New-York tribune., 1918-12-22
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4 and trembled at the thought that
they would come for the reply He
tortured himself horribly with visions of
the trials that awaited him. Yet days
passed. and weeks, and nobody came for his
answer
He kept under cover. If he kept under
cover they would forget him. He avoided
his friends, and even did not seek new
employment. A person who was forever
confined to his own room could surely be of
no use to the secret service. He expert
enced days of anguish. Alone, without
work, with the eternal terror of the Och
ranka in his heart. Yet content with every
passing day in the consciousness that an
other day had gone by in which his seclu-
sion had not been disturbed
AT last, however, he had to seek employ
ment. He found it I'm the office of "The
Word" He had resolved to hold himself
aloof. He would do his work and go
straight home. He would NEEDLE in moth
ing whatsoever and would hence know
nothing. This was the best course to pur
sue in any case.
without signature, and in an unfamiliar
that evening to the Opera House.
"They have come already" he said to
himself, with heavy heart "It is begin
ming" deathly gloom enfolded him. He
crumpled the letter and threw it aside.
Then he picked it up again, smoothed it
out and studied again the unfamiliar
script, and this time tore it into minute
scraps, with burning anger But he felt
as if the walls had caved in upon him.
There was no doubt about it. 1t was then,
But he would not go to the Opera House
And he really did not go. But he spent
apprehenslve days. He felt himself sur
rounded by eyes, and here was a powerful
hand threatening him from behind, seizine
him by the collar and shaking him. and the
officer was cursing him: "You ----
why didn't you come here when YOU were
summoned?"
Hot and cold shivers would shoot throuob
his spine
Several days later, as he was leaving his
house one morning for work. he was ac-
costed by person in civilian dress. of
medium build and with a goatee beard In
a voice that permitted no refusal the
stranger said: "Mr. Vilbushevitch. have
something to talk over with YOU"
Vilbushevitch blanched He knew that
TINS man was one of "them," yet he mus
tered enough strength to ask, in culver
lng' frightened voice, "Who may you be 90
Well talk things over and youu find
out for yourself"
A most unprepossessing apnearance An
evil, venomous glare from rair of headv
eyes Vilbushcvtch was STRONGLY imno,1ed
to run away or call for help. He feared
tins person of the evil countenauce He
trembed before him and at thought of
the coming conversation. But the Other
man spoke calmly and nonchalantlv
come haven't any time. Neither have
you. Perhaps you'd rather have us 90 to
your room?"
Ohder no circumstances, thought Vii
pushevltch, must he take this stranqar
INTO his room. There surely must be some
special reason for such a request So VII
bushevitch replied Il have not time 70
talk now I've got to go to work.
Come insisted the other. Lets talo
a droshke. I'll bring you to the nlace
where you work. and meanwhile we can
discuss the matter"
Vilbushevitch was at loss as to HOW,
to dismiss the suggestion, and so ac-
cepted it.
once they were seated in the droshke
the stranger began with cunnnr smile
DO you know could compromise Won
very badly now If | should drive over to
your printing shop with you-and Pn
wager there are good many there who
know me-
Vlloushevltch gave start. He was about
to spring out Of the rspidly moving