The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1903-02-12

~N~''N--So.
hilists."
place is, your eScellency. There will
be no more nesting"
"Do you know a forge on the forest
road leading out of Perm to the south?"
"a forge? A horseshoeing place."
"Wen that and all ironworking. 1t
is kept by a man named Paulpoff."
"Pauipoff, the giant who breaks horse
shoes with his thumbs and forefingers?
The simple minded son of old Michael?
What has be to do with nihilists?"
"He is their leader" Neslerov said
quietly.
Jansky turned white, whether from
surprise or horror at the devilish plot
ne scented we do not know. But he
sat there waiting. The police of Tomsk
needed chief. The chief would have
a palace and a large salary.
Yes" continued Neslerov. this Paul
poff. as accidentally discovered, is the
leader of band of nihilists. who meet
there in the shops. l chanced to pass
there yesterday and overheard a bit Of
conversation between the son and the
old man. 1t seems there is to be a
meeting in few nights"
"A meeting of nihilists in the shops
of Paulpoff?"
Yes. Now, it has long been suspect
ed that there We're many nihilists at
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 go 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
to the minister of justice for you, and
undoubtedly you will be given to me as
the chief of the Tomsk police"
Jansky nodded. 1t was not for him
to ask questions now.
81 am ready" he said.
'"Then tomorrow. Twill make still
further Investigations in my own way,
and we shall beready to act. We must
both go to Perm from here
| Jansky. not being asked to remain
longer, took his departure. And then
suddenly from his repose the prince be-
came 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, unsealed unstamped, but
addressed to each and apparently hav-
ing been delivered by the hand Of pri-
vate messenger.
go with me, do what bid you and
you will have gold rubles for a years
pleasure" he said.
Inspector Jansky. happy and yet agi-
tated 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 Neslerov.
"He was mistaken or he has failed"
he said. HE would have come il there
was possibility of success"
AS he spoke the princes horse gal
ioped to the door.
"Good! Then success is possible!'
said Jansky. grasping the hand of his
noble benefactor.
|
me-"
Jansky's horse was soon by the side
of the steed ridden by the prince.
II made it my business to ride past
the shops of Paulpoff,' said the prince.
II met there. just leaving, a man who
was, to say the least, discreditable in
| appearance. | spoke to him, and he
was frightened. | saw him crumple a
paper il his hand. | snatched it from
him. 1t was a message addressed to
'Nunbes Five OF some mysterious cir
cle, calling upon the person bearing
that name to come to the shops at a
certain hour tonight. We shall be in
time Let us ride
1t had so CHANGED 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 We're 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 horseshoeng 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
continually at the others for being
there
Neslerov, upon arriving at the shop,
whispered to the inspector, and both
leaped from their horses.
Seize the old man and the son." said
Neslerov. 81 will search these fel-
lows
Poor old Papa Paulpoff turned white
and sank in horror to the ground. sus-
pecting what was coming. but Vladi-
mir, in whose innocent mind there was
no suspicion, stood gaping at the new
eomers
ut is the prince" he exclaimed.
What have these poor men done, your
exeellencs2'
s~s-s7lssesZ se,s,----sl4-