The Van Buren press., 1904-08-13
Inthe Service
of the Gar
By WALTER LAURENCE HAcEETT
Copyright, 1879, by the short Story Publishing Cor
pany. AL Righ ReserVsdJ

4
(Copyrsht 1872 BY the short Story Publishing COM
pany. All Bishts BeserysdJ
T HE room was dingy and but poorly
lighted Around the long table in
its center were gathered the conspiTators
the men who had sworn to kill the ear.
A 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-
thusiastic and wrapt expression OF
dreamers; others with the cold impas-
siyity Of great generals. One Of the last
mentioned, colder, more impassiye 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. Il 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
breathed little more quickly-that was
all. Pointing to a powder keg in cor
ner the president continued:
"Our materials are at hand; our oppOr-
tunity. also. The czar visits Krasnoe-
Selo Thursday"
The noise Of 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 a rifle.
you are my prisoners" said the ofl-
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
Crs.
"LGe 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
iefenseless 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 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
coldness. his impassiyenesa had disap-
peared; his face was yellow witty fear;
his teeth chattered; great drops of sweat
stood on his forehead.
'No-no-you must not shoot me- 4"
he shrieked; 81 am of yourselyes--I am
an agent OF the Third section. It was
| who informed against these men-if
you Kill me 1t will be murder-murder--
murder" He groyeled 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, doubtfuly, "You have your ere
dentIals?"
"Yes-yes," screamed the wretch,
tearing a piece Of paper from his pocket
and handing It to the officer 1T is there
it Is there All, my God!"
This last exclamation was one Of re-
newcd 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,