The Grit-advocate., 1905-11-03

5 D A Rk 2 T RU S STA
II L
! Copyright 1895 by Street Smith All right. reserved. {
S~a~>~enr~-ytr~~<or~~

u,
Alexis Nazimoff'"
Alexis Nazimof." was repeated by
all in the room-all save Ivan and
Ida.
With cry of bitterest anguish
from his breaking heart Count Nazi-
moff staggered to his feet For a mo-
ment he vainly essayed to speak. but
his tongue refused to utter a sound
''Oh. my father" The cry was
wrung from the surcharged heart of
| Alexis as he stretched out his shack
led hands.
| Paul Nazimoff, weak and trembling.
found his voice at last. Alexis, my
son. my boy" he cried in anguished
tones. what does this mean? Oh. my
God. my Cod"
He pressed his hands first to his
heart. then to his throbbing brain.
Father said Alexis.
Speak, speak out. Oh. God, speak
out" cried the stricken count You.
| you. my boy here-here-charge
with crime-wth plotting the assas-
sination of your sovereign. Speak,
| Alexis; say that it is false, Don't
you see my heart is breaking?"
Il swear to you. father, it is rot
true. am innocent
you hear faltered Count Nazi-
moff, looking wildly around. You
| hear-hc is"
He is guilty whoever he may be-"
spoke up the officer in command for
myself found concealed on his per
son, in his cigar case this sign-the
sign of the assassin chosen to kill"
He held up his hand,
| The Red Rouble,
My God,' Paul Nazimoff fell
| back and buried his face in his hands.
The clock showed that it wanted
| but minute of the hour
Quick" said Katherine, rushing to
| her husbands side. You have am
| pie proof Of his guilt. Sentence him
to Siberia-it will bring him and Olga
| together
karscheff sat stunned,
The terrible disclosure of Alexis
| identity had shaken him.
Quick" urged Katherine, "it is
| your last chance."
The iron will and relentless pur-
| pose of his wife swayed Karscheff
now as they had often swayed him
before. 1t nerved him to deed that.
| left alone. he would never have
| dared.
| Alexis Nazimoff.' he said. there
can be no doubt of your guilt with
this damning evidence of your unholy
purpose found in your possession.
You have forfeited your life, but my
last act shall be merciful. spare
your life. | sentence you to twenty
| years in the mines of Siberia"
Karsicheff rose from his desk The
clock began striking twelve, and as
the strokes rang out they fell like a
knel on the ears of nearly all pres
ert Turning to Paul, Count Nazi-
moff, karsicheff. taking bunch of
keys from his pocket. said, My work
is finished. Count Nazimoff, to you
! resign my seal, my keys. my pow
ers. ! have done my duty to the end
the rest is yours"
Radaloff approached Count Nazi-
moff-Count NaZimoff. the new min
lister of police-and as he passed the
countess he gave her one look that
repaid all the insult she had heaped
upon him less than an hour before
What is your excellency's command
regarding the other prisoners" he
asked saluting Count NaZImoff.
There is one more to be disposed of.
She says she is the wife of that man" :"
and he poi:.ted to Ivan.
Katherine caught the word His
wife! Ida's brothers wife. She too
must suffer. None of them must
escape.
Count NaZimoff.'' she said, my
husband laid down his work while
engaged in melting out justice TO this
gang of assassins. There is one moro
that mans wife. She too should b..
| punished here and now"
| Paul. Count Nazimoff. looked up
| slowly. He had aged ten years in
! less than two minutes.
/ Not now" he said family: mot
now. We have had enough Of
Of" He could say no more.
Katherine spoke again.
| IL Ill becomes lne minister or his
sovereign to show his weakness at
such a time as this" she exclaimed.
MY husband, at the expense of his
feelings, nerved himself to do his
duty-nOw do yours. Russia needs an
example now"
Almost involuntarily Count Nazi-
moff raised his hand 1t was to beg
| Katherine to be silent.
Radaloff saw the motion and inter,
preted it to mean that he should pro-
duce the prisoner.
In another moment he had left the
room and a second later re-entered it
with heavily draped figure clinging
to his arms. He had to support her
or she would have fallen.
| Katherine DOinted to the tremblinp q