The answer ? What hour is it ? What day ? What year ? How many are we in number ? The Galilæan had less to conquer the world ; but what is our mission ? Our creed ? Our duty ? Brothers , the questions have been answered well . There are none but Nihilists present . Let us see each other 's faces .Michael , recite the oath . Are we all agreed ? ‘ Tis after the hour , Michael , and she is not yet here . If those dogs have caught her ,the red flag of the people will float on a barricade inevery street till we find her ! It was foolish of her to go to the Grand Duke 's ball . I told her so , but she said she wanted to see the Czar and all his cursed brood face to face once . Since he came back from abroad a year ago his father has kept him in close prison in his palace . A council is to be held to-morrow , at four o'clock , on some secret business the spies cannot find out . In the yellow tapestry room called after the Empress Catherine . I cannot tell , Michael . I know more about the insides of prisons than of palaces . Professor , we have read the proofs of your last article ; it is very good indeed . Peace , Michael , peace ! He is the bravest heart among us . Welcome , Vera , welcome !We have been sick at heart till we saw you ; but now methinks the star of freedom has come to wake us from the night . We can suffer at least . Up to this the people have borne everything . It is the death warrant of liberty in Russia . It must be about this that the council meet to-morrow . It has not yet been signed . Ay ! or lose one 's own head . But you will be seized , Michael . Shall I tell the brethren ? Is this true , Michael ? Let the doors be locked , then .Alexis Ivanacievitch entered on our roll of the brothers as a Student of the School of Medicine at Moscow . Why did you not tell us of this bloody schemeof martial law ? Vera , did you not hear what Michael said of him ? He stayed all night in the Czar 's palace . He has a password and a private key . What else should he be but a spy ? Why are you here , traitor ? Michael , we dare not lose Vera . It is her whim to let this boy live . We can keep him here to-night . Up to this he has not betrayed us . Come , Michael , come . We have no time to cut one another 's throats while we have our own heads to save . Brothers , be masked all of you .Michael , open the door . It is our only chance . O God ! if he sees it is Vera , we are all lost ! What day ? In what month ? What is our duty ? Our creed ? Let the doors be shut . There are others but Nihilists present . What have you to gain , then , by a revolution ? Then you have a right to be one of us .We also meet daily for revenge . Ay , if he had wanted to spy on us , Vera , he would n't have come himself . PRINCE PAULNo ; I should have sent my best friend . Besides , Vera , he is just the man to give us the information we want about some business we have in hand to-night . Brothers , is it your will that Prince Paul Maraloffski be admitted , and take the oath of the Nihilist ? Prince Paul , the dagger or the oath ? PRINCE PAULI would sooner annihilate than be annihilated . Remember :Betray us , and as long as the earth holds poison or steel , as long as men can strike or woman betray , you shall not escape vengeance .The Nihilists never forget their friends , or forgive their enemies . Sign .You said you thought we had no creed . You were wrong . Read it ! We can use him . Strangle him . PRINCE PAUL“ The rights of humanity ! ” In the old times men carried out their rights for themselves as they lived , but nowadays every baby seems born with a social manifesto in its mouth much bigger than itself .“ Nature is not a temple , but a workshop : we demand the right to labour . ” Ah , I shall surrender my own rights in that respect . VERAOh , will he never come ? will he never come ? Michael , the regicide ! Brothers , let us do honour to a man who has killed a king . Michael , you have saved Russia . The dread night of tyranny is not yet past for Russia . But how did you escape , Michael ? They said you had been seized . What a chance his coming out on the balcony was ! And where have you been these three days ? Nicholas is an honest man . Prince Paul has just taken the oath . This must be a new atmosphere for you , Prince Paul . We speak the truth to one another here . You recognise a good many friends , I dare say ? But you are here yourself ? Prince , this is most valuable information . Michael , you were right . If it is not to-night it will be too late . Read that . Prince , we are in your debt . PRINCE PAULThe normal condition of the Nihilists . Brothers , it is full time . Which of us is absent ? Michael , read Rule 7 . Is there anything against our brother Alexis ? Michael , read Article 7 of the Code of Revolution . Brothers , what say you ? Is Alexis , the Czar , guilty or not ? What shall the penalty be ? Let the lots be prepared ; it shall be to-night . Brothers , are you ready ? VERANot yet ! Not yet ! I have a word to say . Ay ! under a false name .He lied to us at the beginning . He lies to us now at the end . We know him too ; he is a traitor . Every nation is fit for a Republic . Vera pleading for a king ! VERAI plead not for a king , but for a brother . You bade us try you once ; we have tried you , and you are found wanting . So he would play the citizen-king , would he , while we starve ?Would flatter us with sweet speeches , would cheat us with promises like his father , would lie to us as his whole race have lied . We will have none of you ! Begone from us to this boy you love . Are you ready . Michael , you have the right to draw first ; you are a Regicide . Open your lots . VERAThe lot is mine ! see the bloody sign upon it ! Dmitri , my brother , you shall have your revenge now . Vera Sabouroff , you are chosen to be a regicide . God has been good to you . The dagger or the poison ? Ay , Prince Paul , that is the best way . Vera , the Czarsleeps to-night in his own room in the north wing of the palace . Here is the key of the private door in the street . The passwords of the guards will be given to you . His own servants will be drugged . You will find him alone . We will wait outside in the Place St. Isaac , under the window . As the clock strikes twelve from the tower of St. Nicholas you will give us the sign that the dog is dead . You are to throw us out the bloody dagger . Else we shall know that you have been seized , and we will burst our way in , drag you from his guards . Michael , you will head us ? At twelve o'clock , the bloody dagger .