New-York tribune., 1918-12-22

Cant you see he's telling the truth
You needn't jump upon him so. He'll
surely tell you all he knows. But what he
knows isn't at all of any Importance. Sup
pose he is acquainted with Mrtov? And
with Larin? You know Larin, of course ?''
"Yes'
"Now what of it if he does know him?
And naturally you know Zarov, too?"
eyes"
"Nothing of the slightest Importance.
He's the proofrcadcr there and naturally
knows the contributors that come in AS
proofrcader he may know all of them.
That's part of his work. He may even
them occasionally get together They co
get together now and then, don't they? I
mean contributors and friends Of the
paper? A sort of meeting? Did you
take part in such meeting? OF course
you did. Naturally. Why not? You're the
proofreader, aren't you? Did you take part?
Other employees of the printing shop, too,
eh? The typcsctters, for instance? They
took part too, didn't they?"
Vlbushevitch could not say so, but nell
ther did he say yes. He was in great en-
barrassment. And they interpreted his cm-
barrassment correctly. The man with the
gray beard continued, softly and sweetly,
insinuatingly.
NATURALLY, they all took part
He's very weak. From his faint. It's very
difficult for him to speak word Poor
chap! Did strangers take part,
too? Total strangers, not connected with
the staff or the printing shop? Did thoy?"
Vlbushevitch turned red. The gentle
man with the gray beard smiled genially.
81 told you that it was unnecessary to
shout. He'll tell everything of his own ac-
cord. I'd advise that he be let alone now.
Let him have a good scep-get back his
strength. How pale he looks. Poor fellow!
Do you faint often? That's womans
failing. 1t doesn't become a young man.
Don't you think he can leave now, gentle
men? He hasn't anything more to tell us.
And, by the way, when did your last meet
ing in the office take place? 1t makes no
difference what was said there. But when
did they come together? This week? Lass
week? Two weeks ago? Simply answer
this and you may go. Just the last meet
ing-when did it take place."
Nlbushevitch felt as if he would swoon
again. They speaking of releasing
him, and it seemed that the old gentleman
really meant what he said He could not
decide whether to answer the questions or
not Two weeks before a meeting of the
staff and several men from the printing
shop had taken place, but were his
skin to be fayed he could not now recall
what had been discussed. But, then, the
officials did not care to know this.
At this point the third man interposed
"Ah. Let him CO.
"No!" rejoined he of the gray beard
"When? That is all we desire to know"
"Two weeks ago." answered Vilbushe-
witch.
"That would be-let's see, what is to-
day? Tuesday? SO then: two weeks ago, on
Tuesday?"
"No Thursday"
$50! Well, that's all. That's all. He
may go now, eh, gentlemcn?"
The officer began to curse. "For my part
let him go to the devil. I'd send fellow
like that to prison for life
The third man placed his hand sooth-
ingly upon the officer "It's all right Don't
get so angry. Mr.. Nilbushevtch may vet
prove to be one of our most highly valued
collaborators and assistants He has al
ready made an excellent beginning'
The blood rushed to Vilbushevitch's face
Soon he trembed even more, with alternate
fits of heat and cold, when the old gentle
man turned to him with his genial smle
"Really. Why not? It's all right. You'll
be in good company. Ha-ha-ha! He'll like
it first rate. And, moreover, whether
you like it or not, you're altogether help
less. You understand, of course that you've
already spoken. ~
He stressed the last word and looked
sharply at Vilbushevitch We already
know that two weeks ago Thursday meet
ing was held in the editors office. You
must have discussed there the matter of
simplited spelling. But we know that you
held meeting. Do you understand? There
was gathering. And you betrayed it to
us. AGAIN ne stressed the last words under
scoring them with his penetrating glance.
And since you've begun, you may as we'll
go further. To-day you spoke for nothing but
beginning with tomorrow you'll be paid.
Not very much. The government is poor.
Russia isn't America, and over there neonle
don't roll in money, either The President
himself gets mere nothing. Ha-ha-ha.
SO what do you say?"
Vilbushevtch was silent, pale exhausted,
without even the strength to think
"You're silent? That's bad" spoke the
old man. For insist upon a reply. And
III have you understand that Pm not
bit sleepy, and haven't tainted, either.
can SIT up with you all night if need be.
You'll have to give me an answer And
that answer Will have to be yes [ simply
refuse to take mo- from you Understand?
SO what do you say to my propostion?" ?"
"l'll consider it," Vibushevitch barely
whispered
The officer had already raised his hs5
ready to thump it down upon his desk
" hn,, L. 1