Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1902-11-11
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By A1hley Town e

| tiOn | got. 1t seems that an inspector
discovered-so they say-that nihilists
were meeting in the forge. Letters
were found on them which implicated
| Vladimir There was trial, so II
was claimed, and Vladimir was found
guilty. am sure Vladimir would
have sent to us If he could"
81 don't want to get mixed up In any
nihilst scrape."
But you will help Vladimir, will you
not?"
What can do"
"You can at least stop at Perm and
see the governor. 1t will not delay VI
long"
81 will do that. certainly; but l don't
fancy there is much use talking to
Gustav. He Is n stern old soldier and
has no sympathy for lovers or plot
ters."
"But he is just and honorable"
"Yes. am sure Of that"
"Then come. We will go to Perm to-
gether and see him."
"Well, suppose l must do as you
say, but we are about ready to start
for the Obi. We can stop at Perm fol
q day"
"That will do"
The preparations were hastily made
and four days more saw them at Perm.
The governor was at home and receiv
ed Mr.. Gordon, the name being an
open sesame anywhere in Russia. Mr.
Gordon plunged at once into the mat
ter of Vladimir's arrest.
"That he was arrested. II the circun-
stances were suspicious. I grant, was
proper enough" said Mr.. Gordon. "But
was there n fair trial? Pardon me II
speak plainly. Your institutions of
Justice here are quite different from
ours at home. l have known where
men were hustled off to Siberia with
no semblance of trial"
"But they were guilty." said the gov
ernor. with smile.
Eyes; ! believe in all the instances
that came under my observation they
were"
at was the same in this case. The
Paulpoffs had been using their isolated
position for base ends. A circle Of the
brotherhood Of nihilists congregated
there. Letters were found upon them.
These letters were all signed by Vladi-
mir Paulpoff."
"Did he admit anythingT
"They never do. 1t is only when a
man is captured in the very act Of as
sassination. and he knows he cannot
escape the death penalty. that he ad-
mits his crime and glories In 1t. The
Paulpoffs denied everything. Of
course"
"Poor Vladimir! He was as inno-
cent rs | am" broke In Frances.
Impossible. The letters were proof
enough"
Are the letters here"
mo; unfortunately, they were car
ried away by one Of the men who es'
capped"
"Then you did not see the letters?
NO, l regret tDdt l ulu uot.
"What was said concerning them"
"Their import was given by Inspect
or Jansky and Prince Neslerov. who
found them. Their testimony so pleas
ed the minister Of justice that Jansky
has been promoted to be superintend-
ent of the police at Tomsk. You seem
to think there is some doubt of the
guilt of these people," said the govern
or, turning to Mr.. Gordon.
"For my part am quite sure they
are innocent. My daughter has been
interested in them since the railway
ran through Perm. 1t is not like them
to plot. They are too simple and
ignorant"
But Vladimir is not. He is shrewd
and intelligent. He has been reader
of books"
"Yes; my daughter furnishes them."
81 am not at all doubtful myself"
said the governor, with grim smile.
"Were I. would begin an open inves-
tigatlon at once. But, you understand.
tue dCCueei was q piihSS anu 'hS S"'
ernor of Tomsk, and the minister OF
justice has set the seal of his approval
on the thing. 1t is delicate matter
for me to reopen. But promise you
this: l will guardedly look into the
thing. and If see any chance for doubt
for your sake will do what can to
help the Paulpoffs."
''Thank you. That is all we can ask,
said Mr.. Gordon. eve may see them