The weekly register. [volume] (Point Pleasant, Va. [W. Va.]) 1862-1909, 1907-05-22
Paul )bIOnsky's Ruse.
[originaLl


liberty, left the stage and became a
writer in behalf of the car.
While 0blonsky was publishing his
pamphlets, which were all emtnently
satisfactory to the government, he was
engaged in disseminating literature of
an entirely different kind. He made
journeys from his home to different
points to organize, advise and encour-
age different secret societies that rep
resented the most radical element of
the revolution OF course the day
came when he was reported to the po-
lice as suspect, but so wary had he
been that the chief would not believe
he was revolutionist.
One day a telegram came to the po-
lice at st. Petersburg that meeting of
revolutlonlsts had been broken up at
Moscow and man resembling Paul
0blonsky had got away. The chief
sent at once to Oblonsky's house to
discover If he was at home. The man
who went on the errand knew Oblon-
sky by sight and as he approached the
house saw him sitting at an upper
window. He returned and reported
the fact TO his superior.
Not long after this spy of the gov
eminent in Warsaw reported that OBJ
lonsky was one of band of conspira-
tors, of which he (the spy was also a
member. Still doubling the truth OF
Information duplicating a man who
had defended the government, the
chief sent the same messenger he had
used before to Oblonsky's house. On
the way the messenger met Oblonsky
iii carriage driving with his sister.
The chief was puzzled. Those who
use spies are never certain but that
they are spies of the enemy. However,
he telegraphed orders that If at any
time 0blonsky was seen In Warsaw
the occurrence be at once reported. In
q few days a telegram came announc-
ing that 0blonsky had been seen enter
ing that city from the suburbs in a
drosly. The informant was not in the
pay of the government; therefore OBJ
lonsky was not followed. The chief
sent one of his best men at once to
Oblonsky's house. directing him to
make sure whether or no Oblonsky
was there. He was TO go In and speak
with him. Oblonsky had been seen en-
tering Warsaw an hour before the re-
ceipt of the telegram. he surely would
not have had time to return before
the official could get to his house. As
the messenger approached he looked
up at the window where Oblonsky was
accustomed to read or write, but he
was not there Entering the house,
he found Oblonsky's old mother.
Il have called" he said, "to get
copy of your sons last political pam
phlet for the chief of police. 1t is re,
ported that there are in it some fea-
lures Objectionable to the government"
Indeed" said the old lady, 81 will
call my son, who will hand you one
himself" Thereupon she went up
stairs. and who should come down but
0blonsky himself. with the pamphlet
in his hand. The official wished him
good day, took the pamphlet and re-
turned to the chief. Immediately an
order was sent to Warsaw to send the
person who had seen Oblonsky enter
ing the city to St Petersburg. A man
arrived the next day who declared that
he knew Oblonsky we'll, and he had
certainly seen him as he had reported.
The chief sent for Oblonsky ostensibly
to discuss the Objectionable passage in
his pamphlet, but really to subject him
TO the view of the informcr from Mos
COW. The informer at once declared
that 0blonsky was the man he had
seen in the drosky entering Warsaw.
The chief was now satisfe that
there had been a mistake. He gave or
ders for the secret police to watch
those who had reported against OBJ
ionsky. thinking that they might be
revolutionists endeavoring to get rid
of friend of the government.
One morning an official occupying
high position in the government was
found murdered in his office. Among
those reported to have left the office |
shortly before the finding of the body |
was Oblonsky. For the first time the
chief began to believe that Oblonsky |
was revolutionst, and if so he must |
be one OF the most adroit as we'll as |
most dangerous of the lot. The chief |
did not order Obl9nsky's arrest, but |
surrounded his house with spies. They |
reported that every morning and after
noon Oblonsky sat Mt his window writ
ing. But when they reported that with
the most careful watching they could
not detect the slightest movement the
chief sent an official to arrest him.
The official found the suspected
mans mother and sister. who declared
that Oblonsky was in his room writing
nm Important article in defense of the
government and had given orders that
he was not TO be interrupted. The Off
cial brushed past them and went up
stairs to the room. There sat Oblonsky.
but not whit startled ut the Interrupt
ton. for he did not even look up He
was a dummy. the exact image of OBJ
lCrsky. Oblonsky had left St Peters
burg the morning of the assassination
and was now being smuggled across
the frontier
The moment the official saw the dunn
my lie remembered having seen OBJ
lonsky on the mimic stage in a play
wherein it was necessary to make him
appear there while absent changing
his costume For this purpose a lay
figure had been constructed so nearly
like the actor that the closest scrutiny
from the audience coull moi detect the
fraud. The figure had represented the
revolutionist at his window except on
the occasion of his having been seen
driving both in st. Petersburg and
Warsaw. His sister had taken it to
Warsaw for the purpose OF misleading
the police
T. EUGENE DRAPER.