The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1891-02-22

listed / did not know that / had
superiors. Now our doctrine is log
ical-nihil. | am nothing. There are above
me certain men who perhaps, in their
strength. One of these men will be here
tonight to preside over us. / am even
astonished that he has not come vet. ]
think it. would be proper for US to wait for
him."
Ivan Kolok here said ironically: "Fear
not; he'll Gomez
Schelm, surprised at this interruption
looked at Ivan, who was smiling; a shadow
passed over his mind, but he recovered in
stantly and went on:
II suggest that Darine should be piyen
full power. reserving only the approval OF
the man who is at our head. Brother Ivan,
who has a position among us that is one de-
gree higher thar ours, assures us that he
will come. l think, therefore, we had bet
ter adjourn our decision"
At this ONE a slight noise IVES heard:
a key turned in a lock, the secret panel
moved and Ivan rose saying: Here be
is."
A man whose face was concealed under
the flap of a large cloak appeared on the
threshold and slowly came forward. Schelm
fixed his only eye upon him and all the nihil-
lists locke Mt him with intense curiosity. Hc
Wen up to the presidents chair, moved it
aside n little cast a iook at Schelm and drop
poo Ills C1odhs ToCuelIu utU6Teu II CRY OF most
fearful terror; his hair stood on end: his
eye turned bloodshot: he stretched out his
still useful hand, as if anxious to cover his
face with it, and bent double, n victim of
the most intense terror.
he" he murmured. sit is he! Obi"
"Yes-it is /, Schelmr''
The nabobi' Poieno whispered in his
neighbours ear ana turned pale.
Schelm sank back in his chair: fright sill
enced him: he trembled like an aspen leaf
and his eye, as if fascinated BY the nabob's
look, could not tear itself from the terrible
apparition.
well. Scheim," said the nabob, "here
we meet once more. Let me look ut YOU,
All! | see you bear the marks OF my claws
You look very old, too. 1 knew should
meet you, and as / know You from of old /
armed myself. That was a mistake-I see
1t now. You are helpless. ! shall sit by
you; my arm shall touch yours. shall not
turn my mead, and you will not even be
able TO bite me, for you cannot stir. Do
not trcmble SO, Schelm. / mean no harm to
your
schelm stammered. with a half stiied
voice. in his terror and his rage: do not
kill me. You see | am hall dead already
Il tell you You have nothing to fear from
me. Come. collect yourself, You may
still betray me. but you will not do it, /
think. You will see why directly. | have
CoNie 10 pleau u cause mere before our
brethren. Collect your thoughts. Schelm,
To-, alter having spoken to your colleagues,
l shall have to say something in private to
you"
Have pityl' stammcred Schelm.
'Be quiet nowl'
The nihilists watched this scene with in
efable amnzement. Schelm's panic was an
enigma to them. Darine cast ulon the ex-
chancellor n look of contempt. Schelm,
who SAW nothing but Mullcr's wrathfui
face. did not stir: his almost bloodless lips
were quivering convuls:vely and a whitish
foam began to gather at the corners of his
mouth. When Muller. standing up, nj last
took iiis eye of from the face of the para
lytic. no drew Il long sigh OF relief. Muller
spoke thus:
"Brothren. ! came to yon to-day not MS
your head. but as n member of our great
family. subject 10 your jurisdiction, 10
plead u cause before you. Ivan kolok, my
colleague and my friend; before You Pro-
curator Darine lin fine, before all of you,
leaders of fr . men. Ivan will endorse mo
and tell you NJ the proper time and ia the
proper place who l am. | have called you
~together to ask our pardon FOR a man. l
had taken Count Lanin under my protsc-
ton anu begged You TO spare him. You
would not do 1t. ! cannot make you all re-
s~ponsible, sincea single man among You is
guilty. ! might, even now and here, inflict
chhstiscment upon that man but I postpone
that till further orders. This man 10 the