The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1911-10-31
Immediately a great change came
over every one present.

UNCI every OHc I)feScut-
Enough exclaimed the president.
"Our ruse has been successful" Look.
ing at his watch he added. I'VE still
have an hour to get away. and before
we go it behooves us to make way
with the traitor Then addressing
me: "Vronsky. who has been pretend
Ing to be government spy. learned
this morning that some one of our
number had betrayed us. and we were
to be arrested tonight at half past II
O'clock. Since he did not learn the
name of the informer we adopted a
ruse to discover him This man who
has made the arrest is Schierlieff, one
Of our number. and those In the hall
are other members Of our circle"
Schierlieff pulled of false beard,
and recognized him at once
Comrades" continued the president,
1T is necessary to put the traitor out
Of the way at once. for we must leave
this place within very short time.
We will draw lots as to which one of
us shall stab him to the heart. a
method of execution that will be with
out noise and attract no attention"
But one person could interpose be
tween me and death-that was Orloff
Why he was not at the meeting knew
not had charged him to be there.
but had not told him why 1t was es-
sential. hurriedly told the circle ev-
cry circumstance that had led me into
my present position. but not one of
them believed word l said.
IF this Is true" cried one of them.
you are at least a fool not to have
made some arrangement by which you
could prove your case. And fool
among US is as much to be feared as
traitor"
'Orloff's my confederate" | said,
"and he is not here Send for him."
I'VE have not time. Before he could
reach US the hounds you have set upon
US would be here"
"Come." said the president. prepare
the lots"
The secretary hurriedly scratched
the name of every man present on
separate piece of paper. and they were
placed in a hat Then | was required
to draw the name of my executioner
put my hand In automatically, for
1t seemed that the currents Of my feel
ings neutralized one another. and drew
out one Of the slips The president
seized it and read out name. but
was too overcome to hear what 1t was
l saw my executioner take off his coat
and roll up his shirt sleeves. Then
one of the circle handed him a long
dagger. J was seized by two others.
led to one end of the room and turned
about saw as If in a haze my ex
ecutioner standing at the other end
looking pale and sick at heart at the
work he was about to do Then. at
word from the president. he advanced
toward me
There was a sound of footsteps with
out. the door was opened and Michael
Orlotf stroled In .eisurely Seeing me
standing where | was and one of the
circle advancing toward me holding
knife in his hand while the others
looked on. some vengeful. others
shrinkingly. Orlon's face took on an
expression Of surprise
"Orloff." ! cried. ''save mer'
''Hold!" said the president to the ex
ecutioner. Then to Orloff. Are you
depository for secret concerning this
manY'
YES"
"What is it?''
"Shall teIl?' Orloff asked of me.
"For heavens sake. yes. tell ALL"
HE has been pretending to play the
part of informer for the government
His heart is really with u.s."
Can you prove that he has really
been acting for us?'
"Yes."
"How?"
by documents he has left in my pos
session"
Very well Let us go at once With
in twenty minutes our retreat will
have been cut off"
We left the apartment at once. but
was kept in the center of the others
and carefully guarded until it beca me
possible TO examine the documents
that | had left with Orloff. after which
was exonerated from the charge OF
being spy. But never again at
tempted to play double part.