Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1891-06-23
TRsAcHERY EXT RAoR0lNARY.
The Astonishing Story of the Russian Nj
hilist, Degaief.

n1llst, OeEhleIs
The recent arrest of the Nihil1st, Degaief,
in south Russia for the murder of SOIL
dieikin, was the termination OF as remark
able q career as a Russian Nihilist ever
ran. Eleven years ago Degaief was a cap
siastlc. we'll educated, and discontented,
He was On idealist and firm believer in
the badness of the state of affairs in
modern Russia. He was not then a
Nihilist, but he had in hun all
the materials from which Nihilists are
made. He drifted slowly and naturally
INTO the society Of radicals, and became
steadily more extreme in his political
views, till day came when he found HIM
self at the head of conspiracy against the
life of the Gar. The conspiracy was DIS
covered, all theconspirators were arrested,
and Degaief was condemned 10 die. He
accepted his fate without a whimper.
Three DAYS before the date set tor exc
cutting him the door OF his cell was opened
to admit Soudieikin, whom Degaiet recog-
nized Immediately as an old and long-for-
gotten comrade IN arms.
SAVED HIM.
How are you, old fellow?" said the
chief.
relaxed into state Of resignation, and an
swered. My last opportunity to speak
for myself, isn't it?
mo. comrade," was the reply. II bring
TO you the pardon of the Gar"
"What What Then he requires from
me some service in return"
Nothing OF all. You are free, uncondi-
tionally free. Come home with me ana we
will talk about it,
Deeaief went. In his study Soudieikin
said "You know our old friendship.
Well, that saved you. went TO the Gear
and interceded for you, giving my word OF
honor that If freed you would quit your
old ways. / have the good fortune to en-
ioy the Cars confidence, and he granted
me the life of my friend"
Degaief sank in tears at the CHIEFS feet,
and protested his determination never
again to make common cause with the Nj
hilists. The chief continued
What do you expect to do now2 Your
return TO the army is impossible. can
offer YOU my secretaryship, with salary
enough 20 paw for your daily bread. You
will be, in case YOU accept this, member
of the secret police and my rlght-nand
man. Go home, think about II, ana de-
eide without undue attention TO my ad-
Full of gratitude Degaief fastened to
enlist i'm the service of the chief. lie put
head. heart, and hand in his work. ne
nursned his old colleagues day and night.
Nineteen Nihilists were brought by him 10
death and scores were sent through ms
influence 10 Siberia. Degaiet Obtained
the fnll confidence Of his chief. Soudiei-
lin had estimated him correctly in every
thing save his susceptibility 20 the pangs
OF remorse. Degaief could not torgei
his old radical tendencies; The scorn o.
his former colleagues scorched HIM I'LL ne
| could endure the pain no longer, ne
went one evening TO the house OF Nlnlilst
leader and swore by his revolutionary past
to do anything required oy the feEO-
lutlonary party as the condltloh VI hiS to
ins' XII VsoSudieilen,n said the Nihilist
Degalef requested a day in which to
think over this suggestion. Twenty-foul
hours later he gave his promise to murdei
the man who had saved his life.
THE MURDER OF THE CHIEF.
The full significance of this promise car
| hardiv he comprehended without an I'M
derst9nding of the position of Soudieikin
| az That time. He was at the height OF ms
| mower. He was only nominally depenoen!
on the Third division. He came ana WEN i
as be pleased had constant access 10 i illt
! car. was master of agents ansWeraol.
onIv II him. and had unlimited credit al
| tbs Imperial Bank. He was, in snort
Nearer 10 omnipotence than any other
nflcer az notice before or since bis time
and ali this power he applied with All ms
/ amazing energy TO the extlnctlOn W
| Nihilisfi and Nihilists. he occupies
lodgings in several quarters Oh o. loV ',ie,
| hure. Every evening, however, ne ine,
/ Deeaief in the third story OF moues'
5seIIino. house. occupied otherwise only
he ANAL tradesmen who knew nothing oil
| Ne identify of their fellow-tenant. Here,
| Deoaief decided, the Chief OF the secre'
! Police must die Two Nihilsts took rooms
! On the third floor in the next house, alo
| with the outside wall adjoining tne 9 1u'
| wall of Soudieikin's apartments. 1ul,ns
| g. three weeks the conspirators labort
a,,slv scratched and filed away brick ane
,norlar between them and their Vlctlm
| Not q hIow was strack. not fragment wa
~, Tha novyder from the walls was car
s;ad ofJ m fhe pockets of Degaief's accom-
,,Iices At last only thin sheet OF pdaistsS5
and paper separated them nom the Oni''
s' nnS i;he NIGHT of the murder Degaief anc
| az man Who had saved his life sat 70
ether al the study desk. Degaief let ial
= heavy paper-weight, the wall was puIs
~ Win a blow from q hammer, ana tn'
| thyee Nihilists sprang upon ooudiel,A III
| 10, ton rningites all four nren struggled ~
"a down The room, and then the Cnle
was struck down dead py Dsshes.; LEI
an hour later the Nihilists insulsgsui u 40 ~,
! the neighborhood and hurrleu on " ~ y
n nor their deed TO company .
Eating reyoluticnists in q tar5on Dass
went The murder was, discovered si, 2.
on ont the next afternoon; shortly s srset
ward Degaiefs acconPlsc 's ,r ~stu the,
~, 81 ~ ~ with life sentence 70 nera y
We, Mely I, - Siberia. Degaief could not betouna
sSiU,Ihnaeh bis portrait was scattered S pys
she length and breadth Of Russia lama sng n's y
fsNarsn;s ~ ~ dead. Eight years later, whns
ns.e 10 enter Russia with Mas'
s nassaa he has been oyertaken by re'fiOu
1 ton. 90. t.,a foln bv Czal
haters or Nihiiist bafe . .ba Rnssian courts
uha9ylhpse tt,a Hsfails Of this remarkable
| crime have been revealed.
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