The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1891-02-18
HE cafe l don't believe a word of it,"

HE cafe L don't believe a word Of it.
These words produced an angry muir
nur among the excited consplrators.
The protest seemed so ridiculous. and as
the clamor increased Ivan turned to the
speaker and warmly exclaimed: Very
well; we shall abstain from searching
you, since you wish it, bat remember
this, that if we fail to find clew 70 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; / 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 obhterated with lampblack, moth
ing of an discriminating character was
found. A second student readily sub
United 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 a 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 a moment the nihilists
remained mOtionless, as if rooted TO the
spot. As they listened in alarm, they
heard a strange creaking sound in the Ill
rec5iOn of the curtained window.
Suddenly the voice of Ivan exclaimed
in the darkness: Comrades, this is a
trick! Listen! Some one Is endeavorng
to escape by the window 1t is the
traitor at last. His attempt to escape
betrays his guilt. Stand backl l know
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.
\ profound silence then ensued.
Il was an awful situation.
At length Ivan spoke TO his terrified
companions.
Strike a light now he said in a
trembling voice, ''and let Us look upon
the face of a traitor. VIII 10 one move.
Are on all afraid to gaze upon the dead
body Of a miscreant who mas betrayed
us t. our enemies? Come, professor,
whei are the matches? You had them I
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 !
man sewer. and is our only hope Of es- |
cape. Follow me!'
Cropping hand in hand in the dark, the |
affrighted men followed the speakers
direction, and after some mornentary !
confusion, disappeared into noisome |
abyss. None too soon. In another in /
slant the door of the room was battered /
to pieces and company Of gendarmes |
entered. Lights were now flashed in /
every direction, but it was obvious 10 all |
that the cOnspirators had escaped. The |
officer in charge swOre long and deep. |
and ordered tie men to search the house
from top 10 bottom. Then, advancing /
toward the window, he stumbled over a
human body.
What's this' ne exclaimed, examin-
ing the dead mans features with q Ian
tern. "Ha! so they have caught you at
last, my friend. have theyf Well, you
played the SPY long aud well, but 1t
always comes TO TINS IN the end"
And tearing down the window cur
tain the officer threw it over the rlgid
body of-the professor "A McDougall
in PEEL Nell Budget {