Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1912-05-28

WHAT Is IT, PETER p ASKED VERA
ing. Indeed, you will have gained. I
have never trusted Peter Orsky and
have warned you against him."
Vera covered her face with her
hands and moaned.
HE is a government spy Anna
went on. who was deputed to make
your acquaintance. you being a sus-
pect, and he succeeded in his project
by winning your heart Heaven grant
that you have not furnished him with
written proofs that he may use against
you"
Vera by this time had mastered her
self and reminded her friend that she
had kept the oath she had taken not
to reveal to any one the secrets of her
circle.
Peter must have known that she
was a revolutionist, but he had no
documentary evidence of the fact 1t
was doubtless the purpose of the po
lice. acting on his suggestion. to sur
prise her and secure that evidence,
not that the police cared for evidence
against a suspect, since they could
send any one to Siberia they chose.
but their secret service system was so
intricate that they were never sure
who of their spies was workings. In
their interest and who was working
against them.
Anna had not been able to give her
friend more than twenty minutes to
prepare for the raid. Indeed, she had
run so fast and had mounted the stairs
so hastily that she was out of breath
when she arrived. Soon after Vera's
assurance that she had divulged moth
ing to Orsky footsteps were heard be-
low, and q few moments later were
coming up the stairs. Then Vera sud
denly turned pale. at the same mo-
ment clapping her hand to a pocket in
the skirt of her dress. She had no
time to tell her friend the cause of her
fright, but Anna inferred that she had
forgotten something discriminating she
had In this pocket.
In another moment the door was
thrown open and Peter Orsky. follow
ed by half dozen policemen entered
The rapdlty with which Vera had re-
gained her GOODNESS was remarkable
She felt herself able to play any part
and was determined TO gain some ad-
vantage by convincing her lover that
she still trusted him. She looked at
him inquiringly when he entered with
the police behind him, as If she did
not understand what Il meant. His
own face was unintelllgable. He seem
ed TO be doing his duty as a machine
merciless and inexorable.
what is II. Peter?' asked Vera.
make thorough search of the
ROOM" said Orsky to his men without
any reply to the girl to whom he had
been making love for month.
Last to enter the room was a woman
who had not been able 10 keep up with
the men. and it was evident she had
been brought for the purpose Of max
ing personal search.
Wait" said Orsky to her. It'll we
| have finished our work Then we will
give you the room for yours"
The woman seated herself, and the
men began TO rummage
that you were IN the government
service. Being there, I don't blame
you for this work. You are simply do
ing your duty. When you have proved
that you are mistaken, that / am a
loyal subject Of the car, shall respect
you for the sacrifice you are making In
| this distasteful work"
Orsky gave her a cold glance without
reply, showing no effect whatever
from the words she had uttered. In.
deed. he directed the search himself
now and again reproving the searchers
for a want Of thoroughness IN the
| work.
He seemed more Ike a man of stone
than one Of flesh and blood.
Anna, as soon as the raiders came in
asked if she might leave. but was told