Montour American. (Danville, Pa.) 1866-1920, 1902-10-16

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meeting in few nights
"A meeting of nihilists in the shops
of PaulpoffY
"Yes. Now, it has long been suspect
ed that there were many nihilists al
Perm, but the police have not been able
to uncover them Let me advise YOU
Keep this to yourself-a secret between
you and me. We will 60 to the forge
and arrest these Paulpoffs. If we find
proof that they are nihilists, they will
go across the border and you will be
mentioned for promotion. Then the
opportunity will come to me to speak
to the minister of justice for You, and
undoubtedly you will he given TO me as
the chief of the Tomsk police"
Jansky nodded 1t was not for him
to ask questions nrw.
81 am ready" he said.
Then tomorrow. | will make still
further Investigations in my own way,
and we shall be ready to act. We must
both 90 to Perm from here"
Jansky. not being asked TO remain
longer, took his departure. And then
suddenly from his repose the prince be
came a man of quick action. He called
from his estate four men in whom he
knew he could place the most implicit
confidence He spent some time at his
desk writing To each of the four he
gave letter. unsealcd. unstamped, but
addressed to each and apparently hav-
IL; J., { l,n of TTsi
vate messenger.
"Go with me. do what bid you, and
you will have gold rubles for years
pleasure" lie said
Inspector Jansky, happy and yet agi-
tatcd at the result of the conference
with the prince sat in his office in
Perm on the following afternoon. 1t
was growing late and he had looked
hours for Prince Nesleroy
'IIe was mistaken or he has failed"
he said "Hc would have come if there
vas a possibility Of success"
As he spoke the princes horse gal
lopcd to the door
Good! Then success is possible"
said Jansky. grasping the hand Of his
noble 6enefactor
Possible! 1t is certain Come with
ne"
Janskys horse was soon by the side
of the steed ridden by the prince.
81 made it my business to ride past
the shops of Paulpoff,'' said the prince.
aI IL, lp
was, to say the least, discreditable in
appearance. | spoke to him, and he
was frighten d. | saw him crumple a
paper in his hand. | Snatched it from
him. 1t was Il message addressed to
Number Five of some mysterious cir
that name TO come to the shops at a
certain hour tonight. We shall be in
time Let us ride"
1t had so chanced that a number of
accidents to horses had taken place
that day on the forest road. When
the inspector of police and Neslerov ar
rived, four men were within the shop,
their horses standing outside, and all
were apparently in the greatest eager
ness to have their horses ShOd. Papa
Paulpoff was visibly disturbed by this
sudden influx of the hOrseshOeing busi-
ness, but the giant Vladimir, who new
er refused a request if he could help a
human being, was beginning to make
the shoes The men did not apparently
know one another, and each growled
. 1At.i11 n
there.
Neslerov, upon arriving at the shop,
whispered to the inspector and both
lrapeu from their horses.
Seize the old man and the SOM said
Neslerov. Il will search these fel-
lows"
Poor old Papa Paulpoff turned white
and sank in horror to the ground, sus-
pccting what was coming, but Vladi-
mir, in whose innocent mind there was
no suspicion, stood gaping at the new
comers.
at is the prince" he exclaimed.
"What have these poor men done, your
eXcellency|
Neslerov did not answer him. He
turned to the nearest of the four, wres-
tied with him a short time while the
others showed evidences of terror, and
then pulled from his pocket letter.
See" he cried, waving it in the air
and then showing it to the inspector.
1T is a message to Number Threep
We have here the five constituting the
circle"
Let me read" said the inspector,
while Vladimir still looked on uncOn-
scious of the tragedy that was being
played with himself as its center.
The letter simply commanded Mum
Der Three to attend a meeting of the
circle at the shops at that hour
The name of Vladimir paulpoff was
signed.
1T is enough cried Jansky. Paul
pOff, | make you my prisoner in the
name of the cZar"
The young irOnworkcr could, had he
exerted his strength, have thrust the
entire shameless crew from the place
and crashed their skulls together. But
even now he did not realize the enOr-
nifty of the thing with which he was
charged.
Attend, Paulpoffs"' commanded Jan
sky, while the prince went through the
pockets of the other three Of the circle.
"Oh. have Mercy cried Papa Paul
poff, falling upon his knees and clasp
ing the legs of the prince. 1--WE are in
nOcent. | swear it. Some enemy has
done this thing! The name is not in
the writing Of my son, | am certain!
Oh, let me see the letters"'
Neslerov made a movement rs if TO
hand the letters to the old man when
n'';:2I|. "a "a > !