The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1904-08-11
In 1.-THE Service
of the Gar
By WALTER LAURENCE HACKErr
ht, 1883, by the short Story Publishing Cor
pany. AL Rights Ressrysd.)

peny' AL nights deserYed.l
HE room was dingy and but poorly
lighted. Around the long table in
its center were gathered the conspirators
the men who had sworn to kill the car.
A strange looking appearance they made
in the Pickering candle light; some with
fierce faces marked by the bitter lines Of
hunger and Of hate; some with the en-
thusiastic and wrapt expression Of
dreamers; others with the cold impas-
sivity of great generals. One Of the last
mentioned, colder, more impassive than
the rest, sat at the foot Of the table, fac
ing the president. His manner showed
not the slightest nervousness, not the
slightest exhilaration. Yet in an hour
he meant to betray the men who sat
about him to the horrors Of living
death. on the bleak plains of Siberia.
gaining thereby the lasting favor of his
imperial master. The blow that would
ruin his comrades would make him.
The clock struck eight as the president
rose to speak.
Brothers," he began, brothers, we
have all sworn the same sacred VOWS, we
have all stood the severe tests Of our
order-we can all be trusted. 1t becomes
my duty, therefore, to speak out. Our
days of plotting are passed. the time for
action has come. At last we shall strike
a decisive blow for liberty"
He paused, but no one spoke. There
was not sound in the room. Some
breathed little more quickly-that was
all. Pointing to powder key in cor
ner, the president continued:
Our materials are at hand; our oppor-
tunity, also. The car visits Krasnoe-
Selo Thursday"
The noise of a scuffle in the hall outside
the door interrupted him. Several of
the men who sat about the table sprang
to their feet. the door burst open, and an
officer, followed by a squad of soldiers,
rushed into the room. In an instant
every one of the conspirators was COW
cred by rifle.
You are my prisoners" said the Off
Ger. curtly.
by what right?" exclaimed the presi-
dent He alone seemed cool; the rest
stood as though paralyzed. Ignoring the
president, the officer glanced at the 9TH
ers.
Line up against the wall" he ordered
Silently they obeyed him-powerless
to resist. The officer turned to his men
and gave a sharp order. The soldiers
raised their guns and aimed them at the
defenseless breasts Of the prisoners.
Again the president spoke:
What do you mean to do?" cried.
ITO execute you at once" returned
the officer. coldly. Then to the soldiers:
Take aim. FL"
Stop"
The cry rang out loud and clear in the
deadly stiffness of the room and the spy
sprang forward from where he stood
against the wall.
stop" he cried
Get back" said the officer, sternly:
but the spy continued to advance. His
GOODNESS, his impassiveness. had disap-
peared; his face was yellow with fear;
his teeth chartered; great drops Of sweat
stood on his forehead.
'No-no-you must not shoot me-"
he shrieked; 81 am of yourselves-I am
I who informed against these men-if
you kill me it will be murder-murder-
murder" He groveled on the floor at
the officers feet
The doomed men looked at the mis-
cradle wretch with bitter contempt,
while in the presidents eyes there was
something that looked like triumph.
IAN agent of the police" said the
officer, doubtfully. You have your Gre
dentials?"
''Yes-yes," screamed the wretch,
tearing piece of paper from his pocket
and handing it to the officer, lit is there
it is there. All, my God"
This last exclamation was one of re-
newed terror, for the soldiers, dropping
their rifles, had sprung upon him, and
were binding him hand and foot.
The president stepped forward, with
a smile.