Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1906-04-14
A SINGULAR BET
BY AMrdIELL

ersburg, the one the Grand Duke
Nicholas, the other Captain Dmitre
Warascof OF the Russian army. The
grand duke was sitting behind an
ebony desk; the captain was stand
Ing before him.
Your treachery is an unpardon-
able SIM" said Nicholas. II have
advanced your interests by attach
Ing you to the Cars stan, thus
opening to you a career. You have
repaid me by diabolical conspiracy
against the majesty's life"
Il have notl" exclaimed the cap
tain, Indignantly.
II have the proof"
Let me see IT,"
The grand duke held before the
young man a letter written In the
captains handwriting and signed by
him. The accused man started back,
a sudden pallor overspreading his
face.
Ali" said Nicholas, icily. When
confronted with evidence, your as
surance deserts you"
L utNGI WIOtS that lSlttl.
1T is In your handwriting
So nearly like 1t that could not
tell 1t from mine. Nevertheless 1t Is
a forgery"
what do you mean?"
II suspect certain men, certain
man especially. owing to an acci-
dental discovery l recently made of
an attempt not on the life of the
Gar. but on yours. II may be that.
thinking | would inform upon them,
they have determined to forestall my
Information.
"One of them Is my friend. II !
accused him, 1t might be wrongfully.
I would rather go to Siberia than
harm him II he is innocent"
You will go to Siberia II you do
not give me his name"
Then will go to Siberia"
The door opened, and young
man named Pertof entered.
How fortunate" exclaimed the
newcomer, ito find you two to-
gether! l have heard that Warascoff
Is In trouble, and | came to say to
your imperial highness that any ac-
cusations against him are absurd"
1.-THE capital is full of plotting"
he said. II believe no accusations,
for | am as likely to be accused as
your mind, Nicholas. We three are
intimate friends. None of us knows
how soon he may fall victim to In
trigue. Therefore let us not worry,
but enjoy what of life remains to us.
Bring out some Of that wine | tasted
when we were last together and let
us make merry"
LET us drink to Russian life
short, but merry"
Pertof emptied bis glass; the
grand duke slipped hts; Captain
Warascoff left his untouched.
Whats the matter, Dmitri?"
cried Pertof. isn't his highness'
wine good enuogh for youe"
II cannot drink under accusation"
You're squeamish. man. Who
ever troubles himself at being sus-
pected or even accused in these days
IL In danger of nervous collapse. I'll
make you a bet of one hundred
rubles even that within thirty days
will be accused of some conspiracy.
I'll make another bet of one hundred
to one thousand rubles that within
sixty days I 90 to Siberia and third
bet Of one hundred to ten thousand
rubles that I am executed"
''You are trifing with serious mat
ters," said Nicholas. uneasily.
II viii take that bet." said Waras-
coli, with q singular look in his eyes.
Done" said Pertof. taking his
hand. The grand duke looked at
both men as II he thought they had
taken leave of their senses.
Psrtof took cigar case from his
pocket and was about to strike a
match when. recollecting himself. he
handed the case to the grand duke.
Nicholas took a cigar from the
case. struck q match and lighted It.
He had taken but q few whifYs when
Dmitri Warascof made leap for
him. snatched the cigar from HIS lips
and. raising a window sash. threw 1t
out. Nicholas looked at him angrily
for the apparent insult In a few
seconds an explosion was heard In
the court below. All stood mute for
awhile Then Warascof, pointing at
Pertof, said.-
There is the man. your highness,
who forged that letter. l overheard
him speaking with some suspicious
persons upon the subject OF an ex-
plosive cigar
Pertof was tried and executed for
the attempted murder OF the Grand
Duke Nicholas. The day after the
execution the widow received an
anonymous letter containing ten
thousand rubles. II was In payment
OF the wager made between Waras-
con and Pertof. The bet was made
by Pertof because he had determined
to sacrifice his life TO the nihilist
cause. and accepted by Warascoff be-
cause he had loved the girl Pertof
had married. Five years later he
married his old love.