The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1901-08-17
'I KNOW IL was the monks as

II know IL, was the monks as
sured reply. 'But," he continued,
relapsing into perplexity, 81 cannot
imagine what has become of him.
But, holdl My dear child, is there
not a humpbacked, ungainly priest
who sometimes visits your guard
ian ?"
This was addressed to Rosalind,
and a fearful tremor shook her
frame as she heard it, for its import
was at once apparent.
"Do you suspect She had
started forward and grasped the
monks arm as she thus commenced,
but she could not continue. The
thought she would have uttered was
terrible.
go on" whispered Vladimir,
bending his head low down so as to
catch her very thoughts if they left
her lips. "What would you sayY"
ooh, / ought not, and yet j
know his soul is capable even of
that" Thus much the fair count
ess murmured TO herself, and then
she gazed up and spoke TO the
strange man before her.
"Do you suspect my guardian ?"
"Do you suspect him 2" the monk
returned.
ooh, / know not what to thinkp
"But listen," resumed Vladimir
earnestly. 81 would know all that
you know, and then perhaps / can
assist you. Fear not, for as true as
God lives | mean to save Ruric if /
can, and if can but gain a clew to
him now | can surely save you both.
Trust me, for | possess a wondrous
power for the good of those who
trust me. Now, what end could the
duke have in view in wishing for
Ruric's removal? ! know what he
had in view in connecting the duel
it was the death of Damonoff and
the undivided possession of Drot-
zen Now, answer me, what does he
aim at now ?"
In spite of all doubts Rosalind
found herself trusting the monk.
There was an air of conscious truth
and power in his look and tone that
won upon her.
"Good father" she returned after
a few moments thought, "the duke
has sworn by most fearful oath
that he will have me for his wife!"
"Haw uttered the monk, starting
back a pace and clinching his hands.
'Does he mean that p
ooh, most truly he does!" the
young countess replied, and she
spoke more firmly now, for there
was something in the sudden energy
of the monks exclamation that gave
her hope.
''Ihen he wants your estates too.
BY my soul, he is aiming for wealth
with a high hand! And do you sup
pose he fears Ruric Newell in con-
nection with this scheme 2"
eyes, father-I will speak plain
ly, for ! trust you. j do not think
you would betray one who never
harmed YOU"
LET the end of these things tell
you that. But now finish what you
had begun-about your thoughts of
the duke"
Gle knows, holy father, that /
love Ruric, and he knows, too, that
Ruric loves me. May he not under
such circumstances fear that the no
bic youth will try to thwart him?'
Every likely" returned Vladimir
thoughtfully. 81 will profit by this,
and | am much mistaken if you do
not also profit by it. | have those in
Moscow who will work for me.
cannot, Of course, directly assure
you of salvation, for Ruric may
never be found"
4 quick groan escaped from
Claudia's lips as the monk thus
spoke, but before Rosalind could
speak the door Of the apartment was
opened, and the Duke of lula strobe
inl He stopped as he came nigh to
where the company stood, and his
eyes flashed and his frame trembled
with passion.
GLOW now r. he cried as soon as
he could command speech. "What
means this gathering here in my
own palace? Meddling monk, how
dare you drag your detestable form
hither? Out, reptile, outl And let
me catch you here again and my
dogs shall tear you up as they do
carrionw
Without a word the monk turned
away His face was pale Gs death
and his hands were clinched till the
fingers ends seemed to settle them
selves into the palms.
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