The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1891-02-22
first in your midst, tho president Of tho mys.

t frs, il your midst tho president Of the mys-
At this point ScheIm, having recovered
his presence of mind, made an effort to re-
ply. A look from Muller drove tho words
back into his throat. He covered and
sighed. u,
power ends. Ny combinations have been
defeated by the obstinacy Of q single man..
Now, IL / wished TO save the Count Lanin,
! would have TO betray the association, sac
ri1ce three Of its members and DO fsithlcss
TO my mission. 1 need not tell you that
shall not do that. l have not the right nor
the will to do il. And yet, my friends, the
life OF Count Lanin IL necessary for our
great work. His trial will be detrimental
TO you and may retard the triumph of our
cause. / have told you once before that
the officer is not dangerous. Another man.
in mis- place, would persecnte you far more
yet is that tho count, the army and all who
surround the car arc indignant at tue
publicity OF this step. You have shown
yonr hand too s0on and that Is n blunder.
You may condemn Count Lanin, but
the day after the sentence yon
rise against you far more powerful than
ever before, and after such a prosperous
beginning you may see an era of bitter per-
s%ecution appear which will make yon regret
your imprudence. Now, all of you n
that Count Lanin ia innocent; what / ask
you il to let me proclaim his innocence,
without prejudice to what your leaders
have done. ] ask you to let things 90 on,
but to give me carte blanche. You have &c.
cured the right to bring an aide-de-carap of
the emperor into court and you will now
have the glory Of proclaiming your justice
the condemnation of this man? That he is
tried publicly is enough for you. Now, his
trial is inevitable"
Ivan Kolok rose first. ''If you will pledge
yourself not to 20 beyond the rules pre-
scribed by our statutes | care nothing for
the condemnation of Count Lanin. You
mag be right. The time has not come yet.
Prudence commands moderation. You are
our head n my opinion is to let you act
as you think best. for, of course, / could
not dream that you would ever betray
cause"
A veteran Of conspirators said:
Count Lalin has never persesuted US:
shown forbearance. The officer who would
fill his place might be q really dangerous
enemy. l am of Ivan's opinion"
Poleno rose next: If the death Of a Just
man were useful to our cause we ought not
to hesitate. But an act Of useless ~iniquity
great Of the earth should be publicly tried
il q sufficient triumph. His death does not
seem to be called for"
Several nihilists voted in like manner,
for Ivan Kolok, the treasurer, had great
personal influence over them. Darine
word. Muller turned to him, saying:
".You have not spoken yet, Darine. 1 wait
for your answer"
The procurator wished to consult Schelm,
but Muller, seeing that he bent over to
whisper into his neighbours ear, looked fix
eddy at Schelm, who, as il fascinated, could
only stammer q few unintelligible words.
Darine looked co~ntemptuously at him and
said at last:
~ am the representative of justice and
distribute it equally to all. AS a member
Of this association l have been able to ia
~cilitate its triumph bv OBSCURE means.
n e.r however; ny ~ responsibility ends. as
under the orders Of the president of the
mystery. Like yourselves, l cannot undo
| what l have don't without betrayinR our
cause. Once in my seat as judge, I have
no superior; l depend solely on my con-
science. 1t is my only law. If you can,
man to be innocent. which | strongly
doubt, ! shall hear you in court. Is that
enough for your"
Perfectly" replied Muller. "Now leave
me alone with your president; we must dis
cuss some points,"
buU III tHlS IuuCuure OCuelm IeCOVcreu NJS
voice and %anxiously cried out: Don't
leave me, Darine! He will kill met"
The judge shrugged his shoulders and,
rising from his seat, gave the signal to the
other nihilist to leave the room.
"Wait, all of you, in the conference hail.
Muller commanded. II shall be with You
presently"
"Darine, l have conided in you! Do not
forget me, for PHYS sake! You are a trail
tori" cried Schelm, as he saw him open the
door. oh! He will kill mel"
Muller locked at Schelm as he was twist
ing and tuning in his chair with a cruel
smile. Darine replied on the thresholds:
That man ia my superior and yours. You
have acknowledged. him to be such. ! do
not betray you'll only obey him."
The nihilists went away one by one. The
veteran conspirators whispered into BelIo's
ears, pointing at the nabob: II do not
know where / have seen that man, but I'm
sure l know him."
"Pshaw.." replied Bello. ''You claim you
know everybody"
The last of the nihilists closed the door
behind him and every trace of an opening
disappeared with him. Schelm and Muller
were alone.
TO DE CONTINUED.