The Jersey City news., 1891-02-11

q VOICE OI SupplCS5CA I@3c, llcu 1 Will
no longer believe in human fidelity OF
the future of our cause. But-deathl if
the story is true. Which of us is the in
former" added the speaker, staring
fiercely at the pale faces of his com
panions.
Bah! 1t is useless to ask that, my dear
professor" exclaimed lvan-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 viii assert his innocence, of course.
But. comrades, suppose we endeavor to
find him outS Let MS 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 agreedi" exclaimed the nj
hilists, as with one accord they sprang
concfusively to their feet. One Of the
students, tall. lank youth, with a some
what foppish appearance, objected, how
ever, to the proposal.
''But whys' hotly demanded the pro-
fessor, who seemed all eagerness to begin
the investigation.
Because" was the Insulating rejoin-
der, because it is unnecessary. Our
word Of honor ought to be enough. Be
sides, there is something degrading in
the idea of searching one another, as if
indeed, we were lot Of pickpockets.
So let us break up the meeting. This
excitement is absurd, and renders the
discussion of our plot impossible. As for
the story told by the drunken soldier in
the cafe don't believe word of it"
These words produced an angry muir
mur among the excited conspirators.
The protest seemed so ridiculous, and as
the clamor increased Ivan turned to the
speaker and warmly exclaimed: "Very
well; we shall abstain from searching
you, since you wish it, but remember
this, that if we fail to ind a clew to the
informant among those who willingly
submit to the examination we shall then
know upon whom to fix our suspicious.
Now, comrades, search me firsts I am
ready"
In a moment the speakers pockets
were emptied of their contents, and
even the Innings of his clothes were care
fully searched; but beyond q few old
love letters, some political pamphlets
and an English newspaper with a para
graph obliterated with lampblsck, moth
ing of an discriminating character was
found. A second student readily sub
mitted to the test-if test it were-with
similar results. Then third stepped
forward and placed himself in the hands
of his companions. But at that mo
ment curious incident occurred. An
invisible hand suddenly extinguished
the light of the candle, and in a second
the room was plunged in utter darkness.
What did it mean? Who had quenched
the light? For moment the nihilists
remained motionless, as if rooted to the
spot. As they listened in alarm, they
heard a strange creakinS sound in the d.
rection of the curtained window.
Suddenly the voice of Ivan exclaimed
in the darkness: Comrades. this is a
trick. Listenl Some one is endeavoring
to escape by the window! 1t is the
traitor at last. His attempt to escape
betrays his guilt Stand backl l know
how to deal with him!"
In an instant the report Of three re-
volver shots rang through the room, and
was 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 light now," he said in
trembling voice, "and let us look upon
the face of traitor. VIII no one mover
Are you all afraid to gaze upon the dead
body of Iniscreant who has betrayed
us to our enemies? Come, professor,
where are the matches? You had them
last. But hushl What sound is that:
Listenl By heavens, comrades, the po-
lice are upon US already. The house is
surroundedl Quick Here is trap door,
known only to myself. 1t leads to the
main sewer, and is our only hope of es-
cape. Follow mer'
Cropping hand in hand in the dark, the
affrighted men followed the speakers
direction, and after some momentary
confusion, disappeared into q noisome
abyss. None too soon. In another in
slant the door Of the room was battered
to pieces and company Of gendarrnes
entered. Lights were ROW flashed in
every direction, but it was obvious to al
that the conspirstors had escaped. The
officer in charge swore long and deep,
and ordered the men to search the house
from top to bottom Then. advancing
toward the window, ne stumbled over
human body.
whats thisgv he exclaimed. examin-