Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1899-04-13
C666 3 8 81
o *
!: THE BLACK TERROR !
= Il Romance Of Russia. x
- BY JOHN Il. LEYS. *
- x

BY JOHN X. LEYs.

TO admit that had nothing to 90 With
extracting that pledge fro your
Not personally. You had too fine a
sense of honor" sneered the Prince.
You merely stood by and allowed the
principal villain to wiring it out of me.
But it is worthless! No man would be
justified in giving his daughter to such
scoundrel. No; l must do my duty
Your duty?"
Certainly. AS loyal subject of the
Car, and one whom His Majesty has
irtrusted with an important command.
1 have little doubt that the magistrates
will be able to make more out of you
with respect to your associates than
can. You will be sent to ST Petersburg
at once"
For one instant a ray of hope had
shot into my mind 1t was evident that
the Prince knew nothing of the work l
had been engaged in. He had never
heard, probably. Of the abduction OF
the Car; at all events. he did not
connect me with that otfense. But the
news that l was to be sent to the capt.
tai made this of very little conse-
quence. Once in the hands OF the all-
thorities at ST., Petersburg. my doom
was sealed. De Noilletf had only to
speak in order to insure my condemna-
ton.
so you mean to have me arrested"
l said slowly.
You have come to the point at last,
said the Prince, with malicious glee.
Don't be too sure" haid I, and as l
spoke. 1 drew the revolver l had
brought with me from London, and
which l always carried about me. IF
any man touches me, it will be at the
cost of his life"'
pointed the weapon at the treacher
GUS Prince, and l saw his face blanch
as he realized that, for the moment, he
was at my mercy. But when he per-
ceived that 1 was making my way
steadily to the door, he recovered his
nerve. and. drawing a whistle from his
breast, he blew shrill blast.
The sound was still vibrating among
the rafters of the hall. when the doors
We're thrown open, and several SER
wants. most Of whom | knew by sight,
AOcked in.
Seize that man, shouted the Prince.
Seize him and put him in irons
AS the men advanced, compact
crowd l 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.
L could easily have killed one or two
perhaps more but my hand refused to
act l could not do it. These poor fell
lows We're only oheying 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. even if l could by so doing.
gain a chance Of escape? Would not
their dying cries haunt my ears for
! evermore?
There stood the Prince Surely, if
anyone ought to die. it was he-he who
had broken faith and was rewarding
the service 1 had rendered him with
the blacklist ingratitude, Yes; it 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 Irenes father! 1t was impossible
that he should perish by my hand. My
revolver swerved: and that moment OF
hesitation ended all. l was seized by
four or five at the same instant. and
threw my revolver upon the floor,
where it exploded without doing any
damage.
Lock him up in one 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 go to st. Petersburg