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

FIVE men were seated together in a
small room In q house situated in the
Jewish quarter of busy and largely
populated Russian city. The appearance
of the room was as wretched as tho
external aspect of the house itself.
The solitary window was totally con-
cealed by heavy faded curtain. de-
pending from the roof. and as the wind
moaned dismally through the broken
panes OF glass its somber folds swayed
to and fro. The inmates of this
mouTnf1l den were seated around the
table, smoking their pipes and talking,
as ii furtiyely, in whispers. AS the
feeble rays of the candle fell fitfully
upon the company they revealed the
youthful faces OF four students. The
chief spokesman. however, was much
older man. apparently about so, with
short pointed beard. shaggy brows
and keen penetrating eyes of the
darkest hue. The others deferentially
addressed the speaker as professor
and such, indeed, he was. at that time,
at well-known school of medicine in
Russia.
On the present occasion, however,
he was speaking, not of science, but of
the terrible doctrine of assassination.
Prof. V was nihilist, IL reputed
Colossus OF craft in the dissemination
of revolutionary doctrines and on the
particular evening in question ne was
engaged in advocating with fnery elO-
quence the assassination of n certain
,onlopaI xuho bod lofo1y baan nromota6
TO the rank of chief commissioner of
the secret police. As the night wore
on their whispered conversation was
suddenly interrupted by low knock
ing at the outer door. In a moment
the cOnspirators sprang noiselessly to
their feet and listened with bated
breath. The sound was repeated-a
peculiar whistle was heard from with
out and the listeners exchanged signif-
icant glances and quietly resumed their
seats. Presently cautious footsteps
were heard in an outer room, the door
was opened, and young man hastily
entered. His face was pale, his man
ner agitated and as he returned his
companions salutations he regarded
them with fixed and angry stare.
You have kept us waiting com
rade," exclaimed the professor, putting
calmly at his pipe. light we are al
most frozen, for the air of this wretched
apartment is quite Siberian. But now
TO business, We will warm ourselves
with talk, and fire our minds with the
prospect of revenge"
There was a murmur of approval. IL
was noticed. however, that the young
man who had just appeared upon the
scene took his seat in silence and.
resting his elbows upon the table,
slowly scrutinized the faces OF his com
rades.
my dear professor. he said at
length, 1--WE can not possibly proceed
at present with this business
why notP" was unanimously asked.
because, " replied the latest conner,
rs he quietly snuffed the candle--"be-
cause one OF us is traitor
"A traitor!" exclaimed the men,
starting to their feet.
Eyes, comrades we are betrayed;
and as no one knows OF this plot of
ours except ourselves, it is plain, /
think. that one of us has turned in
formant-"
"You are mad to say So hoarsely
exclaimed the professor; "but in heav-
EMS name, what has happenedP Come,
tell us quickly. This is no iestng
METER"
':Listen, then. On my way hither,
comrades, !. entered cafe de Paris to
sip n cup OF tea and smoke cigarette.
j. happened to sit by two officers of the
secret rJlice, and as one OF them was
somewhat tipsy, i could distinctly
hear his conversation. / found it
rather interesting. He told his com
panicn that he was under orders to
surround this old, deserted house at
midnight--it was near IL now-and to
arrest all persons found within. He
mentioned, moreover. all our names,
nndadded. with maudlin laugh, that
a,oertain person 10 whom the admins
traticn 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 at each other in dis
may. q dead silence filled the room.
for a mere suspicion of treachery
amOng Che men who had solemnly
dedicated their lives to the sacred
cause Of liberty seemed 20 hold them
dumb. Such villainy in their very
midst -among men banded togethe- N
sacred brotherhood-was n grCa:Sr
crime than the mercilesS acts o! Z
despOt and his minions,
IF this is tr;:e" said the professor
in a voice Of suppressed rage, "then /
will no longer believe in human fidel-
ity. or the future of our cause. But
death! IL the story is true. Which of
us il the infermerP" added the
speaker, staringly fercely at the palo
faces OF his companions.
bah! il is useless TO ask that my
dear professor, " exclaimed Ivan-srch
was the name of the youth who had
brought the strange iutefligence-as he
advanced to the door OF the room.
locked it. and placed the key in his
pocket Every one will assert his
6nnocence--of course. But, comrades,
s.,npoaa We andaavoP IN Ard him otYtp