The Washington times., 1910-02-23
CHAPTER XIII (Cont'd.) }

Z fOl. Nd MN LneFe. he was seated
in n chair near one Of the great
windows through which the lately
risen sun was shining full upon
him; and the moment my eyes discOv-
cred him I started with horror, for 7
saw that he was dead. Instantly I
stepped back through the door, and told
the guard to call his captain, pointing
out the IifeIess form Of the prince, and
ordering him 10 tell nobody but his sU-
perior officer Of the fact Then I re-
entered the room and approached the
body Of my former friend. There was
a pistol beside him on the floor where il
had fallen from his nerveless grasp
after the fatal deed was performed, but
he reCliued as easily In the chair as
though he had dropped asleep naturally,
for a short nap instead of forever.
Poor Michael"' L murmured- Did
I drive You TO this2 Would that 1
had not spoken.
/ turned to glance around the room.
professional instinct getting the best
of me oven in that moment of sorrow,
and 1 quickly espiel a letter upon the
table. IL was addressed 20 his majesty,
the Emperor, and was tightly sealed, SO
I placed it in my pocket and started to
leave the room. At the door / met the
captain of the guard with two OF his
men. and them / instructed 10 keep
watch, but on no account 70 touch any
thing without mis- maJesty's permission
Then ] sought the Car.
'.WeI Derrington2'' he asked, as soon
as I was admitted 10 ms presence.
What Of the night2 Is the conspiracy
crushed, and have YOU been suCcessful2"
Entirely SO. NihIlism Is efTectually
crushed for many years 10 come My
work in St Petersburg is really done,
I think. At least 7 can assure you that
o. an assassin for a Yong time; until this
weed starts I'D anew.
I'VE are safe, then Thank God for
that" -,-.
are full TO OverflOwinE. I have sent
many of the less guilty ones over the
border with instructiOnos not to re-
turn for many years 10 come You
will miss a few races az court You
will be forced TO fill a few vacancies
in the army. The next caravan across
Siberia will be a larger one than the
last, and the population OF this city
will be depleted by nearly three thou
sand souls counting all that L have
enumerated
''This is glorious news TO awaken
to-glOrious, I cannot repay you the
debt I owe YOU. Darlington.
"NOw that you have heard the good
news. can YOU bear TO hear some that
| is not so good, monsieur
What, Is there bad news alsO?"
Necessarily, there must have been
@Ahi some one was killed? Some
yes. some one has killed him
! self"
"NO. He IS prisoner.
"Why keep me waiting? Tell me at
once"
| I am responsible for this death. Here
| is the letter he left. Read IL. I do
| not know what II contains only just
| now discovered the body"
| Michael He exclaimed as soon as
I he saw the handwriting. i made no
/ reply and he broke the seal and read
/ the last words Of his lifelong friend.
| Ny Friend
In death, qualities OF rank cease. hence
| I address you as have always felt to-
! was right: he told the truth, and I
/ lied am not now and have never been
| a nihilist in spirit, but il is true that
am one in fact. Joined them IN a
! moment of folly, to protect a friend
| whom / knew to be one. I have never
/ allied myself to them- and have never
| attended one meeting OF theirs. The
/ friend for whose sake ! Joined has been
| generous. and no demands have been
| made upOn me, nevertheless / am
/ guilty. Yet, believe me my friend, when
| with my last breatl, 7 assure you that
4 I have never harbored one disloyal
/ thought toward you or yours. and
! should unhesitatingly have betrayed the
! I
| circumstance inimical to YOU. But I
can live no longer under this disgrace,
| so I die. 7 beseech you let not the truth
| Of my dishonor be known abroad
! was unjust to Darlington, and I crave
his pardon. I loved him as a brother,
| and as brothers quarrel at times. so did
we He is faithful; trust him. May God
! lead you IN the right; may He preserve
your life and your empire, and may He
| have mercy upon me. MICHAEL.
Il Alexander was true TO his friendship
for Prince Michael. He mourned him
sincerely. and nobody ever knew the
true cause Of the princes death. The
Emperor respected that last wish OF his
dead friend There was yet more mis-
chief TO be done, however, by that arch
villain Durnief, for while we We're still
occupied with the care Of Prince Mich
aers remains. the Gar sent for me in
| haste.
This IS a day OF surprising mis-
sives," he said. Here IS another let
ter for you 10 read" ] took II in nv
hand and glanced at the signature.
! "Durnief.' / said. with a sneer
"Why should I read it2 The man
cannot tell the truth"
4 because I desire YOU to do So"
I The note began in the usual form OF