Weekly expositor. (Brockway Centre, Mich.) 1882-1894, 1891-05-01

WOrLn trylnR, w nat say your
"Agreedl agreed" exclaimed the
nihilists, as with one accord they
sprang convulsively to their feet One
of the students--a tall. lank youth,
with a somewhat foppish appearance
objected, however, TO the proposal.
'But whyP" holly demanded the
professor, who seemed all eagerness to
begin the investigation.
because, was the hesitating re-
joinder, "honor ought to be enough.
Besides there Is something degrading
in the idea of searching one another.
as II, indeed, we were a lot OF pick
pockets. So let US break up the meet
ing. This excitement Is absurd, and
renders the discussion of our plot inn
possible. AS for the story told by the
drunken soldier in the cafe, / don't
believe word OF it."
These words produced an angry
murmur among the excited conspirators.
The protest seemed SO ridiculous; and
as the clamor increased Ivan turned TO
the speaker and warmly exclaimed:
Every we'll; We shall abstain from
searching you since you wish it; but
remember this, that IL We fail to find
a clew TO the informant among those
who willingly submit to the examina-
ton 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 lining OF his clothes was care
fully searched, but beyond few old
love letters, some political pamphlets
and an English newspaper with a para
! graph obliterated with lamp-black
nothing of an discriminating character
was found A second student readily
submitted to the test-if test it was
with similar results. Then n third
! stepped forward and placed himself in
the hands of his companions. But at
that moment curious incident occur
red. An invisible hand suddenly ex-
tinguished the light of the candle and
in a second the room was plunged in
utter darkness.
What did it mean? Who had quench-
ed tho light? For moment the nihli-
| lists remained motionless, as If rooted
to the spot. As they listened in alarm
they heard strange, creaking sound
in the direction Of the curtained win
dow.
Suddenly the voice of Ivan exclaimed
in the darkness: Comrades, this is a
trick! Listen! Some one is endeavor-
ing to escape by the window It's the
traitor at last. His attempt TO escape
betrays his guilt Stand back! know
how to deal with him!"
In an instant the reports OF three re-
vover shots rang out through the room
and were followed by an agonizing yell
as some one fell heavily upon the floor.
A profound silence then ensued.
1t was an awful situation.
At length Ivan spoke to his terrified
companions.
Strike u light now he said in a
trembling voice. land let us look upon
the face of a trailer. VIII no one
move. Are you all afraid to gaze upon
! the dead body of miscreant who has
betrayed us to our enemies? Come,
! professor. where are the matches? You
had them last. But hush! What sound
is thatP Listen BY heavens, COM
rades. the police are upon US already.
The house is surrounded! Quick! here
is trap-door known only TO myself.
| II leads to the main sewer and Is our
only hope of escape. Follow me-"
Cropping hand in hand in the dark,
the affrighted men followed the speak
eT's directions, and after some mOmen-
tary confusion disappeared into a moi
some abyss. None too soon. In an
othof instant the door OF the room
was battered to pieces and company
of gendarmes entered. Lights were
now flashed in every direction, but il
was obvious TO all that the conspirators
had escaped. The officer in charge
swore long and deep. and ordered the
men to search the house from top 10
bottom. Then advancing toward the
window, he stumbled over human
body
What's this?" he exclaimed, ex-
aiming the dead mans features with
a lantern. "Ha! so they have caught
you at last, my friend, have they?
Well, you played the spy long and
well. but it always comes to this in the
end"
And tearing down the window cur
tain the officer threw it over the rigid
body of-the professor. Pail Mall
Budget.
/