The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1905-07-04
FEATS OF WOMEN SPIES.
How Secrets Of NihLists We're Made Known
to Russian Secret Police.
Fyo04 TT RIs

Russian history during the last twenty
or thirty years would not have been what
1t has been II there had been no Vera Sassu
Itch, OF whom nothing Is heard in these
days. When the famous Gen Trepon was
only at the beginning OF his career she wes
his invaluable assistant
TrepotY was the detested enemy Of thu
Nihlists, and he was very anxious to obtain
inside information as TO their doinEs and
their plans Suddenly. ono day In 1875,
he was fired at while driving through tbs
streets of st. Petersburg by no other than
Vera Saseulitch. She was at once seized by
the soldiery and was charged with the at
tempted murder OF Trepon. being tried in
the ordinary manner. but to the ama1ement
of the public she was acquitted.
On her release the Nihilists gathered about
her, desiring to admit such friend Of the
people 10 their closest acquaintance. In this
way she was admitted TO all their private
circles and was made acquainted with their
secrets. These she at oPoe communicated
to the Russian Government The Truth was
that tho whole business. including the at
tempt on his life, WAS faxed by Trepoh him
self, and 1t was simply q clever ruse to get
from the Nihilists what could not be got in
ANY other way. Thereafter Vera Ssssulitch
played the part of Government SPY on In
Vulnerable occasions.
There succeeded her a. the Cars chief
spy one Emma Bellomo. who became the
Countess della Tore. She was woman
Of great mental ability and boundless am
bition, and when her husband died she Of
fered her services Is special secret agent
to the Gar and soon became indispensable
to the Russian court. Whenever q docu-
ment had to be secured she secured it, and
she allowed nothing. not even life. to stand
In her way BY one remarkable and dramatic
coup early In her career she obtained the
unbounded confidence OF the Gar lnfor-
nation had been received by the Russian
secret police that plot against the monarch
was being Matched conjointly in Rome and
Paris. 1t was suspected that the plot was
to be carried out through the fundamentally
Of a high official Of the Cars household, but
all efforts to identify him failed.
Thereupon this woman spy was put on
the scent. and she at once went to Rome.
where she ingratated herself with the Nj
hilists. and at last found out the name she
wanted. She returned in haste to st. Peters
burg and informed the Gear of what she had
discovered. but he refused to believe her.
as the man named was one OF his closest
attendants and most intimate friends Then.
exclaimed the Countess. Il must prove IN
your Majesty that what tell YOU Is true.
In half an hour l must crave permission to
see you again.
When she left the Car she at once sought
out the officer IN question and handed over
to him a package Of papers. imprcssing upon
him that on no account must ne allow them
to leave his person. Keep them with you,
she said "On your noble person they nre
safe: in my hiding place they may he found
Her destinations were too much for the OIL
flcer and he agreed. She then returned n
the Car and at once said to him u beg
that your Majesty will now at once summon
this gentleman to your presence. and that
you observe closely the Counts department
and features when he sees me at your side
A few minutes later the officer entered IN"
apartment. and when he saw the Countess
with the Car he realized the state of affairs
and turned pale with terror
1T Is az l Informed your Majesty, satd
the Countess. If you will search him You
will find the proof" 1t was found in on" of
his riding boots. The Gar ordered that
he should be exiled to Siberia for life. hut
there was q general impression that he vas
murdered in his cell.