Waterbury evening Democrat., 1904-08-05
In the Service of the Czar
By WALTER LAURENCE RACKET
(Copyrght, 1S9 by the Short Story blishing Cou-
 pany. All Rights Reserved.l
- HE room was dingy and but poorl,

Copyright 1899, by the Short Story blishinR Com-
 pany. All Rights Reserved)
 HE room was dingy and but poorly
 lighted. Around the long table in it's center were gathered the conspirators the men who had sworn to kill the czar. A strange looking appearance they made h the fickering 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. i 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 It becomes my duty, therefore, to speak out. Our days of plotting are passed, the time for action has come At last we shall strike 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 keg in cor ner, the president continued:
 "Our materials are at hand; our oppor- tunity, also. The czar visits Krasnoe- SeIo Thursday-'
 The noise of scuff1e 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 onicer, followed by squad of soldiers, rushed into the room Tn an instant every one of the conspirators was cov- cred by rifle
 You are my prisoners" said the off, cer, 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 oth- ers
 u.
 Silently they obeyed him poweriess to resist. The officer turned to his men and gave 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, coldiy. Then to the soldiers: sTake aim. Fi-s
 "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 l peafed; his face was yellow with fear; his teeth chattered; great drops of sweat stood on his forehead. 'sNo-no-you must not shoot me- l he shrieBed; "T am of yourselves-I am an agent of the Third section It was l I who informed against these men-if you kill me 1t will be murder-murder murder--' He groveled on the floor at the officers feet.
 The doomed men looked at the mis- 1 erable wretch with bitter contempt, while in the presidents eyes there was something that looked like. triumph.
 '.An agent of the police said the officer, doubtfully. You have your cre- l dentials?"
 t'Yes-yes screamed the wretch, fearing piece of paper from his pocket and handing 1t to the officer, "ft Is there 1 --it is there. An, my God!'
 This last exclamation was one of re- ! newed terror, for the soldiers, dropping their rifles, had sprung upon him, SsA were binding him hand and foot
 The president stepped forward, with smile.
 Brothers" said he, to the amazed men, who still stood against the wall, tbrothers, in great cause, like ours. we cannot be too careful. This little scene was devised to discover what traitors we had amongst us. It has suc- ceeded. You, who have proved faith ful, are quite safe.
 The men looked at him as thougl they could scarcely credit their senses then one or two began to sob, and on man laughed.
 And this spy?" he questioned.
 A fierce murmur ran around the room
 the men, with one accord, started to
 ward the corner, where the man Ia bound.