The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1891-02-18
LOCATING THE TRAITOR.


One bitterly cold winters evening five
men were seated together in small
room in house situated in the Jewish
quarter of busy and largely populated
Russian city. The appearance of the
room was as wretched as the external
aspect of the house itself. The solitary
window was totally concealed by a
heavy faded curtain depending from the
roof, and us the wind moaned dismally
through the broken panes of glass its
somber folds swayed to and fro. The
inmates of this mournful den were seat
ed round the table smoking their pipes
and talking, as if furtively, in whispers
AS the feeble rays of the candle fell fit
fully upon the company they revealed
the youthful faces of four students. The
chief spokesman, however, was o much
older man, apparently about fifty, with
short, pointed beard, shaggy brows
and keen, penetrating eyes of the dark
est hue, The others deferentially ad-
dressed the speaker as professor, and
such, indeed, he was at that time, at a
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.
Professor v was a nihilist, re-
puted Colossus Of craft in the dissemina-
ton of revolutionary doctrines, and ON
the particular evening in question he
was engaged in advocating with fiery
eloquence the assassination of o certain
colonel who had lately been promoted to
the rank of chief commissioner of the
secret police. As the night wore on
their whispered conversation was sud
denly interrupted by low knocking at
the outer door. In moment the con-
spirators sprang noiselessly to their feet
and listened with bated breath. The
sound was repeated peculiar whistle
was heard from without, and the listen
ers exchanged significant 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 manner agitated, and as he returned
his companions salutations he regarded
them with fixed and angry stare.
"You have kept us waiting, comrade,"
exclaimed the professor, putting calmly
at his pipe. "Ughl we are almost 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 re-
venge"
There was a nurmur of approval. 1t
was noticed, however, that the young
man who had just appeared upon the
scene took his seat in silence, and rest
ing his elbows upon the table slowly
scrutinized the faces of his comrades
My dear professor" he said at length,
1--WE cannot possibly proceed at present
with this business"
"Why not" was unanimously asked.
Because" replied the latest conner as
he quietly snuffed the candle, "because
one of us is traitor.
"a traitorl" exclaimed the men, start
ing to their feet.
Yes, comrades, we are betrayed and
us no ono knows of this plot Of ours ex-
cept ourselves, it is plain, think, that
one of us has turned informant"
"You are mad to say so!' hoarsely ex-
claimed the professor; "but in heavens
name what has happened? Come, tell
MS quickly. This is no TESTING matter"
Listen, then. On my way hither,
comrades, entered Cafe de Paris to
sip cup of tea and smoke cigarette.
I hax ID % ia 4,.,n <,(f3
GERS Of the secret police, and, as one of
them was somewhat tipsy, could dis
tinctly hear his conversation. found
it rather interesting. He told his com
panion that he was under orders to sur
round this old deserted house at mid
night--it is near IL now--and to arrest
all persons found within. He mentioned,
moreover, all our names, and added with
maudlin laugh that certain person,
to whom the administration Is eternally
indebted, would be found in our midst
playing the part Of conspirator. Now,
comrades, l have done. What shall
we do?"
The men looked at each other in dis
may. A dead silence filled the room, for
the mere suspicion of treachery among
the men who had solemnly dedicated
their lives to tho sacred cause OF liberty
seemed to hold them dumb. Such vii
lainy in their very midst-among men
banded together in sacred brotherhood
was greater crime than the mercilesa
acts of despot and his minions.
''If this is true" said the professor, in
voice of suppressed rage, "then will
no longer believe in human fidelity OF
the future Of our cause. But--death! il
the story is true. Which Of us is the in.
former? added the speaker, staring
6ercely at the pale faces Of his com
panions.
"Bahl it is useless to ask that, my dear
professor" exclaimed Ivan-such was
the name Of the youth who had brought
the strange intelligence--as he advanced
to the door Of the room, locked it and
placed the key in his pocket. Every
one will assert his innocence, Of course.
But, comrades, suppose we endeavor to
find him out? Let us search each other.
The traitor, whoever he may be, must
doubtless have in his possession some
proof of his guilt. At least, the expert
ment is worth trying. What say your
agreed! agreedm exclaimed tho MI
hilists, as with one accord they sprang
conclusively to their feet. One Of the
students. tall. lan]k youth. with some
what foppish appearance, objected, how
ever, to the proposal.
"But why?" hotly demanded the pro-
fessor, who seemed all eagerncss to begin
the investigation.
Because" was the hesitating rejoin-
der, because it is unnecessary. Our
word of honor ought to be enough. Be-
sides, there is something degrading in
tho idea of searching one another, as il
indeed, we were a lot of pickpockets
So let us break up the meeting. This
excitement is absurd, and renders the
discussion of our plot impossible. AS fcl
the story told by the drunken soldier In
the cafe I don't believe word Of it."
These words produced an angry muir
muir among the excited conspirStors
The protest seemed 80 ridiculous, and a
the clamor increased Ivan turned tn