CHAPTER XXX. WAT SUGGESTS A PLAN.

Te Aroha News, Volume VII, Issue 381, 29 June 1889, Page 4

CHAPTER XXX. WAT SUGGESTS A PLAN.

'Do you think they will will keep us?' asked Vera, when she found they were alone. ' I am satisfied that they will.' ' But can they help us to get out of the country V 4 I am not so sure of that, but they can hide us for a time, unless Sofia should go so far as to betray their secret meeting places, in which case we shall have a hard time of it. But don't despair. . •Indeed Tdo not. I have the utmost faith in you. I feel as if I could do anyhhing you wished,' 4 1 can't,' laughed Wat, * though I wish I could, for your sake. Hush ! here they come again. ' 4 Our brother is exonerated, unless you can bring some proof against him,' said, one of the council. , 'I have nothing to say, for, indeed, I know nothing.' 4 We have submitted your case to our brothers, and they are willing to lend you their aid, provided you will both swear that you will never reveal any of the secrets of the society.' ' We* will both swear.' 'Yes,', said Vera; 'and for my part, I will promise to give all the help in my power to your society in the future.' * Come, then, into the large room.' They followed their guide into the other room where they found the v whole assemblage drawn up in ' a semi-circular body, waiting for the oath to be administered to the two strangers. Wat was asked to take his stand before this assemblage, and prepared to take the oath as read to him. : He stood out as requested, and then, before anything could be said to him, addressed them all in a frank, bold way : 4 I wish to say, before I take this oath, that Ido it of my own free will, and only because I would do everything in' my power to assure you that, in return for the aid which you propose to extend to me and this lady, I will hold inviolate all the secrets which now or in the future shall come into my keeping. lam ready.' Wat's words and bearing had a marked effect upon the persons there, for a murmur of approbation followed his speech. One of the members now stepped forward, and in a solemn, impressive tone, began : ' What is your true name V 1 Wat Denton.' *Do you, Wat Denton, on your honour as,a man, on your belief in God, on your — ' , A member who had been on guard outside came running into, the room with a white face, crying : , ' * A company of soldiers has penetrated the i stable and is making, its- way toward the cellar ladder.' . , , ] , * 'Let the two strangers retire^ into the small . room,' , said Ghernigoff s T friend, quickly. . ( , And as he spoke he led them thither. 'Remain here [ until the extent), of the dangeris ascertained' he said) ' 1 'This is AlmazofPs .treachery,'- said Wat.* 'Do you think she has yet 'betrayed Chernigoff?' ) . ,";{'; ♦Only^ his connection with' lihe nihilists, but she is prepared to tell every lining, I am sure.' \^ ',',.," < „ r»; /.The'mari only nodded his head and went) -back. ' 5 f , „ 'J. , , V/,'.' v r'" { f , In anotheij moment.every ,' light 'went oufe by magic," and Wat and Yera'had nojihing^to do but- draw closer to each other

Presently Chernigoffs friend, as he knew by the voice, returned 'to' Jbim and whispered : " • .'•<■'•>,>', 5 > * Somebody has betrayed 'our Hiding place to the soldiers, and it is most likely Sofia.', v * Can they get .in here without any re1 sistance from you ?' 'We shall nob try to resist. We will escape if we can, or in default, die here. We will not be captured.' v * How will you die ?' * We have a great quantity of dynamite stored here, and we will explode that if it comes to the worst.' * Great heavens ! W here are the soldiers now ?' ' In the cellar under the stable.' 'And you are going to trust to luck that they will not make their way in here V ■ ' What else can Are no ?' ' And you will die without an effort ?' * The effort would be useless, and to try might enable them to secure some valuable papers. 5 ' But this is horrible ! Will you let me enter your councils and propose something ?' 'Certainly. Come.' 'Come, countess.' Vera clung to him closely and they were led out through the darkness into the great room where the devoted nihilists had calmly resigned themselves to a horrible death rather than by making an attempt to save themselves risk betraying the cause. ' Tell them who it is that is about to speak,' said Wat to his conductor. _' The stranger, the American detective, wishes to speak to the society. 5 'Let him speak,' murmured several voices. 'My friends, I am told "that you propose to die here rather than yield up any secret which might lead to any disaster to your cause.' 'That is true.' ' Life is very sweet to me. ' 'Itis to all of us ; but our cause ia of higher value.' ' But why not destroy any papers or other witnesses you may have, and then try to save yourselves ?' * Because even then we would only be captured — most of us at any rate — and then you know what worse than death we would be subjected to by the tyrant.* ' But it seems to me you yield up your j lives very easily,' cried Wat. ' Listen to my plan.' ' Let us hear it : but be quick, for the soldiers are not far off.' ' Destroy the papers. Then get out the j dynamite and bring it here. Place it in the middle of this room and the outer one, and throw open the doors so that the soldiers may have easy access. When the soldiers have passed through the door of the other room, let those who are stationed there take up the dynamite and put it between the soldiers and the door. Then make terms, if you can. Believe me, you will find the soldiers are not as devoted to death as you are.' ' The plan seems a good one,' said ChernigofFs friend. *At least,' said another, 'it will insure the death of the soldiers, too, if they hold out.' ' What do you say, my friends— shall we try the stranger's plan ?' * Let us try it. Light up again, and get the dynamite out.' ( To be continued)