Evening journal., 1905-01-18

esty, there is not the reason for fear
that you suppose. Never has there
been less cause for inquietude.
Czar-Ah, Demidoff, what a comfort
you arel And yet sometimes 1 fancy
your affection for me leads you to con-
ceal the dangers that threaten from me.
Have you any especial news for me
this morning2
Demidoff-None except that every
day I gather fresh assurances that all
near your majesty's person are devoted
to you, would die for you.
Czar-Thanks. Demidon docking at
the clock). You may go now, my friend.
am expecting some one. l have an
other confscated estate for you, one Of
the finest in Russia.
Demldof kneels. kisses the cars
hand and withdraws. The car rings
and an attendant enters.
Czar-Has the Countess Maria
Nlcholievna arrived?
Attendant She is waiting your mai
esty's pleasure.
Czar--Admit her ENTER countess.)
Have you been to Paris?
Countess-I have just come from
there
Czar-Well7
Countess-By pretending to be a nj
hilist won the confidence Of the con-
spirators and am their trusted messen-
ger to one who is managing the plot
here
Garland who is that?
Countess-I would not dare make an
accusation without absolute proof at
hand. The cOnspirator stands too high
IN your majesty's confidence.
Czar-Do you not bear credentials,
instructions or something Of the kind.
addressed tO-is 1t man or woman?
Countess--I bear papers, but they are
addressed to no one.
Czar-Well, what do you propose to
do?
Countess-I ask your majesty's per-
mission to leave you for ten minutes.
at the end Of that time I will return
and hope to be able to convince your
majesty Of the identity Of the person
know to be guilty.
NAuA DC ~ oos AOQ may NlAnuldMs
Countess leaves the room. Gear PAGES
back and forth impatiently waiting
her return. Re-enter countess. Car
looks at her inquiringly.
Countess-Thus far, your majesty, I
have been successful, but do not know
if the rest Of my plan may not miscar-
! ry. l risk all on what 1 am doing,
knowing well that it is either my
downfall or that of the person l ac-
cuse. VIII your majesty please send
for Count Demidofr.
Czar-Demidoff Certainly. We will
need him, of course.
Gar rings and sends for Demidoff.
Meanwhile he PAGES the floor, the
countess standing silent, both waiting.
Enter Demidoff. Seeing the countess,
he starts and turns pale. The czar
looks at him wOnderlngly.
Czar-Count, are you ill7
Count-Ill? No, your ma esty, only
Countess-Surprised to Sc me here.
Count (trembling)-I do not know the
lady.
Countess (to the czar)-Your majesty,
this is the man who conducts the mat
ter of the Paris conspiracy in st. Pc
tersburg. The papers I brought was
directed to give to him. Had l given
them to your majesty or your chief Of
lpolice we would not have been able to
convince your majesty that your most
trusted friend was seeking your assas-
sination During the few minutes that
/ left you went 70 the counts apart
ment in the palace, gave him the pa
pers, charging him to keep them on
his person, as he valued his life. II he
has done as / told him not Eve minutes
ago, they will be found on him. If he
has had time to get rid Of them, my
plan fails and must bear the conse-
quences OF having accused one who
possesses to the highest degree your
majesty's confidence.
Count-Your majesty This is some
plot to drag me from the position 1
hold which enables me to protect you.
Czar-So believe, count
Countess - VIII your majesty be
pleased to have the count searched?
=. Count pleadingly)-You majesty,
MOuAA flA nuNlNNA AAAN " HnlA un AAluAa
nifty at the instigation Of 4 paid spy?
Czar-I would give you an opportu-
nifty to prove your innocence. CTaps a
bell and an attendant enters) Search
, him (polnting). The attendant search
es the count and finds the incriminat-
Ing papers in his boot. Czar takes
them and scans them eagerly, covers
his face with his hands. then turns to
Demidofr, "And you, too, Brutus?'
Demidoff, who has flung at the
countess one glance Of fierce hate,
hangs his head. Czar gives three taps
} on the bell, and members Of the secret
police enter.
Czar (pointing) - Take him away,
Demidoff is led away. The car turns
. to the countess) This is the most i'm.
portant work you have ever done for
me. AS a reward give you the Reich
loff estates that was to have bestow.
! ed upon the man you have exposed
, He will not need them in Siberia.
(Exeunt) MARY ALICE BOND.