The Argosy, Vol. XXV, No. 1 — page 103: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

BY RIGHT OF SWORD. 103 “You have not told me yet what made you think anything of the sort.”’ ‘‘T will tell you. As soon as I heard the news I knew of course that, as I had been mixed up in some old Nihilist troubles, it would be hopeless for me to think of leaving Moscow; and when the police agent came I let him un- derstand that I had given up all thought of going. Then I was all anxiety for news of you, and in the afternoon I went to your rooms. I found them shut and could hear nothing. Then I began to fear for you. I am only a woman. ’’ She stopped and smiled to me before resuming. ‘Then with a shudder — she continued : ‘‘ Then a most strange thing happened. Borlas came to me just at dusk ; and he looked so strange that at first I thought he had been drinking. Saying he had a message from you, he waited until I had sent the servant away. ‘““ What is it?’ I asked. | ‘For, answer he gave mea sign that made my heart sink. I knew it too well, and I looked at him with the keenest scrutiny. Had the Nihilists put a spy on you even in your own servant? ‘Then I saw—that it was not Borlas, but a man so cleverly made up to resemble him that I had been at first deceived. ‘«* What do you want here?’ Lasked, now with every nervein my body at full tension. ‘“*Do you know ?’ and the light in his eyes seemed to flash into mine. ‘“*Do I know what?’ I could see there was something behind all this. ‘‘ He bent close to me, though we were of course alone, and spoke his reply in a fierce whisper. ‘“< Tell your brother that after this proof our hearts beat but for him ; our plans shall all wait on him ; every man of us will go to his death silently and cheerfully at his mere bidding. He leads, we follow. He has nobly kept his pledge for the cause of God and freedom.’ ‘““As I heard this my heart seemed to stopin pain. I had to hold the table to save myself from falling. ‘** Do you mean,’ I gasped, ‘that Alexis has murdered ‘« «Silence, sister,’ replied the man sternly. ‘That is no word for you to utter or for me to hear. Your brother is as true a friend as Russian lib- erty ever had; and I thank my God that I have ever been allowed to even touch the hand that has dealt this vigorous blow and done this noble and righteous act.’ “**T will tell him,’ I said. “Tell him also he need have no fear. Not a man who was at the meeting is in the city now save me; and nota single soul of the thousands these dogs of tyranny can seize knows anything—save only me. And I would to heaven they would take me and torture me that I might use my last breath and my latest effort to taunt them that I know the hero who has done it and die with my knowledge a secret.’ ‘‘Then this terrible man, you may not know his name, but I know him, left me telling me it was ‘a glorious day for Russia, and that God would ba COMmmicoool<s (S@)