The San Francisco call., 1904-06-26


ering. mo time to STOP" he whispered
hurriedly. 81 have just come to warn
you. Razovski has been arrested. Ex-
anime your books-quick. The police
are ransacking the whole city. Eight
Jewish students. have been arrested.
Good night" And he closed the door
behind him.
l bolted the door and examined every
scrap of paper I had in my trunk.
burned all the letters I had ever re-
ceived from Razovski and some manu-
scripts that might be construed in
manner to throw suspicion upon me.
1 thought had nothing to be afraid
of, and a little later tested the lock OF
my door and crept into bed. I had
scarcely settled myself for sleep when
three blows against the door made the
walls of the house shake.
I'm the name of the law, open!"
thundered a voice.
1 leaped out of bed and unlocked the
door. Four officers entered
"Is your name Ivan Petrowitch Rus
sakoff?" demanded the leader.
said that was my name.
do you know a student by the name
Of Razovski?" was asked abruptly.
Yes"
did you have any communication
with him?"
said that we had exchanged some
friendly letters.
When did you first get acquainted
with him?"
I explained to him.
do you have any relations in st.
Petersburg by the name Of Russia
koff?"
told him that I was an orphan apd
that I did not know OF my relatives.
nor in fact did 1 know whether 1 had
any.
Search the room," commanded the
chief to his subordinates. Every nook
was ransacked. They even threw my
pillows out of their cases. But moth
ing suspicious was found.
What are these short lines?" de-
manded the chief pointing at a manu-
script poem. without reading it.
1T is a poem," I said.
"A what?"
"A poem," repeated.
well, you'll have to explain to the
chief of the detective bureau what
poem is" he replied with burst of
laughter And ordering me to appear
before the chief, he ana the other OFF,
GERS departed.
The relief 1 felt at their departure
can be easily imagined. While they
had been ransacking my room I saw
the prison gates yawning to receive
me. 1 went to bed, not to sleep. but
to wonder fearfully what changes the
next few days might bring.
Presently there came a third knock
ing at my door-this time so gently
that 1 could scarcely hear it. 1 held
my breath. Everything was still; only
the buzzing of the burning lamp was
heard. 1 feared to answer the knock,
so 1 rose on my elbow and stared in
terror in the direction of the door.
Israel" came through the keyhole
in husky voice.
who is it?" 1 asked.
open"
1 opened the door and started back
a step or two. A large, bearded muz-
hik, in a sheepskin hat and fur cloak.
girdled by red belt, stood in the
doorway. Warning me by gesture to
keep silent, he bolted the door behind
him.
were thrown off and l beheld Dolgoff.
"Razovski is in the net" he said in
a low, tremblous voice. "As usual. I
escaped" he added with faint smile.
'"I came to you for help"
answered nothing.
Not for me: I am safe" he contin-
ued ''Razovskis friend, Judge Bial-
nick, is In danger. His house is guard
ed. The police spy him. If he leaves
it in three-quarters of an hour (Which
he will unless he is warned in time) he
will never see his home again"
III 60" 1 said. trembling with agi-
tation.
Don't say yes before you hear the
nature of your mission" he said smil-
ingly. "Bialnick's house is guarded
three squares around. You will be
stopped half a dozen times within the
Peeherskoi. and unless successful you
will not come back to this cozy nook.
l don't want you to undertake this
task without fully realizing the risk
attached to it,"
"PIl CO." 1 repeated parrot-like.
shivering with anxiety for Katia.
II would have gone myself but my
absence from another place would
ruin a score of faithful members. A
secret meeting, which was discovered
by the police, was to be held tonight.
Every member who VIII start for our
meeting place will never see his home
again. / don't wish to impose upon
you, but If you are fearless enough
you will have chance to save the life
of a noble man. who is also a champion
of the Jews
I'll CO." I reiterated, moving about
impatiently. Many conflicting thoughts
rushed through my brain; it was the
battle between revenge and forgive
ness. Love your enemies. bless them
that curse you, do good to them that
hate you, and pray for them that de-
spitefully use you and persecute you,"
a weird voice whispered to me. "Ill
go-I1l co. reiterated nervously, lest
I should change my mind.
Dolgoff took bundle from under his
arm, unrolled it and disclosed an ar
tificial beard. pair Of glasses and
cap with q cockade. "Ready?" he
asked. In an instant 1 was entirely
transformed; my daily companions
could not have recognized me RE