Forest City press. (Forest City, Potter County, D.T. [S.D.]) 1883-19??, 1912-02-01

The room was utnsy ana out poorly
lighted. Around the long table in its
the men who had sworn to kill the
car. A strange looking appearance
they made in the pickering candle
light: some with fierce faces marked
by the bitter lines of hunger and of
hate; some with h enthusiastic and
with the cold impassivity of great gem
erals. One of h last mentioned. cold
err, more impassive than the rest, sat
at the foot of the table. facing the
president. His manner showed not the
slightest nervousness, not the slightest
exhilaration. Yet in an hour he meant
to betray the men who sat about him
to the horrors of Il living death. on the
bleak plains of Siberia, gaining thereby
the lasting favor of his imperial mas
ter. The blow hat would ruin his
comrades would make him.
The clock struck eight as the presi-
dent rose to speak.
brothers." he began, brothers, we
have all sworn the same sacred vows,
we have all stood the severe tests OF
our Order-we can all be trusted. 1t
becomes my duty. therefore. to speak
out. Our days of plotting are passed.
the time for action has come. At last
erty."
He paused. but no one spoke. There
was not a sound in the room. Some
breathed a little more quickly-that
was all. Pointing to a powder key in
a corner the president continued:
Our materials are at hand; our OPP
Krasnoe-Selo Thursday"
The noise of a scuffle in the hall out
side the door Interrupted him. Several
of the men who sat about the table
sprang to their feet. the door burst
open, and an officer, followed by q
squad of soldiers. rushed into the
room. In an instant every n of the
conspirators was covered by a rifle.
you are my prisoners" said the Of
ficer. CURLY.
by what right?" exclaimed the
president. He alone seemed cool; the
rest stood as though paralyzed. 1g-
noring the president, h officer
glanced at the others.
Line up against the wall" he ord
cred.
Silently they obeyed him-powerless
to resist. The officer turned to his men
and gave II sharp order. The soldiers
raised their guns and aimed them at
the defenceless breasts of the prison.
ers.
Again the president spoke:
What do you mean to do?" he cried.
II execute you at once" returned
the officer, coldly. hen to the sold
iers. Take aim. FL"
Stop"
The cry rang out loud and clear in
the deadly stiffness of the room and
the spy sprang forward from where
he stood against the wall.
"Stop!" he cried.
Get back said the officer, sternly;
but the spy continued to advance. His
GOODNESS, his impassiveness, had dis
appeared; his a was yellow with
A---. a. H. -.-rA 2-~--.
OF sweat stood on his forehead:
"No-no-you u not shoot me-"
he shrieked, II am Of yourselves-I
am an agent Of the Third Section. 1t
was I who informed against these men
If you kill me It will be murder
the foor at the officers feet.
The doomed men looked at the mis-
cradle wretch with bitter contempt
While in the presidents eyes there was
something that looked like triumph.
"An agent Of the police" said the
officer. doubtfully. You have your
credentials !"
"Yes-yes." screamed the wretch.
tearing a piece Of paper from his
pocket and handing it to the officer, at
is there-it is there. All! my God!"
This last exclamation was one of
renewed terror. for the soldiers. drop
ping their rifles, had sprung upon
him, and We're binding him hand and
foot.
The president stepped forward. with
a smile.
brothers. said he. to the amazed
men, who still stood against the wall,
brothers, in a great cause. like ours,
we cannot be too careful. This little
scene was devised to discover what
traitors we had amongst us. 1t has
succeeded. You. Who have proved
faithful. are quite safe" i
The men looked at him as though
they could scarcely credit their SEN
ses; then one or two began to sob,
and n man laughed.
And this spy" he questioned.
A fierce murmur ran around the
room: he men. with one accord
started toward the corner, where the
mar lay bound.
Kill him-kill him!" they shouted.
The president raised his hand.
stop" cried he, "the man is mine,
mine to punish as 1 see fit. Leave him
Their N%assoloff," indicating the pseudo
officer. Ito a place Of refuge. From
u friends admission. we are no
longer safe here"
II have spoken" said the president,
sternly.
The conspirators turned and silently
laughed passed the spy and kicked
him in the face. and laughed again.
Then the president was alone with
the spy. He TODD looking at him for
q moment. a cruel smile on mis- white
bearded face. Presently he took from
his pocket a long fuse. placed one end
in the powder key. and wound the
an inch from the burning wick. Then
he placed the candle in front Of the