The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1891-03-08
in the middle of the room. she disappeared.
In the Meantime Muller had gone back to

in the middle OF the room. she disappeared
In the Meantime Muller had gone back te
Count Lanin's palace.
"Schelm is invisible" he told lana, whom
he found in che saloon. sI~did not in
sist. because yesterdays adventure ns
doubt has really affected his health. Il lef
the young man alone with his daughter"
But what are you going to do?" sh,
asked.
my plan ia very simple. Dakouss mus,
He will be condemned, but not to death
the death penalty no longer exists at com
mon law-but to the mines. ] shall en-
ploy, if need be, the rest of my fortune tc
secure his escape and to make him-any-
thing, a %potentate, if he wants it. He is a
royal fortune. He will testify as we want.
I have him under lock and key"
"That sounds plausible. But why do you
want to marry Andrew and Louise Schelm?
That seems to me unnecessary, II Dakouss
does what you want"
"Would you be satisfied with a verdict
acquitted for want Of evidence! No, surely
not. That will, however. happen if Louise
de Schelmberg appears in conrtsand accuses
the count. The court would never for a
moment suspect a young girl of eighteen.
Her evidence alone might mo suffice to con-
denim Vladimir, but the impression she
would produce would be fatal. I wan to
avoid that"
"Muller!'' said the countess, offering him
her hand. you are a noble friend"
''And then, az i am, though innocently,
the original cause of the whole tragedy, l
want to buy Schelm. choose Andrew
Popof because the poor boy really loves
ness among all these sorrows. Dakouss is
in my power. But this judge, this pro-
curator, is a man Of integrity"
lana smiled sadly. Muller saw it, took
her hand and said:
Eyes, I believe it, in spite of what you
have told me. Do not be angry with me,
Ianas if I insisted-but you promised me to
you. I must repeat it. I n n believe
him a traitor till I hear it with my own
doubts grieve me-"
This man is one of the heads of a secret
He has interests at heart of which
know nothing. He may nave spoken in
distinctly or you may have misunderstood
No, this man is loyal! He cannot
betray US, he would have to lave too many
accomplices-I cannot believe it! 1t would
down all / ever believed in my life!
when will you see Darine," he added,
after a pause, during which the two friends
at each other with true grief at their
The trial begins on Monday. have
till the last moment, hoping that
you could do something. that something
unforeseen might happen. but Saturday l
shall no longer hesitate. Come here on
Saturday at II in the morning. ! shall
write to the procurator and appoint that
hour for our Meeting"
Muller looked very pale. VERY WE'LL"
he said. Before taking final leave he re-
"DO not promise anything GER
tain. After having heard him l shall give
you my final advice. How I must revere
lana, to believe for a moment what
you say"
"And how I must trust you, Muller, for
in this affair I almost betray the emperor"
"We are on two lofty submits. lana, and
a fearful abyss separates us!' he said very |
sadly.
"Yes!" abe replied, Gin our belief.
Would to God the abyss could be filled up"
Muller made no reply but went out. In
The ante-room he met Alexandra, who was
ed and trembling. She seemed to have
for the nabob, for 10Y she came
forward and offering him her hand
The said, with some hesitation:
prince! / have not thanked you as l
ought to have done. l owe you my honor
ny life and-I do not know-how to express
my sentiment
Muller looked at her, noticed her bushes
md her confusion, trembled slightly all
'ver, took her hand, kissed it IN said:
ID you know, dear child, that / might
,e your fatherT' And without waiting for
answer he went out.