CHAPTER XVI.

Te Aroha News, Volume VII, Issue 377, 15 June 1889, Page 3

CHAPTER XVI.

AMONG THE NIHILISTS. Very little attention was paid to Wat's entrance, partly, as it seemed, because they bad faith in their precautions, and more because there was at the lime a passionate address being made by one of their number. Wat looked round for Chernigoff, with the idea of keeping as far as possible from him. The count, however, was not anywhere in sight, and Wat began to wonder what had become of him. * Where is Cbernigoff V he ventured to ask one of the nihilists near him. 'Chcrnigoff?' repeated the man, wonderingly. 4 Yes ; he came in just before I did.'" ' Oh,!' exclaimed the man ; ' yes, I know. He's with the council.'' He jerked his thumb toward the farther corner of the room,' and Wat saw a door there. What Wat had heard of the speech being made convinced him that he would be unlikely to hear anything of consequence where he was. The council was plainly the place for him to obtain the information desired. He worked his way around to the door, and examined it. It was in no way guarded, and the key was on his side. Ho glanced around to see if it was at all possible for him to gain an entrance'unobserved by the others in the room. Apparently, by taking the right moment, he would have no difficulty, as they were all too much engaged in listening to the fiery speech of the orator to let their attention wander much. Moreover, they did not suspect him, and there was, therefore,- no reason why they .should watch him. • -,- The only important question was as to where the door led. If it led directly into the council-room, it would be useless to try to gain admission, for he would then, be detected at once. If, on the other hand, it led into a hall, as seemed likely, since he could not hear a word or sound by the most acute listening, there was some chance of stealing upon them unobserved. There was nothing to do but take the chances, so he chose an opportune moment and turned the knob of the door. Letting the door open a little bit, he listened, and, hearing nothing, waa convinced that the meeting-room must be still farther away. He now stood close to the door, and, facing the people in the room, aAvaited the right moment. It came, and he whisked himself through the doorway, and closed the door behind him with a beating heart. He was in the "dark hall-way, or anteroom, he could not tell which. He listened at the door at which he had just entered, to learn if his departure had been noticed. Apparently it had not been, for the speech went on as it had done before. Satisfied as to that, Wat now stole quietly forward toward a faint glimmer of light. ( And he could hear voices now as he advanced nearer to the streak of light. To his joy, the words became distinct as he* 1 reached thef*li»ht, which he was now aware came through the cracks of an illfitting door. He bent his head and listened. ' The printing is almost done, you say ?' 'Ib will be all ready by to-morrow morning.' 'And you, Chernigoff, are you sure the last lot passed the frontier ?' ' Certain.' * So that as soon as he is dead the handbills can be spread broadcast all over the country?' 'By this time, if the orders Lave been carried out, every branch of the society has a bundle of the handbills.' ' I can answer for Vienna and Berlin,' said another voice. 'If then our whole plan is carried to a successful issue, there will be no Czar within another twenty-four hours.' ' And tho whole of Europe will be ringing with the news before the body of the tyrant is cold.' * If he but goes to the review, theie can be no escape for him this time.' ' Is he sure to go ?' ' Chernigoffsays theie was no change or thought, of it when he left. And as for Shevilch, he will do his part, like a patriot and a martyr.' 'Bub even if Shevitch's bomb should fail the Czar will not escape.' 'Ko, for Strelnikoft's pistol or Petrofsky's knife would be sure to do the work.' 'It was a wise idea of Chornigoff's to have three avengers chosen for the same task. 5 Wat had heard enough. Indeed, his success so far exceeded his wildest expectations that he would have doubted his ears had he nob known that the assassination so calmly talked of was the most likely thing to be attempted. The important matter now was to escape with his prize. Could he but send word of what was being planned to Grosser, the life of Vera would be saved beyond a doubt. He stole back, and his hand was on the knob of the door when it was suddenly snatdhed 'open and he stood exposed to view. With wonderful presence of mind he smiled in an unconcerned manner, and made as if to pass out. The trick almost succeeded, but unfortunately the man who had opened the door was a member of the council, and, his first surprise over, recognised the fact that the man before him was nob one of them, and therefore had no right to be where he was. * Hold on there !' he said suspiciously. * Who are you ? What are you doing here ?' A number of the men at once gathered to hear what was being said. ' T was looking for the council. I was told"ib was.here. The man looked him over steadily, as if he would make him out, and then said : 'It is here. Come with me.' 'Thank you.' Wat realised i now that little short pi a miracle would save him, for, do his best, it was unlikely he could deceive them as to his purpose in being there. He was glad he was to be taken before a small body of men rather than be handed over to the ungovernable passions of so large a crowd. He followed the man into the room beyond, and found five men there. ' * This man,' said his conductor to the others, 'has something to communicate to the council.' They all looked ab,him curiously, and then at the speaker, whose note of suspicion was boo pionounced to be unnoticed. I ' Well ?' demanded Chernigoff, who seemed to be the master-spirit, • what have you to say to the council ?' ' I have just arrived from Russia.' « Well?' ' I was exiled to Siberia, but escaped.' 4 Well V The questions were so grimly pub that Wat saw that he had a great deal of sus-

picion to overcome if he hoped to deceive his questioners. Ac the same time that he was answering he was looking round and examining the room. It had a window, and another door besides the one he had entered at. | The window was barred and nailed, as if it was not intended to be used, while the ! door was barred, bolted, and padlocked. Escape then was out of the question, for ho could not hope to make a rush and get out through the crowd in the outer room. If he had had but the six men alone to deal with, although powerful and desperate men, he would have felt more confident. But with the whole roomful ready to flock in at a word, he felt that his only chance lay in strategy, and that that chance was an exceedingly poor one. 4ln Vienna,' he said, ' I went to a meeting of the brethren, and the council there tent this message by me.' 4 What messago ?' was the sarcastic query. It was Chernigoff who asked the question, and there was so much of mockery in his manner that Wat saw that it was only a waste of time to try to prolong the conversation. Since he could nob cajole, then he would fight, even with the odds so much against him.