The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1891-06-27
LOCATING THE TEAITOR.

-
A bitterly cold winter $ evening. five
men were seated together in n small
room IN "A house situated in the Jewish
quarter OF q busy and largely popu-
lated Russian city. The Appearance
OF tho room was as wretchcd as the ex-
ternal appearance OF the house itself.
Tie solitary window was totally con
ccaled by a heavy faded curtain. de-
pending from the roof. and as the wind
moared dismally through tho broken
panes OF glass. its sombrc folds swayed
20 and fro. The inmates OF this
mournful den were seated around the
table. smoking their pipes ant talking.
"a II hartivoly. in whispers. As tho
feeble rays of the candle fell iltfully
upon the company they revealed the
youthful faces OF four students. Tho
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. rhc others ~defcrentially nd
dressed the speaker as professor"
and such, indeed. he was. at that time.
ut o well known school OF medicine in
Russia.
On the present occasion. however, no
wa speaking. not OF science. but OF
the terrible doctrine OF assassination.
Prof. V was "A nihilist, "A reputed
Colossus OF craft in the dissemination
OF revolutionary doctrines. aud on the
particular evening in question he was
engaged in advocating. with fiery
eloquence. the assassination OF q
certain colonel who had lately been
promoted to tho rank OF chief com
missioner OF the secret police. AS the
night wore on their whispered CONVEX
sation was suddenly interrupted by IA
low knocking at the outer door. In
n moment the conspirators sprang
nOiselessly to their feet. and listened
with bated breath. The sound was re-
peated n peculiar whistle was heard
from without and tho listeners ex-
changed significant chances and quietly
resumed their seats. Presently cautious
footsteps were heard in an outer room.
the door wa opened. and a young mar
hastily entered. His face was pale.
his munne agitatod. and as he returned
lis ~companions' saiutaiions he regard
cd them with "a fixed and hungry stare.
you have kept us waiting. com
rade, y exclaimed tho professor. putting
away calmly at his pipe. Ugh. wo
are almost frozen. for the air Of this
wretched apartment is quite Siberian.
But now 20 business. We will warm
ourselves with talk. and fire our minds
with ih" prospect OF revenge"
Their was "A murmur OF approval. II
was noticed. however. that the young
mar who had just appeared upon the
scene took his scat IN silence. and. rest
ing his elbows upon tho table. slowly
sc-lihlizcd the faces OF his comrades.
MY dear professor, he said ut
lcngth, we cannot possibly proceed
~ prcsont with this business"
Why not?" was unanimously asked.
"~'jecause." replied the latest conner,
as Re crictly sniffcd the candle, dc
calgic one OF us is a traitor"
a traitorl' exclaimed the men.
stal ting 70 their feet.
"ios. comrades. we are betrayed;
ami as 70 one knows OF this plot OF
on - except ourselves. II is plain, !
think. that ono OF us has turned in
Tenant
You arc mad TO say SOL" hoarscly
EXCLAIMED the professor. ''but In heav-
cas- name, what has happcncdP Come.
t,ll MS quickly. This is no TESTING
matter
Listen. then. On my way hither.
comrades. ! entered a Cafe dc Paris %
sip q cup OF tea and smoke n cigarette.
] happened 20 sit down beside two
officers OF the secret police. and as one
Of them was somewhat tipsy | could
distinctly hear his conversation |
found IL rather interesting. He told
his companion that he vas under or
ders to surround this old deserted house
az midnight-it IL near III now-and
10 arrest All persons found within. He
mentioned. moreover. all our names.
and added. with "a maudlin laugh. that
a certain person. 10 whom the admin
~istration is eternally indebted. would
be found in our midst playing the part
OF conspirator. Now. comrades. /
have done. What shall we dop"
The men looked nc each other in
dismay. A dead silence filled the
o for the mere suspiclono OF treach-
cry among tho men who had solemnly
dcdlcG.ol their lives 20 the sacred
cause OF liberty seemed 10 hold them
dumb Such villainy In their very
midst-among men banded together
in sacred OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES n greater
crime than tho mcrciless acts OF a des-
pot and his miniors.
III this Is true. y said the professor,
in "A voice Of suppressed rage. then l
will no longer believe in human fidelity.
or the future Of our cause. But
DEATH IL tho story Il true. Which Of
49,. 4. ~ a. t...n..es oad,a tho .nooLo.