New-York tribune., 1918-12-22
The Man Who Was Not E2k7zaa

"None of your tricks, my boy. IF you
make one more attempt III take you direct
ly to the Ochranka, and you'll never
leave It,"
Vilbushevitch wanted TO shout, but he
could not find his voice He sank back into
his seat, exhausted, lost, beaten, ready to
faint TO have fallen so easily into the
trapl lie had not wished to take the
stranger into his room, and-had entered
droshle with him Such a fool
They drove to a certain house in dis
tant side street. Several men approached
the droshke and scrutnized Vilbushevitch
fom head to foot. One of them, with
mocking bow, helped him out of the car
riage. Slapped Of all will power, in his
great distraction, Vilbushcvtch entered the
door, which was opened for him by the
stranger with the goatee. He found him
self IN large, scantily furnished room.
A. table, several chairs, bed. On the walls
were pictures of the royal family of Ras-
putin and of Tscheglovitov The double
windows looked out upon the street. Viii
bushevitch could see every passerby and
could easily believe that every passerby
saw him. He took his stand near the door,
windows.
lie Of the goatee indicated chair close
to one of the windows and fairly sat Vii
bushevitch down upon it, half facing the
street Vibushevitch was able only to
lower his head and turn from the direction
Of the street, as not to be seen from
without
The stranger began to walk around him,
stroking his pointed beard, laughing in a
subdued manner, not for moment remov-
ing his penetrating glance, as if he wished
to hypnotic his victim And he spoke and
spoke
well? Why so lost? I want you to
understand that we're treating you very
handsomely, indeed. Ordinarily we deal
quite differently with folks You under
stand that yourself. What kind of manners
do you call this? You promised to con-
slider our proposition. It's high time you
came to decision, We don't at all like to
be played with And you must understand,
TOO, that there WAS nothing for you to con-
slder You know that we count you as one
of our own. Then you must do your work.
What trickery are you up to? Get on the
job. We don't give any instructions, nor
do we impose any duties And the work is
mere trife, bagatelle. All you need to
do is tell us what you know-that's all"
1t seemed to Vilbushevitch that an ugly
spider had appeared before him and had
spread out its web, and it brought shud-
der to him. He was scarcely able to speak.
and despair echoed in his voice.
What do you want of me? Why have
you singled me out?"
Ihe unknown laughed dryly and of sud
den glared at Vilbushevich with hatred in
his eyes.
care you looking for two years sem
tence to Narim? Do you want perbaps. to
visit first the cold regions of North Siber;aq
We can make it hot or cold for you, lust as
you please"
Vilbushevitch's heart sank within him.
He was ready to swoon
The unknown changed his tone. "Calm
yourself, my boy, calm yourself. Just think
1T over And by the way, do you happen to
know Danilevitch?"
Vibushevtch scarcely managed to sob.
"No."
"Never saw him?
mo-"
And you've never seen Blotman, either?
A short Jew, with glasses, sort of red faced.
with freckles-never seen him ?"
"No."
1t seemed that the stranger would never
tire of reciting peoples names, describing
their appearance and specifying their bust
ness. In soft, good natured voice. but
often with keen, restrained anger. Vii
bushevitch barely heard him. He knew
only that before him a spider lowered.
weaving its web, and behind him the street
looked in through the window and that to
everything he must answer No.
Finally the unknown spat out, with i'll
repressed anger, 81 believe you. that Won
know none of these men. III detain YOU no
longer. If had only the tiniest suspicion
that you knew single one of them. and
that you weren't telling me the truth.
would'-
He did not finish his sentence. but his
eyes flashed with hatred Then he added
once more good-humoredly and even ami
cably; Don't forget that you're one of
US"
v