The Rathdrum tribune. (Rathdrum, Idaho) 1903-1963, 1904-06-17
A SURPRISE
IOriginal.l

husband admired her vigor OF brain
brt was not sure that it was leading
her in safe channels. However, the twt
were very happy together, ard fortune
smiled on them.
One day Scarof received terrible
shock. Among number of intercepted
letters that had fallen into the hands
of the police ana were laid before hin
was one written hy his wife. IT read:
Bring it to the rear door at IL o'cloci
tonight--that is. II the emperor's trip hal
been begun rs announced on that day.
the trip Is postponed act accordingly.
Scaroff was unnervCd. 1t was plair
that his own wife WAS in league witt
nihilists to assassinate the ear. After
awhile he tapped a silver bell on his
desk. An attendant entered, and tht
chief directed him to pass the inter
cepted letter Then he ordered his car
riage and drove to the Winter palace.
Your majesty" he said rs soon cs
admitted to the emperor, II beg the,
you will excuse me from attending you
this evening"
why SO, princeT
"My spies have intercepted a letter
indicating that bomb is to be dclv-
cred to certain person at II 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. consider it too important u
matter to leave to any one else"
"As you think best, prince"
Scaroff returned to his house ut 4
o'clock, threw some things into his
valise and bid his wife goodby. She
had known that he was to accompany
the czar-it was his custom to do so
whenever his master journcved-an0
there was no surprise.
'Thc trip not being put off, pre-
sumo there is no suspicion of danger"
remarked the princess.
"Nonc whatever"
Without looking ut his wife he start
cd to 60 He had reached the uoor
when he heard her call him:
"Sergus."'
He turned. She was looking ut him
reproachfuly.
"You have forgotten
pardon me. dear My mind is pre-
occupied. These nihilsts who are con-
stantly conspiring against the life Of
the car keep me always thinking"
He returned and kissed her.
''IIow cold your lips are" she said.
Something is wrong. A blow is sure
to fall somewhere before morning.
Some person or persons will so to the
scaffold. ! wish you were engaged in
another occupation"
THE chief horror of it Ia that VIC
officers of the police never know when
!t will be our duty to turn over to the
cXccutioncr 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. Wei might
his wife call his lips cold. 1t was Il
wonder that he could control himself
as well rs he did. since he was going
to watch for Il bomb to be delivered TO
his own Wife. Starting in the direction
of the railway station. he soon gave
lis coachman orders to turn and drive
TO his private Office. which was scpa-
rate from that in the headquarters of
police. There he dismissed his car
riage, telling his coachman that nc
would go to the station later and on
foot. Entering his office. he remained
there till the clock struck 10. then
emerged disguised MS IL peasant. anG
his steps to his own house
Taking position near Ivy where lie
would be unobseryed. he waited and
watched.
At quarter to II man came down
The street and without booking abort
him to SEQ if he was watched was max
Ing straight for the rear door when Il
hand was laid on his shoulder, and
one in rough peasant garb covered him
With a revolver. HIS captor led him
to short distance from the house. put
PIN into carriage and the two were
iriv"n to the private Office of the chief |
'f police. AS soon as they were alone |
IN the office Scaroff threw off his peas.
,nts costume and revealed his idcn.
'ity.
'Nafevitch!' he exclaimed.
The other stood mute.
Il told my wife tonight that the hor.
'or OF my career was never knowing
when We must arrest some one we
inow-somc one dear to us. Put down
he bomb
'alevitch, the brother of the princess,
'laced the box on a table. Snrgius M.
Preached it and put his ear to it.
"oh. heavens" he exclaimcd bitterly
1T is so. hear the click OF the clock
work that is to regulate the explosion
lou, Saleyitch, to lead your own sister
o the sea ffold!'
saicvitch stood meckly looking at the
'rince with peculiar expression; then
'e went to the box, drew sliding
over and took out a clock of antique
What. the Ivan clock-the clock of
he terrible car which have so long
esired?'
Yes. Marguerite has intended a sur.
rise for you"
ScarOH stood DStoupflotl q cront ~