The Red Cloud chief., 1905-02-18
CONVINCED
tOriginal.l

car standing with one hand on his
writing table, looking out of the win.
dow.
CZar-Oh, that l. might find some
drug to give me intervals of oblivion,
beset on every side, never knowing
when I go out but that a bomb may be
thrown into my carriage, and, II l re-
main in the palace, but that a glass OF
wine handed me by an attendant may
contain poison. Enter Count Dcmi-
doff) What, you here, Demidoff? ]
vas just thinking Of my isolated condi
ton. Were it not for you, good friend,
I would despair. Every day Il new
plot Is reported. Sometimes l fear I
shall go mad.
DemidOff-Calm yourself, your maj.
esty. there is not the reason for fear
that you suppose. Never has there
been less cause for inquietude.
Czar-Ah, Demidof, what n comfort
you are! And yet sometimes fancy
your affection for me leads you to COLI
ceal the dangers that threaten from me.
Have you any especial news for me
this morning?
Demidoff-None except that every
day l gather fresh assurances that all
near your majesty's person are devoted
to you, would die for you.
Czar-Thanks, Demidoff docking at
the clock. You may 60 now, my friend.
I am expecting some n l have an
other confiscated estate for you, one Of
the finest in Russia.
Demidoff kneels, kisses the cars
hand and withdraws. The cZar rings
and an attendant enters.
CZar-Has the Countess Maria
Nicholievna 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-Well?
Countess-By pretending to be a nj
hilist l won the confidence of the con.
spirators and I'm their trusted messen-
ger to II who Is managing the plot
here.
Garland who is that?
Countess-I would not dare make an
accusation without absolute proof Mt
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 it a 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 / will return
and hope to be able to convince your
majesty of the identity Of the person I
know to be guilty.
CARRIE it sc. You may withdraw.
Countess leaves the room. Car PAGES
back and forth, impatiently waiting
her return. Re-enter countess. Car
looks ut her inquiringly.
Countess-Thus far. your majesty, |
have been successful, but do not know
If the rest of my plan may not miscar,
~. l risk all on what l am doing
knowing well that it Is either my
downfall or that of the person l &C,
cuse. Will your majesty please send
for Count Demidoff.
Czar-Demidoff. Certainly. We will
need him, Of course.
Car 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 czai
looks at him wOnderingly.
Czar-COunt, are you i'll?
' COunt-Ill2 No, your majesty, only
Countess-Surprised to see me here.
Count (trembling)-I do not know the
lady.
Countess Ito the cZar)-Your majesty
this is the man who conducts the mat
ter of the Paris conspiracy in st. Pc
tersburg. The papers l brought I was
directed to give to him. Had I giver
them to your majesty or your chief OF
police we would not have been able L
convince your majesty that your mos
trusted friend was seeking your assas
sinatiOn. During the few minutes thai
I left you I went to the counts apart
ment In the palace, gave him the pa
pers, charging him to keep them OF
his person, as he valued his life. If III
has done as / told him not five minutes
ago, they will be found on him. II h,
has had time to get rid Of them, my
plan fails and ! must bear the conse
quences Of having accused one whit