Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1902-11-12


For goodness sake. how?"
at was natural that
at wasn't natural ut all. What did
say-what have you done-to cause
Vladimir Pauipoff 10 plot against the
czar?'
'.Heavens! Are you so blind? The
Paulpoffs are as innocent of this charge
as you or |. 1t was against Vladimir
the plot was laid"
was it-Neslerov
ut is impossible to say whether he
did or not, but suspect him. You re-
member the day he was here. 1 met
bin as came home from the bazaars,
where l had been buying books for
Vladimir. l did not, of course, suspect
that he had been talking with you
about marrying me. Unwittingly /
told him they were for Vladimir and
asked him also to take an interest in
him."
II also told him of blacksmith in
whom you were taking great interest.
He has put that and your independence
together and has imagined Vladimir.
Well?"
~ had my fears that something was
said about Vladimir. 1t was SO clearly
plot that knew the jealousy of Ne
slerov had been aroused. When learn
cd what had been done, l waited two
days at Perm to see Governor Gustav,
hut he was away, and l could not see
him. 1t was the superintendent of
police who gave me the little informa-
ton 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 a trial, so 1t
was claimed, and Vladimir was found
guilty. am sure Vladimir would
have sent to us If he could"
~ don't want to get mixed up in any
nihilist scrape."
But you will help Vladimir. will you
not:"
"What can 1 dol"
"You can at least stop at Perm and
see the governor. 1t will not delay us
long"
81 will do tl.at, certainly; but don't
fency there is much use talking to
Gustav. He is stern old soldier and
has no sympathy for lovers or plot
ters."
But he is just and honorable"
eyes, am sure of that"
"rhen come. We will go to Perm to-
gether and see him."
"Well, l suppose / must do as you
say, but we are about ready to start
for the Obi. We can stop at Perm for
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 Yladimir's arrest.
"That he was arrested. If the circum-
stances We're suspicious, l grant, was
proper enough" said Mr.. Gordon. "But
was there fair trial? Pardon me IL
speak plainly. Your institutions Of
| Justice here are quite different from
ours at home. have known where
men We're hustled off to Siberia with
no semblance of a trial."
"But they were guilty." said the gov
ernor, with a smile.
Eyes; l believe in all the instances
that came under my observation they
were"
] at was the same in this case. The
I 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 anything?"
'sThey never do. 1t is only when q
man is captured in the very act Of as
sassination. and he knows he cannot
escape the death penalty, that he adj
mits his crime and glories in it. The
Paulpoffs denied everything, Of
course"
"Poor Vladimir! He vas as limo
cent us 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?"
mo; regret that l did not"
''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 TomslS. You seen
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
ore innocent. My daughter has beer
interested in them since the railway
ran through Perm. 1t is not like then
to plot. They are too simple and
ignorant
"But Vladimir is not. He is shrewi
and Intelligent. He has been reade
of books"
Eyes; my daughter furnishes Them"
ulu uOI Ut dll Myself,
said the governor, with grim smile
",Were l, would begin an open inves
tigation at once. But, you understand
the accuser was prince and the gov
ernor of Tomsk, and the minister o
Justice has set the seal of his approve
ON the thing. 1t is delicate matte
for me to reopen. But promise 70
this: will guardedly look into til
thing, and If see any chance for dout
for your sake will do what can t
help the Paulpoffs."
: ''Thank you. That is all we can ask,
: said Mr.. Gordon. 1--WE may see theI
at Tomsk. may say to them tina
your excellency is working to know til
truth?"
you may"
The interview ended, and Mr.. Gordo
and Frances continued their journey.
The first person they saw when the
entered the train was Neslerov. Th
= mark made by Frances bullet wa