viii
no longer believe in human ndellty O.
the future of our cause. But-death! i
the story is true. Which of us is the in
former added the speaker, starin:
fiercely at the pale faces of his com
panions.
bah! it is useless to ask that, my dea
professor" exclaimed Ivan-such wa
the name of the youth who had brough
the strange intelligence-as he advances
to the door of the room, locked it AM
placed the key in his pocket. Ever
one will assert his innocence, of course
But, comrades, suppose we endeavor t
find him out? Let Us search each other
The traitor, whoever he may be, mus
doubtless have in his possession som
proof of his guilt. At least, the experi
ment is worth trying. What say you?''
agreed! agreedr' exclaimed the III
hilists. as with one accord they spran
O,< ,f ~,