The Roanoke daily times. (Roanoke, Va.) 1895-1897, 1896-03-01

| hand that had been dipped In some rod
fluid.
What is it?" asked nnxiousiy
cit means that you nro n marked man, I"
said Alexis Pctrovitch. Haven't YOU
heard of tho League of the Red HanL-a
! particularly desperate inner oirolo Of nihil-
istsP You must have done something to
earn their vengeance. They give thoir vic
tins three signs before tho death sontonce
is put into execution, and that is plainly
ono of them. Twice again you will SEQ
the mysterious Rcd Hand, and thon-well,
| not one in 100 escapes
was attached to the British embassy at
ST. Petersburg, and some Important infor-
nation had come into my possession quito
accidentally respecting nihilist plot.
This intelligence had communicated por-
sonally by word Of mouth to ono of tho
highest and most trusted officials of the
car. had told nobody else, not cvon my
very faithful friend Alexis, and the cir
cumstanccs were such that 1t was impos.
siblc to conceive how tho matter could
have como to the knowledge of tho society
Every attempt was made to discover by
whom and by what means tho ''signr had
been impressed on tho ceiling, but without
success. Tho room was lofty one, and
1t was difficult to understand how tho cell
Ing was reached. Tho affair was very mys-
FERROUS, but the nihilist loves mystery.
was made somewhat uncomfortable by
this grim warning but 1 was assured by
those who profcsscd to know the peculiar
methods of tho league that was in no dan
ger until had received tho third sign. So
WAS not greatly alarmed for tho present
had boon offered through my chief an
appointment in England that was In many
respects superior to tho one held, but
had become greatly attached to my life In
St. Petersburg, where 1 had made many
excellent friends. and I declined. 1t was
now proposed that should reconsider INV
decision
did not care for it to be thought that
Ind shown the white feather, and, to DO
candid, ~ tho days went on and did not
receive any fresh sign, began to troat
the matter lightly Perhaps 1t was all II
hoax, and the fact that had made tho i'm
portant disclosures which had frustrated
the nihilist plot WAS not, after all, known
to that body.
Ono night, some ten days later, 1 was
invited by Indy of my acquaintance to
share her box ut the opera AS am pas-
sionately fond Of music and the society of
this lndy's family WAS very agreeable to
me, was glad to accept
The opera was Carmen, and the house
was very crowded and hot Before tho last
act left the private box to smoke ciga-
retto in tho foyer, where I expected to
meet Petrovitch and other friends. There
was great crush at the buffet, and us
WAS raising glass of n cooling drink to
my lips my elbow was accidentally jcrkcd
by n man standing beside mo, and some
of the liquid was spilled over my clothes
nho : L., L. L.
GIGS, and l retired TO less crowded part
of the saloon to wipe my garments dry.
AS 1 drew out my white pocket hand
kerchief l noticed that it bora some red
stains that L was positive were not there
when left home. 1 shook out It's folds
and held 1t spread out in front of me.
1t was the sign of the Rcd Hand!
'How white you look!" said Alexis,
whom met on my way back to tho box
what is the mattcrl'
II have just received the second sign, -
1 said in II low voice.
Good hcavons!" he exclaimed. "Then
BIO advised and leave ST. Petersburg mt
once. In your native country you may
possibly escape-they may not think it
worth while 30 follow you--but to remain
here means certain DEATH
became convinced that Alexis was
Russia. When reached homo that night,
wrote two letters before 1 went to bed.
One WAS resignation Of my post in st.
Petersburg, and the other an acceptance
| of tho appointment in England.
l lost no time in making all necessary
arrangements for prompt departure. One
| thing gave mo grcat plcasure-A lexis had
agreed to accompany me. He had long
promised himself visit to England and
| this WAS an excellent opportunity. was
| to take rather lengthy holiday before en-
toring on my new duties and should DO
very glad OF his companionship.
On the day that we sct off Petrovitch
and drove down to tho railway station to
| gether. AS we wcro stepping into tho con-
| yoyanco An elderly man i'll ragged gar
monts came forward with newspapers. I
| thrust ono into my pocket and handed him
| q coin.
| Wo secured railway carriage to our
| selves for tho journey and were soon steam,
| ing out of the station. Wo sat for some
| time chatting, and of course the convorsa-
ton WAS largely about tho danger that was
| hanging over myself.
''1hon you have received no third sign?''
said Alexis.
"No," l replied. 1.-The secret of my de.
parturo was, l think, we'll kept, and If
they want To carry out their murdcrous do
signs am afraid it will be necessary foI
them to follow no to England. may
consider myself safe now"
eyes, hope so. by tho way, what dc
tho critics SAY about the now play last
night
''Hero is paper, said, taking it from
my pocket.
| Petrovitch unfolded it. AS ho opened il
out IN front Of him he uttered cry of sur
prise and alarm and dropped it on the llool
between lis Ho was pale and spccch!eSs
end his hands trCmblcu.