“You were a Nihilist in Russia?”—“No, sir.”
“Are you not the agent here for the Nihilists in Russia?”—“No, sir. I am not an agent for any society in Russia.”
“Did you not tell Mr. Hardy you were the agent for a Nihilistic society?”—”No, sir. The reporters used to call me a Nihilist because I was Russian.”
“What paper are you now working for?”—“The Moscow Gazette.”
“Look at that letter; is that your signature at the bottom?”—“It is.”
The letter is written in German and it is given to the translator, who is instructed to render it into English. “This letter is directed to a ‘Mr. Editor.’ What editor?”—“I think it was directed to Mr. Spies.”
“That was before you came to Chicago?”—“It was.”
“Then we offer it in evidence.” The letter is, in substance, an inquiry as to whether or not Spies could use certain articles written by Malkoff. It goes on to say: “I have just completed another article treating of the secret revolutionary societies of Russia. I am a proletariat in the fullest sense of the word. Address your letter to J. H. Schwab, 50 First street, New York.”
“Is that J. H. Schwab, Justus Schwab?”—“It is.”