Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1904-07-13
A SURPRISE
(Original.1

husband admired her vigor of brain,
but was not sure that it was leading
her in safe channels. However, the two
were very happy together, and fortune
smiled on them.
One day Scaro6 received terrible
shock. Among a number of intercepted
letters that had fallen into the hands
Of the police and were laid before him
was one written by his wife. 1t read:
Bring 1t to the rear door at II o'clock
tonight-that is If the emperor's trip has
been begun as announced on that day. II
the trip Is POSTPONED act accordingly.
Scarofr was unnerved. 1t was plain
that his own wife was in league with
nihilists to assassnate the car After
awhile he tapped a silver bell on his
desk. An attendant entered. and the
chief directed him to pass the inter-
cepted letter. Then he ordered his car
r1age and drove to the Winter palace.
Your majesty" he said as soon as
admitted to the emperor, Il beg that
you will excuse me from attending you
this evening""
W ny 81, ~ AlCs:
MY spies have intercepted a letter
indicating that bomb is to be deliv-
cred to certain person at IL o'clock
on the night of your departure. 1t is
doubtless to be used on your return.
Your majesty will be safe, at least,
from this danger on your outward jour-
ney, and wish to attend personally to
the capture Of the bomb and its bearer
myself. l consider it too important 8
matter to leave to any one else"
''As you think best, prince"
ScarOtf returned to his house at 4
o'clock, threw some things into his
valise and bid his wife goodby. She
had known that he was to accompany
the cart was his custom to do 80
whenever his master journeved-and
there was no surprise
The trip not being put off, l pre-
sumo there is no suspicion Of danger"
remarked the princess.
None whatever"
Without looking at his wife be start
ed to go. He had reached the door
when he heard her call him:
"SergluS.'
He turned She was looking at him
reproachfully.
You have forgotten"
Pardon me, dear. My mind is pre-
occupied. These nihilists who are con-
stantly cOnspiring against the life Of
the car keep me always thinking"
He returned and kissed her
How cold your lips are" she said.
"Something is wrong 4 blow is sure
to fall somewhere before morning.
Some person or persons will go to the
scaffold l wish you were engaged in
another occupa ton"
The chief horror Of it is that we
officers Of the police never know when
It will be our duty to turn over to the
executiOner some one near and dear to
US. Last week one of my deputies was
obliged to arrest his own sister,"
dreadful"
The prince passed out. Well might
his wife call his lips cold. 1t was a
wonder that be could control himself
as we'll as he did, since he was going
to watch for a bomb to be delivered to
his own wife. Starting in the direction
OF the railway station, he soon gave
his cOachman orders to turn and drive
to his private Office, which was sepa-
rate from that in the headquarters Of
police. There he dismissed his car
rage, telling his coachman that he
would go to the station later and on
foot. Entering his Office, be remained
there till the clock struck 10. then
emerged, disguised as a peasant and
directed his steps to his own house
Taking position near by where he
would be unobserved, be waited and
watched
At quarter to II q man came down
the street and without looking about
him to see if he was watched was max"
Ing straight for the rear door when a
hand was laid on his shoulder. and
one in rough peasant garb covered him
with revolver. His captor led him
to short distance from the house. put
bin into a carriage and the two were
driven to the private Office of the chief |
Of police. As soon as they were alone
In the Office Scarof threw off his peas
ants costume and revealed his iden
dty.
"Valevitch" he exclaimed.
The other stood mute.
Il told my wife tonight that the hor
ror Of my career was never knowing
when we must arrest some one we
one dear to US. Put down
the bomb"
Valevitch, the brother Of the princess
placed the box on a table. Sergius ap-
it and put his ear to it.
"Oh, heavens" he exclaimed bitterly
1t is so. hear the click Of the clock:
work that Is to regulate the explosion
You, Valevitch, to lead your own Sister
% the scaffold!'
Valevitch stood meekly looking at the
prince with peculiar expressions; then
le went to the box, drew a sliding
over and took out clock Of antique
"What, the Ivan clOck-the clock of
he terrible car which have so long
lesired?''
Eyes. Marguerite has intended sur
rise for you.'
Scarof stood astounded great re-
lief spreading over his face Then he
ook out his watch
ELEVEN five," he said. III you hur-
y you'll not be far behind time. II
'ou tell Marguerite Of this I'll send
'ou to Siberia"
The next morning the prince at break
asst time, on seeing an antique clock on
he mantel, manifested the most de-
nonstrative surprise, and when told
hat it WAS q nrpSant to him from hia>l