Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-10-14
le Further Adventures of mysterious N
By E. Phillips Oppenheim,
(Copyrfsht. 1908. BY Dodd. Mead ard Company

sieged with visitors and letters from the
suffering people to whom my word had been
pledged. lmpioring me for some explana-
ton. for one word Of denial. Life has be-
come hell for me- a pestilent, militant
hell! Yet, Lucille. unless you break faith
with me 1 make no complaint. 1 am con-
tent"
Il am very sorry" she said 81 do not
think that you have properly understood
me. have never made you any promise"
For moment he lost control of himself
She shrank back at the blaze Of indigna-
ton. half scornful, half incredulous which
lit up his clear. gray eyes.
1T is a lie!' he answered. Between you
and me 1t can be no. question of words
You were always very careful Of YOUR
pledges. but there are limits even to your
caution-as to my forbearance. A woman
does not ask man who is pleading to her
for her love to give up everything else he
cares for in life without hope of reward 1t
Is monstrous! 1 never sought you under
false pretences. / never asked you for your
friendship 1 wanted you. 1 told you SO
plainly. You won't deny that you gave me
hope-encouraged me? You can't even DENY
that I am within my rights If I claim now
at this instant the reward for my apostasy"
Her hands were suddenly locked in his
She felt herself being drawn into his arms.
With a desperate effort she avoided his en-
brace. He still held her left wrist, and his
face was dark with passion.
Let me go!" she. pleaded
Not II" he answered. with an odd choked
little laugh. You belong to me. I have
paid the price. I. too. am among the long
list of those poor fools who have sold their
But I will not be left wholly destitute. You
shall pay me for what have lost"
oh. you are mad! she answered How
could you have deceived yourself so? Don't
you know that my husband il in London?"
The man who calls himself Mr. Sabin 90
he answered roughly. what has that to
do with 1t? You are living apart SAKE
Leinitzer and the duchess have both told
nf rtoI 90
the whole thing a monstrous lie?' he cried.
With sudden dawning sense Of the truth
Nonsense! 1 won't believe 1t. Lucille!
You're not afraid! I shall be good to Won.
You don't doubt that. ,abin viii divorce
you. of course. You won't lose your friends.
There was a sudden loud tapping at the
door. Brott dropped her wrist and turned
round with an exclamation of anger To
Lucille 1t was heaven-sent interposition.
The prince entered. pale and with signs of
hurry and disorder about his usually i'm
You are both here" he exclaimed.
Good! Lucille. I must speak with you ur-
gently In Ave minutes. Brott. come this
way with me-"
Lucille sank into a chair with a little
murmur Of relief. The prince led Brott Into
another room. and closed the door carefully
behind him.
as friend of Lucille's?'
Brott who distrusted the prince. looked
him steadily in the face. SAKE Leinitzer's
agitation was too apparent to be wholly as
stunned. He had all the appearance of being
a man desperately In earnest
Il have always considered myself one"
Brott answered. II am beginning to doubt
however. whether the countess holds me in
the same estimation"
You found her hysterical, unreasonable
overwrought!' the prince exclaimed THAT
Is so. eh?"
The prince drew a long breath
"Brott." he said. II am forced to conf,de
in you. Lucille is in terrible danger am
not sure that there is anybody who can eff
fectually help her but you. Are you pre-
pared to make a great sacrifice for her
sake-to leave England at once to take her
to the uttermost part of the world?"
Brott's eyes were suddenly bright The
prince quailed before the f1erceness of his
gaze.
''She would not goi" he exclaimed sharply
''She will" the prince answered. 'She
musti Not only that, but you will earn her
eternal gratitude. Listen. 1 must tell you
the predcament in which we find ourselves
1t places Lueille's life in your hands"
''WhatT
The exclamation came like pistol shot
The prince held up his hand.
DO not interrupt. Let me speak. Every