Strange Story.

Manawatu Herald, 25 July 1903, Page 3

Strange Story.

The London Referee lately published a story of a Nihilist plot that nan be warmly Recommended to the perusal of our popular novelilts. It le original in its conception, most aanguinary in its design, and as harmless in result as any.of the schemes of the redoubtable Mr Zero concerning which in Robert Louis Stevenson. Yet the story, as inquiry proved, was believed by many Russians in London. It carte with additional details from St. Petersburg, where for several weeks it had been whispered in society accompanied by awe-struck glances over the shoulder lest the terrible gossip should be overheard and reported to the secret police. Thus runs the tale. Some weeks ago the governess of the Imperial children entered a morning room in the palace shortly before ninel At that time she was to meet her charges Glancing at the clock, she observed it still wanted five minutes to the hour, and so went back to her room to fetch the book she had left behind. On returning she noticed that* the dock still marked five minutes to nine. Also that the children were not there. After waiting a few minutes she left the room and inquired for the children. They, it appeared, were still in the apartments of the Czarina, who had kept them longer than usual. Once more she walked back to the room. The clock was still five minutes to nine. What was the matter with it ? Clocks do not go wrong in palaces without receiving attention Also on drawing nearer, she discovered -Ringing a bell,: she

called a servant to examine She obtained assistance and carried it away. Then the mystery was explained—it was filled with dynamite. By a mechanical contrivance, the moving minute hand was to have exploded the charge at nine, when the children, and possibly the parents, were in the room. But a partical of the explosive had stopped the hand and disorganised Jthh mechanism of this infernal device Such is the story that is now being told. To obtain the truth is obviously impossible; but whether exaggerated or not, it is f a tale remarkable enough to bear repetition.