The Washington weekly post., 1899-05-09

Very we'll" said Peter curtly. Act,
then"
Perhaps our friend Cers0n.' explained
DR.. Baird. In a confidential undertons, =
not sufficiently explicit"
THAT row was the idea that occurred to-
ne"
We mus, be YER CAREFUL urged Ger
son, mysteriously. a single word and
the whole affair Is sboilt."
I'm not 50 sure" remarked Peter ner-
vously, that I'll be greatly caring wheth-
er 1t Is spoiled or not
1T Will be bad thing for you Gamer
on said Or. Baird, seriously, ''f 1t does
not go OF well. When man undertakes
on behalf OF the society 70 blow up a
building like the houses Of Parliament
The hoOses Of Parliament? Man. ye're
daft.
Il shall begin to think that you are,
Cameron" said Baird sharply. You
must Try 10 understand that you are deal
ing with those who will not be played the
fool with. Although We have not NET be-
fore, We have your letters"
My frient," said Herr Gerson, laying a
large hand on Peters knee. You d3ke
my advice. You 20 through with II now
that you have commenced / have known
men slFetty, big, strong men, who have
their lives lost BECAUSE OF weakness 1his
conspiracy was started al your own sug-
gestion."
AT any rate" urged Dr.. BaiTd, con-
cernedly. "at any rate don't tell US! Cam
eron. that the explosives are not ready.
I'll have nothing whatever 10 do with
the affair" declared Peter Stewart. mop
ping his heated forehead distractedly with
his handkerchief. IN rot mix meselt up
in"
"Bardon me-. interrupted Herr Gerson.
1T is too late 10 say that"
IF this is intended for fun" declared
Peter. strenuously. Il can only say that
its not my idea Of hun:or. i know most
Jokes, and this is not one of them"
IT'S no choke" said Herr GersOn. shak-
ing his head. We extremists do not DO
our work in order to amuse.'
Il consider you are Il scouLdrel, Came
ron" remarked Bair1 fiercely. TO attempt
10 back out of it in tins way; the more
so that the next name on the society's
list is that o. a woman
Let her do it," said Peter Stewart.
loudly ard r4cklessly. I'll give way 10
any woman
Not 50 loud, Car9eron." The men
smoking in the other corners Of the rOOm
had looked round cuTicusly on hearing
the raised voice "i.'s a hard thing 20
put a job like this on the shoulders
Of a mere girl
Peter Stewart sat hack in his chair, and
closed his eyes. the better TO concentrate
his thoughts. II seemed clear to him
now why the red-haired Cameron had
made his acquaintance in Hyde Park and
had urged him to take his place at the
dinner. The moment of danger having
arrived, Cameron had shiTked the Tespon-
sbility. Apparently, the best thing TO do
now was 10 leave the house with all
convenient dispatch.
so you understand. Baird. The result
Of all this is that Miss Muriel Harcombe
must undertake the duty which this gray
en-hearted coward has evaded.'
''Not-the young sister" exclaimed Pc
ter, affrightedly.
The young sister,
Peter Stewart felt 2 sensation of chok-
ing at his throat He pulled at his COL
lar. which gave way, and he stood up.
looking about him in a dazed, confused
manner Some one in the other corner
said it was high time they reioined the
ladies. and Peter found himself IN, as it
seemed 20 him, dense fog, following the
procession of men upstairs. His one idea
was TO speak a word of serious caution
TO the younger Miss H&TcOmbe, and then
TO leave He cursed himself silently IN
the Scotch language for having shown
such a want of caution as TO find him
! self embTOiled in Z conspiracy of the
worst nature.
Louise Michel" remarked Herr Ger
| son, in an undertone. is she bret.y
well?'
I'm not acquainted with the woman" !"
replied Peter, abruptly.
Don't be d nonsense fellow" urged the
| German You are in d bad temper and
/ yoI say silly, stupid things We must all
| Of Us preserve CALM" added Herr GersoH,
| "oserwise everything IS lost"
Let II be lost
THAT shows admirable courage" said
the German, patting him OF the pack ap-
provingly. Il was sure you were Il devil
may-gare yellow. We men garry Our lives
/ in our hands. and We are alleway5 bTe-
| barred for the worst" He lowered his
voice again. 'PictICVski leaves England
| tonight for Moscow"
That's no concern Of mine"
| Excuse me-" Dr. Baird interposed,
sternly. "Gerson, l must ask you to take
note of Comrade Camercn's remarks. A
meeting will be held in the card room
/ presently. presided over by Lady Eastern,
| to determine what steps the society shall
/ take in regard to the rescue Of prisoners
/ from Siberia, and"
IN take no hand in it," declared Peter,
| eXcitedly.
And | shall ask you, Gerson, to draw
formal attention to the remarks that Cam
eron has made TO yoC- There is the case
/ of Berlette TO go upon"
| Il almost fail TO remember" said Herr
/ GersOn, thougktfuliy. what was done in
the madder of Berlette"
| DR. Baird leaned against the balustradc
and looked th1ughtfully down the stair
| case From the draw .ng-rOom came the
| chatter OF wOmen's voices. and Peter
! Stewart, as he recognized one Of those
voices. clutched at the pedestal OF a
statue 10 steady himself
"Berlette," said Baird, slowly, "Rerlette
was appointed 10 look after-to look after
l say-the French President His hearl
| failed him al the last moment and he
took passage on board La Bretasne al
Hayre for New York, thinking to escape
| the condemnation Of the society"
| Useless murmured Herr Gerson.
"On land at New York he went into
the custom-house 10 clear his trunk A
member Of the society was there i'm ths
! guise of a custom officer.
! Clever said Herr Gerson. "gleyerr'
Il needn't remind you OF what haup-u.
ed after that A long Thin knife. : kacr
blaze"
You don't lcok We'll, my frient Game
ron" said GersOn
4 am not surprised - said Peter, gloom,
iIy.
We must alleways bresent a smIlip.
face TO the world" urged Herr Gerson.
i refuse 10 smile" said Peter. siren
I uously. Il refuse 10 DO anything
You're most extraordinary man
Cameron" said young Dr. Baird. curious
~. Il can't understood you" The tbre,
! stopped outside the ora9ed doorway q
the draWiug-room and allowed the othe
| guest 10 90 in. Il understand from v,u
letters that your hearI Vas in the cause