The Roswell daily record. [volume] (Roswell, N.M.) 1903-current, 1905-07-25
CONVINCED
rOrigina1.l


ear standing with one hand on his
writing table. looking out Of the win
dow.
Czar.Oh, tina 1 might find some
drug to give me intervals OF oblivion.
beset on every side, V knowing
when l 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 Coun Demt-
doff.) What, you here, Demidon7 l
was just thinking of my isolated condi-
ton. Were it not for you, good friend,
I would despair. Every day a new
plot is reported. Sometimes 1 fear 1
shall go mad.
Demidof-Calm yourself, your maj
esty, there is not he reason for ear
hat o suppose. Never has there
been less cause for inquietude.
Czar-Ah, Demidon. what a comfort
you are! And yet sometimes 1 fancy
your affection for me leads you to o
ceal the dangers that threaten from nj
Have you n especial news for me
this morning?
Demido6-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, Demidon Cooking at
the clock). You may go now my friend.
I am expecting some one. 1 have an
other contiscated estate for you, one Of
the finest in Russia.
Demidoff kneels, kisses the cars
hand and withdraws. The car rings
and an attendant enters.
Czar-Has the Countess Maria
Nicholievna arrived?
Attendant-She is waiting your maj
esty's pleasure.
Czar-Admit her. Enter countess.)
Have you been to Paris?
CountessEI have just come from
there.
Czar-Well?
Countess-By pretending to be a nj
hilist 1 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 c~onspirator lands too high
in your majesty's confidence.
CZar-Do you not bear credentials,
instructions or something of the kind
addressed to-is it man or woman?
Countess ear papers, but they are
addressed to no one.
Czar-Well, what do you o to
10?
Countess-I ask your majesty's per-
mission to leave you for ten minutes.
At the end of hat time 1 will return
and hope to De able to convince your
majesty of the identity of the person l
know to be guilty.
CZar-Be it so. o may withdraw.
Countess caves the room. Gear PAGES
back and forth, impatiently waiting
her return. Re-enter countess. Gear
looks at her inquiringly.
Countess-Thus far, your majesty, 1
have been successful. but do not know
II 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 hat of the person 1 ac-
cuse. VIII your majesty please send
for Count Demidoff.
Czar-Demidon. Certainly. We will
need him, of course.
ONoA AAAoo oA0 IN
Meanwhile he PAGES the floor, the
Enter Demidof. Seeing the countess,
he starts and turns pale. The car
looks at him wonderingly.
Czar-Count, are you i'll?
Count-Il? No, your majesty, only
Countess-Surprtsed 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 l was
directed to give to him Had l given
them to your majesty or your chief Of
police 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
I left you 1 went to the counts apart
menti in the palace, gave him h pa
pers, charging him to keep them on
his person, as he valued his life. II he
has done as 1 told him not FIVE minutes
ago they will be found on him. If he
has had time to get rid of them. my
plan fails and 1 must a the onse-
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 I
hold which enables me to protect you.
Czar-So I believe, count.
Countess VIII your majesty be
pleased to have the count searched?
Count (pleading1y)-Your majesty.
would o subject me to such an indig-
nifty at the instigation of a paid spy?
Czar-I would give you an opportu-
nifty to prove your innocence. (Taps a
bell and an attendant enters) Search
him (pointing). The attendant search
- the count and Anda the lncrininaf.