Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1899-04-06

: THE BLACK TERROR ;
. Il Romance Of Russia. 4
. by JOHN X. LEYS. *
. *
Nv JOIN *. LEYs.


10 admit that I had nothing TO do with
extracting that pledge fro you?"
Not personally. You had too fine a
sense Of honor sneered the Prince.
You mertiy stood by and allowed the
principal villain 10 wiring ii out OF me.
But il is worthless, No man would be
justified Ia giving his daughter To such
a scoundrel. No; | must do my duty
Your duty:r
Certainly. AS a loyal subject OF the
Car. and n whom His Majesty has
iEtruSted with an important command.
! have little doubt that the magistrates
viii be able to make more out OF You
with respect TO your associates than |
can. You viii be sent To st. Petersburg
nj once"
For n instant a ray OF hope had
shoe into my mind. Ii was evident that
the Prince knew nothing Of the work |
had been engaged in. He had never
heard, probably. OF the abduction OF
the Gar: at all events. he did not
connect me with that offense. But the
news that | was 10 be sent to the capt.
tai made this of very little conse
queDce. Once in the hands of the au-
thoritles at st. Petersburg, my doom
SMITH, it (which hsttA Jill w
speak in order 10 insure my condemna-
ticn.
$50 you mean TO have me arrestcd:'
| said, slowly.
You have come to the point an last
said the Prince. with malicious glee.
Don't be too sure haid /. and as l
spoke. / drew the revolver / had
brought with me from London, and
which always carried about me If
any man touches me-, it viii be at the
cost of his life.'
| pointed the weapon ut the PREACHER
Gus Prince. and | saw lis face blanch
rs he realized that, for the moment, he
was at my mercy. But when he per-
ceiyed that | was making my way
steadily TO the door, he recovered his
nerve, and, drawing "A whistle from his
breast. he blew a shrill blast.
The sound was still vibrating among
the rafters of the hall, when the doors
were thrown open. and several SER
wants. most OF whom / knew by sight,
locked in.
seize that man. shouted the Prince.
Seize him and put him in irons.'
AS the men advanced. a compact
crowd. | pointed the revolver AT them,
calling out to them TO keep back: but.
with the traditional courage of the
Russian when they are obeying the
voice of a master. they did not finch.
| could easily have killed one or two.
perhaps more. but my hand refused 70
act. l could not do it. These poor fel-
lows were only obeying the man whom
they had been brought up To reverence
as a demi-god. Why should l make
their wives widows and their children
~fatherless. ever il / could. by so doing,
gain a chance OF escape: Would not
their dying cries haunt my ears for
evermoreg
There stood the Prince. Surely, If
anyone ought To die. il was he-he who
had broken faith and was rewarding
the service / had rendered him with
the blacklist ingratitude. Yes: il was
he who ought TO die.
turned my weapon full on him. The
men had not yet reached me. There
was time to shoot him down. But-he
was Irene's father, 1t was impossible
that he should perish by my hand. Ny
revolver swerved: aud that momen OF
hesitation ended all. | was seized by
four or live ar the same instant. and /
threw my revolver upon the floor.
where il exploded without doing any
damage.
''Lock him up in n of the chambers
Of the west tower said the Prince.
turning away, as If he could not bear
To- look at me. And tomorrow, early,
have a carriage and horses in readi-
ness TO 30 TO st. Petersburg