The Glenwood post., 1905-10-07

! letter addressed to the countess. The
man departed, and the door was
again fastened Then Ivan spoke in
low. earnest tones: DO you think"
he said, that |, who have done so
much for the cause of Russia, could
! stoop so low as to bring here a
spy? Shame upon you, Oraminsky
You should have known me better;
YOU should have trusted me more"
Oraminsky was silent
Among the others there was an
ominous murmur. You should nave
told us-we knew nothing"
Ivan turned like flash in the di-
rection in which the voice came. Il
am a leader; you should have faith in
your leader. But enough. To-nights
work ends my connection with you
forever Henceforth l am no longer
member of the revolutionary body
to which you give allegiance'e
You must satisfy us that your
friend is not here to betray us. We
/ run no risks" said Oraminsky.
Il will answer for his honor He is
my friend-my brother"
Our brother too?" asked somebody,
/ with a sneer.
God forbid" said Alexis. Then
| turning 20 Ivan: Let us 60"
Watt" The voice was that of Or
aminsky; the word was given in a
tone of peremptory command "You
| cannot leave here until you have
sworn secrecy"
That is right" came the stimuli
taneous expressions of OraminslSy' S
followers.
Ivan spoke: "One moment, Hear
me. Colonel Nazimoff is here as my
friend. | am responsible for his ac-
| tions with my life. if need be. But
as he is here, | recognize that you
have a right to exact promise from
him that he will not reveal anything
of what he has seen tonight. You
will give that promise?" asked Ivan,
| turning TO Alexis.
Since you desire it-yes. l am a
soldier of Russia, owing allegiance to
our imperial master, the car"
There was murmur of dissent
Alexis continued: But / am no
spy, and while | know what you are,
it is not my business to betray you.
will not divulge what l have seen
tonight"
81 answer for his truth and honor a."
said Ivan.
And | too, if necessary" said nda.
moving toward the door.
1T is not enough-he must be
sworn!" The words came with omn-
Gus solemnity from the lips of Ora
minsky, and at signal from him two
or three of the conspirators placed
| themselves near the foot of the stairs
You have his word-he is a soldier
of Russia-he wears the uniform of
the fatherand-he need not be
sworn" said Ivan.
He wears the livery of the tyrant!"
said another.
Come" interrupted Ivan, giving his
arm to Olga, who stood pale and
trembling, throughout the scene.
Come, we have had enough of tlis!"
Then turning to Alexis, who had
thrown one arm protectingly around
Ida, he added: Come, we have fin
ished!"
Oraminsky stepped before Ivan.
But we have mott" he said. There
was an unmistakable menace in the
tone. You have brought strangers
here-here within a place sacred to
our cause, known only to ourselves.
We know them not All else here are
sworn members of our order-all else
here are of us, and with us. Your
friend-your brother, as you call him
has refused to take the oath of Sc.
crecy. Very WELL He must do more
than that; our safety demands it. He
must become member-a sworn
member of our brotherhood-and So
pointing to Olga, ''and so must She"
Never! by Heaven, never!" 1t was
the voice of Alexis. and it rang out
like the notes of a trumpet.
They must not leave here ahve.'
said Hersy. Let us have their
blood"
The word again wrought up the con.
spirators to frenzy.
Blood" and the word ran through
their ranks.
Stand together!" said Alexis, draw
ing his sword.
Ivan drew pistol Il will put a
bullet through the brain of the first
of you who advances single STEP
and he leveled the weapon.
There was pause, painful s
lence for second. The conspirators
were evidently collecting Their
strength and preparing for a rush.
Down with them ALL" shouted Or
aminsky as he gathered himself for a
spring.
Down with the traitors, all" and
the words rang out.
Ivan had the pistol leveled, finger
on trigger.
Alexis had his sword drawn
Suddenly there was tremendous
crash. The door burst open by q
blow from a sledge hammer, stood
quivering in splintered ruins on its
broken hinges. The wooden shutters
fell crashing from the windows into
the cellar below.