Little Falls herald. [volume] (Little Falls, Morrison County, Minn.) 1889-1950, 1901-08-23
ICoNTINUED.
CHAPTER XIII.
THE PL.OTTER IS AT WORK.

chair, playing with a favorite dog,
while near by him sat Stephen Ur-
zen. The young nobleman had gain
ed rapidly since the visit of Ruric,
for the antidotes he had taken had
proved efficient, and he oon came
back to the point he had reached be-
fore the administering of the poi
son.
"S::ephen,". he said, pushing his
dog gently from him, ''has anything
been heard yet from Ruric Newell 2"
"Not that l know Of" returned
Urzen., i
ooh, I wish I were able to assist
in the search! But have you heard
anything of what suspicious may be
afoat?"
"Only that the humpbacked priest
is looked upon by some as having
had some hand in it," !
ella! And how does suspicion
point toward him." -.
"Why, in no direct way, I believe.
I cannot understand it. All I know
is he is suspected"
The count pondered a few mo-
ments, and he Thought he could see
it. Urzen did not know the secret Of
his friends strange relapse, for that
: had been kept private. So he had
90 clew to the priests true charac-.
fer, as the count possessed.
Il believe the fellow is a villain,"
Urzen resumed. "He is surely a>vil-
famous looking man."
$50 he isl responded the count.
Il W saw: such a wicked look
before in am human face"
"Ahw uttered a voice close by the
door. "Who comes in for the fatter-
ing remark, my friend?"
Both the count and Stephen turn
ed, and the humpbacked priest him
self stood in their presence.
"HaP he uttered as he noticed
the position Of the invalid. Cup?
By the holy Virgin, you are recover.
ing!" = u
"Aye,' returned Conrad II am
gaining fast now, as you may see."
The priest struggled hard with
his feelings, and at length he man
aged to conceal the deep disappoint-
ment he felt-that is, he hid it from
Stephen's YES. but the count knew
hip too well.
"You have not been very punctual
of late, father the latter said, also
trying to conceal his real feelings.
"No, no." returned Savotano in q
perplexed manner; "1 admit it. But
the fact is l have been called away.
Let's see. l have not been here
since the evening on which I found
a stranger sitting by your side while
you we're asleep $500 &
"Who was the stranger"
~ don't know. / think I never
saw him before. He was a good
looking young man. Perhaps he
was some relative of yours ?"
This downright falsehood, so bold
and fragrant, astonished even the
count, for he knew the conversation
which the priest had held with Ru-
yic on that occasion, and, quick as
lightning, too, went the thought to
the sick mans mind that this was to
hide the probability, of his being
suspected in connection with Ruric's
disappearance. q.
Il thought you knew that man.
the count said, looking the priest:
sharply in.the face.
"No. may have, seen him be-
fore, but } did not surely recognize
him then. I asked him why hewatss;
here, but he would not answer me
save by urging: me to silence. Who
was he, my son $
- The count was at first inclined
not to answer, but he thought bet
ter Of it and finally told the priest.
that#it was Rnric Newell. The vii
lain seemed much surprised at this
and professed to wonder WHY the
fellow should come to that place.
urzen,, who knew. nothing Of the;
falsehood which rested under all
!. this questioning, went on and ex-
planned the nature Of Ruric's mis-
sion and its result. And. thaereuponrl
Ssavotano expressed wondrons de-
gree ofSSloY and Spratifcationsand