The Forrest City times., 1904-08-19
Inthe Service of the Car
  By WALTER LAURENCE RACKET
Copyright, lSS by the short Story Publishing Com
 pany. All Rights Reserved
HE room was dingy and but poorly


 HE room was dingy and but poorly
 lighted. Around the long table in its center were gathered the con spirators the men who had sworn to kill the czar. strange looking appearance they made in the tiickering candle light; some with fierce faces marked by the bitter lines of hunger and of hate; some with the en- thusiastlc and wrapt expression of dreamers: others with the cold impas- siyity of great generals. One of the last mentioned. colder, more impassive than the rest. sat at the foot of the tsble. 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 a 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 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 a sound in the room. Some hreathed little more quickly-that was Ill. Pointing to 2 powder keg in a cor ner the president continued:
 Our materials are at hand; our oppor- tunity, also. The czar visits Krasnoe- Selo Thurs day.
 The noise of scuffie 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 GOV cred by a rife
 You are my prisoners, said the off, cer, eurtly.
 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- CTS
 Line up against the wall he ordered. Silently they obeyed him-powerless To resist. The officer turned to his men and gave sharp order. The soldiers raised their guns and aimed them al the oefenseless breasts of the prisoners.
 Again the president spoke:
 What do you mean to do?" cried.
 To execute you at once" returned the officer. coldly. Then to the soldiers: Take aim. Fiji"
 Stop"
 The cry rang out loud and clear in the deadly stiffness of the room and the spy sprang forward rom where he stood against the wall
 stop" he cried.
 Get back" said the officer. sternly: but the spy continued to advance. His eoIdness, his impassiveness. had disap- peafed; his face was yellow with fear; his teeth chattered; great drops of swea: stood on his forehead
 No-no-you must not shoot me- ne shrieked: T am of yourselves-I am an agent of the Third section. It was Who informed against these men-if you kill me it will be murder-murder- murder" He groveled on the floor al the officers feet.
 The doomed men looked al the mis- erable wretch with bitter contempt while in the presidents eyes there was something that looked like triumph
 An agent of the police. said the offieer doubtfully You have your ere dentials?"
 fes-yes." screamed the wretch tearing piece of paper from his pocket ana handing it to the officer it is there It IS there. An. my God,'
 This last exclamation was one of re- hewed terror. for the soldiers. dropping thelr rifles. had sprung upon him. ant were binding him hand and foot
 The president stepped forward. witt smile.
 Brothers. said he. to the amazed men. who still stood against the wall brothers. in a great cause. like ours We cannot be too careful This littl, scene was devised to discover wha traitors We had amongst us. It has sue