Union County courier. [volume] (Elk Point, Union County, D.T. [S.D.]) 187?-1913, 1908-03-26
Trapping a Spy.
foriginal.l

\
Of Moscow d number of revolutionists
were plotting the assassination OF the
minister OF the interior when a quick
fooistep was heard ON the staircase
below. and q moment later the door
was thrown open and man excitedly
entered.
We have been betrayed he said
1.-The police will be here directlyr'
who III the traitorY' asked num-
her ~ .ais.es at once.
i t.on't know. but | do know that
q one of ns here present"
iMan blanched and looked at
yfi,eg man fiercely, suspiciously,
.5gly. Oaly the president main
s eananimity.
1i lie said to the man who
lt the information, how do You
4as. fsss.''
foggl one of our spies In the
efv.re OF lie minister we intend to
pGt ont Of fsse way. We are to be ar
rested tonight ut o o'clock. The trail
tor has informed the minister that~we
would be In session at that hour
1T Is now quarter to o." the presi-
dent suggested. looking ait his watch.
I'VE have time to get away"
Not at ALL" said Korloff. There
has been Il secret watch kept all the
evening
"Then We are surely lost
There seemed nothing to do but
await their doom. Presently the pres
ident said:
"Our only hope Is In submitting
peacefully to arrest and afterward en-
deavoring to throw suspicion on the In
former Since he is one of our number
we can accuse him with fair show
Of being able to prove him guilty. AS
your leader, with full power to execute
any plan may determine upon. oil
rect that we remain in our seats, with
the door unlocked When the force ar
rives we will pretend surprise, declar
ing that we are society for the study
of geography. Indeed, as you know,
have kept geographical rnaps here for
an emergency like this. Let the IL
brarian get them out.
There LIS another precaution to be
taken Of great Importance. Arms will
not only avail us nothing, but win be-
tray us. Give your weapons to Korloff.
who will take them away and throw
them down secret shaft provided for
the purpose of getting rid of incriminat-
ing documents.
The members, who were sworn to
obey their president all gave up their
arms. and the librarian brought out the
books. The table around which they
sat was strewed with rough sketches
of partially explored countries-every-
thing made to look as scholarly as pos
sible
Shortly before 8 o'clock the sound of
footsteps came up from below, and in
another minute the door was pushed
open and single man entered, while
others remained in the hall. The man
who came in was in ordinary apparel
and masked. All looked Mt him aston
ished. The police were not used to
making their descents in this way.
What means this intrusion?'' asked
the president.
III means that the minister of the in
terror. knowing of your intentions, has
sent his own secret force here instead
OF the police to annihilate this assem-
bly,. You will all disappear without the
slightest commotion. Tomorrow Mos
cow will not know that you are dead
have men in the hall to execute you
and lower your bodies into the court.
from whence they will be carried In
barrels as merchandise to spot where
they will be buried"
This is indeed tyranny exclaimed
the president.
The man, paying no attention to him,
called to those without. They entered,
every man, like his commander. in citi-
zen's dress and masked. They were
exactly the same number as the con-
spirators. Their leader drew revolv-
er, cooked It and covered the presi-
dent while each Of the others covered
conspirator
'Captain,' cried one Of the doomed
men. shave Won not been informedY'
Informed Of what?"
bout me. !"
'Youg What about you r
~ am exempt 4
For what reason?'
III y who gave the minister the
information. 4
Every pistol was instantly lowered.
THAT viii do said the president.
You may unmask. z
The captain took on his mask and
vas followed ~ the others. Every
one 81 them Was ! member Of the
circle.
Comrsdes,v ssid the president, q
Fas informed that We had i traitor
among ~; hut despite the employment
q our hest men ~ sptss. could NOT
discover hts identity Finally hit
apon this plAn 81 forcing him to d.
clare himself Our associate, Ivan
6yiexh by his own confession has
betrayed "a What u your pleasure
concerning him "
PRESIDENT intefposed Syiazh-
~ have heen 1 spy. admit. hut
not y 11ittQz I'M member OK the