The Marion daily mirror. (Marion, Ohio) 1892-1912, 1908-01-29
Trapping 4 Spy.
[orieinal.l


In dimly lighted room on the top
most story Of a house In the outskirts
Of Moscow number Of revolutionists
were plotting the assassination Of tho
minister -of the interior when quick
footstep iwas heard on the staircase
below, ana h. moment later the door
was thrown sNPsssn and man man szs'tssdgly
1--WE have bsesen betrayed!' he said,
"rhe police Will be here directlywe :
"Who Is the traitorT' asked num-
ber OF voices at once.
II don't know, but do know that
he is one of us here present"
Every man blanched and looked at
every other man fierceiy, susplciously,
despalringly. Only the president main
tained his equnnimity.
"Korloff," he said to the man who
brought the Information, show do you
know this?''
Through one OF our spies in the
service OF the minister we intend to
put out of the way. We are to be ar
rested tonight ut o'clock. The trail
tor has Informed the minister that we
would be In session at that hour"
at is now quarter to- o." the presl-
dent suggested. looking at his watch.
1--WE have time TO get away"
"Not at ALL" said Korloff. ''There
has been secret watch kept oil 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 lie 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. di-
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 maps here for
! an emergency like this. Let the II
brarian get them out.
"There is another precaution to be
taken of great Importance. Arms will
not only avail us nothing, but will 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 o'clock the sound Of
footsteps came up from below. and ih
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 at him aston
ished. The police were not used to
making their descents In this way.
"What means this intruslOnT asked
| the president.
at means that the minister of the in
terror knowing Of your intentions. has
gent his own secret force here instead
of the police to annlhllate 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 tyrannyv exclaimed
the president.
The man. paying no attention to him.
called to those without. They entered
every man. like his commander in clti-
zen's dress and masked. They were
exactly the same number as the con-
spiratOrs. Their leader drew a revOlv-
er, cooked II and covered the presl
dent, while each of the others covered,
a conspirator.
Captain" cried one Of the doomed
men. "have you not been informed?"
Uniformed of WHAT"
e"AbOut me-"
"You? What about you"
~ am exempt" ~
"FOr what reasOn?"
1T Is ! who gave the minister tho
Information"
Every pistol was instantly lowered.
"That will do" said the president.
"You may unmask."
u The captain took or his mask and
was followed by the others. Every
one Of them was member Of the
circle.
Comrades" said the president. ~
was Informed that we had traitor
among us; but, despite the employment
Of our best men rs spies. could not
discover his identity. Finally hit
upon this plan OF forcing him to de-
clare himself. Our associate. Ivan
| Svinzhsky, by his own confession has
betrayed us. What il your pleasure