The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1891-01-18
THE CAR OF THE NIHILISTS
A RUSSIAN MONTE CRIsTo.


ment, dare accept such a mission7 Oh! l
was warned--"
Did some warn you?'' asked Arsen-
But Darine was apparently moro master
of himself.
"Thst Is not the question here. The Ria.
zan society is protected by the central com
Vladimir interrupted him; suppressed rage
was struggling in his breast; Darine's Inn
pudence was too much for his s~elf-cOntrOl.
"HOw dare you oIn to me, Count La
nine, whose duty 1t IL IN prosecute the 10.
cret societies infesting RussisI You must
be demented and I pardon you; ] might ring
that boil and AYE You arrested, but this II
my house and take pity on your folly. 81
duty to order your arrest
The two messengers looked at him with q
sarcastic smile. Darine said:
1T il you. sir, who arc demented. Pray
do you imagine that W. would have VEN
tured into the house Of tho czar's aide-de.
camp without having made sure that moth.
ing VIII! happen TO rs and without having
taken due p~recautions?'
"Ah! this is too much! go out instantly
Or"
Count Lanine,' said the procurator,
we have received a complaint against you.
Prince ,Vandins Gromoff, this morning
wounded In a dnel, is at your house. You
were his secondt'
"The little brief authority with which
you are clothed has deprived you of you
Senses" cried Vladimir exasperated; ''you
Imagine you arc dealing with some poor
landholder. Threaten me! You may blame
yourselves for your arrest"
He walked toward the bell-rope. Arsen-
Jeff turned pale; but Darine-as calm af
Vladimir was excited-stepped between him
and the wall. "Refiect. sir. We are here
in the performance of our duty. n
A complaint was entered this morning and
You are accused Of intending to kill your
cousin.'
'Scoundrel!'
Let me finish, sir! If Prince Gromoff,
who has recently fallen heir to a fortune,
should die without issue you are the next
heir. After having acted as a second at the
duel, after having provoked a quarrel, and
furthermore, after having been the original
cause of it, you have had the wounded man
carried to your home to be nursed and you
nave paid n doctor to poison him."
"Ha. Ha!" cried Vladimir, with a nerv-
Gus laugh, this is worse than lunacy. it il
Madness
And, thrusting Darine aside by main
force, he spranR to the belI-rope and
ened glances at his companion. but Da-
rine was in no way disturbed by the
counts rage.
VERY well, sir, you would have it SOP
said he.
valet opened the door.
Have everybody come here" vIadimi,
commanded, land seize these two menr,
Darine smiled ma iiciOusly.
You would have it SO, sir" he repeated
there is still time-'I
"Siience."
The servants crowded into the room,
Then Darine drew himself up and without
allowing Nladimer time to utter n word:
am the Irnnario1 proou~+1r 49,
friends" he said; II have been notified
that a crime is being committed in this
house. l wished to minimize the scandal
for his majesty's aide-de-camp; but these
gentlemen are too proud: they think they
are living still in the past. Nowadays the
emperor'S Justice is the same for all. great
and little"
The count tried to speak, but Arsenieff,
having recovered from his fright and en-
couraged by Darine's attitude, cut him
short.
I'VE summon you in the name Of the law
to 90 for the commissary of police and the
examining magistrate. / am Arsenief, the
mediator"
1t was the time of the great reform which
emancipated the serfs and instituted regu-
lar tribunals. 'Mediators and imperial
prosecutors were inviolable. st. Peters
burg people. considering them the defend
ers OF their infant Liberties. respected them
and feared them. 1t was notorious that
they always stood up for a peasant against
q noble, a servant against his master.
Thust these functionarics enjoyed the great
est popularity. The servants of the house,
hearing them invoke the law, hesitated.
Vladimir became livid with rage.
ARREST these men; they are the emissaries
of a secret society,""
"Oh.' interrupted Darine, 'that is well
understood; mediators and judges are all
socialists"
He assumed an imposing air.
"A man is dying in this house
He is. perhaps, already a corpse. A crime
has been committed. Whoever shall hinder
the progress of justice will be included il