Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1901-08-29

ne to call on you, Mr.. Tristram. You
must consider this interview purely
Is one of business kind. | have just
'eturned to England. For two
months I have been out of the way of
'eceiving letters or newspapers. | |
vent to the Imperium club tonight
arrived only this morning-and dined
n Neeid's company. AS it CHANGED,
we spoke of you, and l learned what
had happened since | left England.
have lost no time in calling on you"
Neeld was listening and fidgeting
with his sheets of paper. The colo
nels preamble excited little interest
in Harry; the reaction of his struggle
was on him; he was courteously but
not keenly attentive.
at is not agreeable to me to speak
Of my brother to you, Mr.. Tristram.
Doubtless we should differ if we dis
cussed his character and conduct. 1t
is not necessary
rs Sir Randolph Edge concerned in
what you have to say to me?" asked
Harry.
Yes, l am sorry to say he is. An
other person is concerned, also"
"One moment. You are. of course,
aware that l no longer represent my
family? Legally I'm not even a mem
Der of it. 1t is possible that you
ought to address yourself to Lady
Tristram-my cousin-or to her law
yers."
Il have to speak to you. Is the
name of the Comtesse d'Albreville
known to you, Mr.. Tristram?"
Eyes, I've heard my mother speak
of meeting her in Paris"
You are aware that later-after he
parted from Lady Tristram-my
brother went to Russia, where he had
business interests?'
Il have very good reason to know
that Harry smiled at Mr.. Neeld,
who had apparently got all he could
out of his papers and was sitting
quiet and upright in an eager atten-
ton.
What am about to say is known,
l believe, to myself alone-and to
Neeld here, to whom told it tonight.
While my brother was in Russia he
was Joined by the comtesse. She paid
him visit-Secretly, | need hardly
add She passed under the name of
Nine. Valfier, and she resided in the
house adjoining Randolphs When he
fell ill he had just completed the sale
of one of his Russian properties. She
was brilliant woman-she died, by
the way, two or three years ago-but
eXtrayagant and fond of money. She
prevailed on my brother to promise
her the price of this property as a
gift The sum was considerable
about $1,000"
Harry nodded Here seemed to be
some possible light on the reasons
for the interview.
This money was to be paid-in
gold-on certain day. speak now
from information impaired to me sub
sequently by the countess herself. 1t
was given under promise of Sc
crecy which l have kept hitherto, but
now find myself compelled in honesty
to break"
There can be no question of what
is your duty, Edge" Mr. Neeld now
put in.
81 think none. My brother during
his illness discussed the matter with
the comtesse. The money was pay
able in st. Petersburg. He could not
hope to be well enough to get there
At her suggestion he signed paper
authorizing payment to be made to
her or an agent appointed by her
The money being destined for her
ultimately, this naturally seemed the
best arrangement. She could go and
receive the money or send for it-as
fact she went in person when the
time came-and all would be set
tied"
quite so. And the transaction
would not appear on the face of Sir
Randolph's accounts or handbook.
Harry suggested.
Its possible that weight was given
to that consideration, too. but it is
not very material. The comtesse
then, was in possession of this author
ity. My brothers illness took turn
for the worse. To be brief, he died
before the day came on which the
money was to be paid"
and she presented the authority
all the same?" asked Harry. And
got the money, did she?'
THAT is precisely the course she
adopted" assented Colonel Edge.
Harry took walk up and down
| the room and returned to the hearth
| rug.
I'm very sensible of your kindness
in coming here today he said, 'ant
your conduct is that of man of hon
or. But at this point I'll stop you
please. I'm aware that prima facie
the law would pronounce me to BIZ
Sir Randolph's son. That has Away:
been disclaimed on our side, an(
could easily be disapproved on yours
i have nothing to do with Sir Ran
dolph Edge or his property
The colonel listened unmoved.
IN any case you would have moth
ing to do with my brothers proper
| ty," he remarked "He left will b.
which | was constituted sole legatee.
"Then if she robbed anybody sh
robbed you?"
Certainly, and three years late
she came and told me So
"Then how in the world does it cor
Germ me?" cried Harry impatiently
you put your finger on the spot
Mr.. Tristram, but you took it OF
again. You said she presented tn
authority all the same"
We'll, yes, the authority would b
revoked by his death. At least | SUI
pose there's no question of that? Di
she get at them before they heard @
the deathP'