Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-10-03

awful truth. ooh! he is murderer He
has killed the other. He peers into the
tomb. The lamp on the floor lights up his
face, / can see the sparkle Of his eyes
In sheer horror Beatrice paused as II
recognizing the visionary face.
What! You know him" cried Lorelie.
wildly: and to Idris' mind there was as
much horror in her voice in that Of
Beatrice. You know him? Who is it?'
Instead of replying Beatrice tried to lift
her hands as though their removal from
the vase would dissolve the terrible vision
Lorelie came swiftly forward and stayed
her action with an imperative gesture.
Much as Idris felt the necessity for inter-
vention. he refrained. for he was as eager
for the name as Lorelie herself.
You recognize him?" cried Lorelie. "Who
is 1t? His name? Who has more right to
know it than 1? Speak! God of heaven.
I'll wrest the name from you. though you
were dying No! stop! silence.v she sud
denly exclaimed. do not say the name
Eager to learn the secret Idris had been
incautiously pressing against the silken
porhere. and even in the midst of her agi-
tation. Lorelie had seen the movement of
the curtain.
There was a moments silence, and then
she cried:
who Is there?"
"A friend replied Idris: and seeing that
| he was discovered he lifted the curtain and
entered the recess. Let us have the name,
| and then
ut was honorable of you to play the
spy!' said Lorele coldly; and Idris could
not help feeling that he deserved the re-
proach.
Miss Ravengar." he said, stepping up TO
Beatrice and taking both her hands in his
into the tomb
"A face peering into the tomb? IL
don't understand"
Beatrice's voice had assumed it's sweet
natural ring. From her low seat she looked
at IdriS with the light Of gla6npcS in
her eyes at seeing him, color her
cheek at finding her hands clasped in mis-.
For moment he eyed her keenly. thin%-
ing that in order to shield the guilty per-
son she was going to deny the recos
milton Then the truth flashed upon
MIN. She had emerged from her
hypnotic trance. On detecting his
presence. the viscountess by some quick
sleight of hand must have restored her to
her normal state of mind.
Beatrice's wondering eyes showed that
she was entirely ignorant of the story that
had flowed from her lips.
That story had accomplished one good
end. She had spoken of the assassin as
man. and weight was lifted from Idris'
mind. Thank heaven, Lorelie was not the
author of the deed! But a troubling
thought remained. Was she friend of the
assassin. an accessory after the fact? If
not, why was she SO anxious to conceal his
name?
A question two on the part of Idris
ELECTED the fact that it was Beatrice herself
who had suggested the experiment with the
vase. Lorelie, who was versed in the art
of hypnotism, had readily assented. being
as eager as Beatrice to learn it's secret.
And now that the experiment was over
Beatrice looked from Lorelie to Idris, and
from 1dris to Lorelie, wondering why each
seemed SO grave.
What have I been saying?" she asked
Lorelie turned to 1dris. How long have
you been here?'
From the beginning of your experiment"
he answered.
Then Beatrice shall learn the story from
you"
But the story lacks completion. You
left the experiment unfinished at its most
interesting point.-Lady Walden" contin-
ued 1dris. gravely. you know now If you
did not know before, that a murder was
committed within the interior of Ormfell
Justice requires that the murderer should
be punished.
Go on" she murmured, as he paused.
That urn" he continued, pointing to the
golden vase formed part of the treas
ure that led to the crime. Whoever gave
you the urn was either the ASA sin or OBJ
tanned 1t through the agency of the
assassin
Idris paused again. and Lorelie herself
uttered the question that was in his mind.
And therefore, you would learn the
name of the giver?"
Idris bowed.
Mr.. Breakspear. you ask too much"
You desire to shield a murderer"
That's nothing new-with me. / have
been doing that for many years"
No look could be more mournful than
that accompanying her words.
You will not give me the name that was
trembling upon the lips of Miss Raven
gar?"
Il did not hear it," replied Lorelie, evas-
lively
But you have formed suspicion?"
MY suspicious might compromise the in
nocent, even as l myself have been COM
promised" she added with a reproachful
glance at Beatrice.
Forgive me-" murmured Beatrice with
dropping eyes
Are we not all liable to error?" said
Lorelie. kissing her tenderly. II commend
your frankness in coming to state your
suspicious, painful though it was for me
to listen. No; though fallen from what 1
might be, l have not yet stopped to mur-
der" And then, turning to Idris, she said:
IF refuse your request hdo SO In order
that may not rashly accuse the innocent
When I have verified my suspicious you
shall know the truth; for, if I am not mis-
taken, no one will have more right to the
knowledge than yourself. And then" she
added, with melancholy smile. then It
may be that you will find your desire for
justice evaporating."
CTo be continued tomorrow