The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1908-02-15

Ioriginai.l

mOSt StVTy VI hvuSS 49, ehS -
Of Moscow number Of revolutionists
were plotting the assassination OF the
minister Of the interior when q quick
footstep was heard on the staircase
below, and moment later the door
was thrown open and a man excitedly
entered.
I'VE have been betrayedw he said
~The police win be here directyr'
"who is the traitorf" asked mum.
her Of voices at once.
II don't know, but do know that
be Is one OF us here present"
Every man hlanched and looked at
every other man iercely, suspiciously,
despairingly. Only the president main,
tained his equanimiy.
@Korloff," he said to the man who
brought the information, "how 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 at 8 o'clock. The trai-
tor has informed the minister that we
would be in session at that hour
'Tt is now quarter to g." the presi-
dent suggested. looking at his watch.
I'VE have time to get away"
mot at ALL" said Korlof. There
has been 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, 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. l
have kept geographical maps here for
an emergency like this. Let the IL
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 u.s. Give your weapons to Korloff,
who will take them away and throw
them down a 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 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 at him aston
ished. The police were not used to
making their descents in this way.
''What means this intrusionT asked
the president
'It 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 viii 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 a spot where
they will be buried"
4This 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 a revolv-
er, cooked it and covered the presi-
dent, while each of the others covered
a consplrator.
Captain" cried one of the doomed
men, "have you not been informed"
Uniformed Of whatr'
about me-"
"You? What about you"
II am exempt"
"For what reason"
'It is | who gave the minister the
information.
Every pistol was instantly lowered.
"That will do," said the president
"You may unmask."
The captain took of his mask and
was followed by the others. Every
one of them was a member of the
circle.
Comrades" said the president, ~
was Informed that we had traitor
among US; but, despite the employment
Of our best men as spies, l could not
discover his identity. Finally I hit
upon this plan of forcing him to de-
clare himself. Our associate, Ivan
Sviazhsky, by his own confession has
betrayed us. What is your pleasure
concerning himY
"Mr. President" interposed Sviazh-