Connecticut western news., 1895-01-24
PRICE OF BETRAYAL.

'And what do you say your numbers are?''
 "Twenty-two, excellency, myself in- cluded, but I"-
 'No need to say anything further at present. It is for you to prove yourself worthy of our confidence and of the czar's clemency." .
 ''I Iassure you we had no political aim in view.'.
 'I cannot listen to that. Have you made out the list you promised?"
 ''It is here, excellency."
 The chief of the secret police took the paper handed to him and silently com pared it with ono on his desk.
 ''Dostoieffsky, he read and looked up inquiringly, lis he one of you?''
 '.One of the society, but it was only to read Fourier and Proudhon we
 1T cannot hear you, have told you already. Be silent and answer my ques- tions. "
 Then he again scrutinized the list and muttered to himself, "Bardin, Louban- off, Sobotin-I was not aware of these last. You have done well, Radovitch, and you will find that the czar S govern ment is not unmindful of those who serve it we'll. Your recent action will atone for your past errors and merit re- ward besides. '"
 Might 1 venture to suggest one thing to your excellency?"
 Speak out, man. What frightens you now? I have told you that you have nothing to fear, and I can make my word observed"
 ''That I know we'll. and yet, and yet''--
 "Well?''
 My life will not be worth day s purchase if it is known that it is who have furnished this information.
 ''You should have thought of that be- fore joining their society. Isee you have something to suggest. What is it?"
 That when the seizure by the police takes place no distinction be made be- tween me and the others. !"
 "Of course you will be apprehended with them.
 ''And tried?''
 "Yes, if you wish it, and condemned, too, for that matter. Anything further?''
 And pardoned along with the less guilty of the others, so as to avoid all suspicion?"
 1T quite understand you. Rest as sured you will have no reason for fear in that respect.
 ''I thank your excellency Any fur, ther orders?'
 None; you may go."
 The chief of police smiled to himself as the spy took his departure.
 And so you want to be treated like your fellow conspirators, that you may not be found out by such as escape us. So be it. You will have all you have bargained for. my man."
 That very evening the police raid took place. Taken as they were by sur prise and unconscious of any treachery on the part of one of their number, the little coterie of students, artists and young doctors found themselves bagged, without single exception. They indig- nantly denied the charge of conspirine against the government. Their discus. sions were social, not political, they as severated. But General GaraShinin' < myrnidons merely shrugged their shcul- ders deprecatingly, perhaps incredulous ly. They had heard that sort of thing before, and 1t had meant Siberia fol many, if not a more summary fate. Among the p was Radovitch, who wa: also among the loudest in protesting in nocence.
 In month the trial took place. Rad ovitch VI 5 not called to give evidence, but took his place among the accused, and, like lis companions, had to plea6 guilty or not guilty to the charge oi conspiring to subvert the government For weeks the trial dragged its slow length along, for, thoug.: few witnesse: were or could be callas bey ond the DO lice who effected the arrests, there were hundreds of documeEss, many of then immature essays, and most of purely academic interest, to be read, which, il a way that only one of the prisoner: understood, had come into the hands O. the prosecution as we'll as brief minute: of their proceedings obtained in tho same way.
 At length the whole 22 were adjudget guilty. Twelve were sentenced to Si beria, but not to the mines, as the elem ency of the czar provided. It was witt a thrill akin to horror that Radovitcl heard himself sentenced to death, alon; with the other nine, tho N h conscious that 1t only formed part or the arrange ment that he himself had suggested tc General Garashinin.
 Sentence to Siberia would have served the purpose equally we'll" hs ] muttered to himself, and turning t 1 look at his companions he found him self wondering if his own face was a: | deathly pale as each of theirs. ''To be shot on the glacis of the fortress at sun rise tomorrow morning." he kept TO beating to himself, though assuring | himself that the words could have nc reference to him, for the czar must keeI troth even with traitors, or none would be found to serve him in future. Dostoieffsky and the others calmly ac cepted their fate, and after hurried | farewell to their more fortunate fellows were conducted to their cells for th' | last time.
 Some of the prisoners slept soundly ns though entirely unooncerned in tn grim tragedy to be enacted on the nor l row. Not so Radovitch. From side t, side of his narrow cell, like some caget wild animal, he paced, listening tn while intently for the footstep of tn messenger that was to recall him t freedom and to the joys of life. Tn long night passed. all too quickly fo