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Mastowix was so completely staggered at this that he sat glaring wildly at the spy, unable to move or speak. The members of the tribunal consulted for only a moment.
So he began with the story, first with his meeting Zobriskie on the steamer, and so on until he was landed in Siberia. Batavsky listened with the utmost attention, and at points showed much excitement, trembling violently and scarcely able to restrain himself. "And the villain Mastowix had become a Nihilist?" said he. "It would seem so, sir."
I am simply Number Nineteen, and when this prison gets too full of the victims of tyranny, I shall be hustled off to Siberia, to make room for new victims." "It is dreadful. But in my case I did nothing against the law. I simply brought a letter from America to Prince Mastowix, and he at once threw me into this place."
I brought a letter to him from a man in New York." "What man?" "One Paul Zobriskie." "Paul Zobriskie!" exclaimed the man, clutching the bars that grated the window of his door. "Do you know him?" "No; I was simply on the point of sailing for Europe when he approached and asked me to deliver a letter to Prince Mastowix. I did so, and you know the rest."
An officer took Barnwell's name in to the prince, and finally returned, saying that he was empowered to receive any communication the stranger might have for Prince Mastowix, and was astounded almost when the young American told him that he must see the prince in person.
Well, Mastowix, when he thought the time ripe for his villainy, betrayed us all, with the understanding that he was to have one-half of all the government could find belonging to us, together with an office in which he could rise to ennoblement. Nicholas accepted his proposition, and we were banished to Siberia.
"Simply brought a letter from New York, from Paul Zobriskie, without knowing what its contents were simply to oblige a stranger and this is my reward," said he bitterly. "Paul Zobriskie! To whom directed?" the governor asked cautiously. "Prince Mastowix." "Ah! he has been lately executed." "Thank God!" exclaimed Barnwell. "And you knew nothing of the contents of the letter?"
"Well?" said the prince, looking at him inquiringly. "Are you the Prince Mastowix?" asked Barnwell, calmly. "I am. Who are you?" "William Barnwell, of New York, United States of America," said he proudly. "Well, what have you to do or say to me?" asked the prince, haughtily. "Only this, prince, and a very little. On the eve of leaving New York I was approached by one Paul Zobriskie "
He had been a schoolmate of Paul Mastowix, and well remembered that even as a boy his chief characteristic was hypocrisy, and even in after years he had many times suspected the loyalty of the man, and was not at all surprised to learn that he was an active Nihilist behind a mask of loyalty. And it was so strange that the innocent cause of his sudden downfall should now come under his charge.
I was watching Zobriskie, and saw him approach a young man and ask him if he was going to St. Petersburg, and on being informed that he was, asked him if he would deliver this letter to Prince Mastowix, at the same time enjoining him to be very careful and not let it reach another's hands." "It is false, vile spy!" roared the prince. "Silence!" shouted the president. "Proceed!"
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