The sun. (Jacksonville, Fla.) 1905-1908, 1906-06-09
THE SUN

Archer-who is sometimes known as
Horribly, or Woodroffe-as we'll as a
friend of his called Chatter"
Isl, signore," he said. 81 have met
them ALTO my regret"
"And have you ever met Russlan-a
certain Baron Oberg-and his niece,
Eima Health"
"His niece2 She isn't his niece"
"Then who is she?" ! demanded.
"How do I know? have seen her
once or twice. But she's dead isn't she !
She knew the secret of those men, and
they intended to kill her. l tried to pre-
vent them taking her away on the yacht,
and l would have gone to the police
only l dare not"
"WhyY"
"Well, because my own hands were not
quite clean," he answered after a pause,
his eyes fixed upon mine the while. 81
knew they intended to silence her, but l
was powerless to save her, poor young
lady. They took her on board Leith-
courts yacht, the Iris, and they sailed
for the Mediterranean, I believe
"Then the name and appearance OF the
yacht was altered on the voyage, and it
became the Lola," / said.
"No doubt" he smiled. "The Iris was
a steamer of many names, and had, be.
lieve, been painted nearly all the colors
of the rainbow at various times. 1t was
O mysterious vessel, but she exists no
more. They scuttled her somewhere up
in the Baltic, I've heard"
"And who is this Oberg!" inquired.
urging him to reveal to me all he knew
concerning him.
"He stands in great fear of the poor
young lady, believe, for it was at his
instigation that Leithcourt and his
friends took her on that fatal yaching
cruise"
"And what was your connection with
themf"
"Well, I was Leithcourt's servant,
was his reply. 81 was steward on the
Iris for a year, until suppose they
thought that l began to see too much
and then was placed in a position
ashore"
AND what dld you seeT'
"More than care to tell, signore. Il
they were arrested l should be arrested
too, you see."
But | mean to solve this mystery
Olinto," said fiercely, for was in n,
trifing mood. "I'll fathom it if it cost
me my life."
IF the signore solves it himself, thel
cannot be charged with revealing tn
truth" was the mans diplomatic reply
But l fear they are far too wary"
"Armida has lost her life. Surely tina
is sufficient incentive for you to brin,
them all to jusllce?"
"Of course. But if the law falls upol
them, it will also fall upon me-"
explained the terrible affection L
which my love had been subjected b,
those heartless brutes, whereupon h
cried enthusiastically:
Then she is not dead! She can tel
us everything!"
but cannot you tell usi"
mo; not all. The secret she know
has never been revealed. They feare
she might be incautious, and for tina
reason Oberg made the villainous sue
gestion OF the yachting trip. She wa
to be drowned-accidentally, of course.
"She is in st. Petersburg now. I lef
her a week ago."
I'm Russia! All, signore, for her SAX
don't allow the young lady to rema;
there. The Baron is POWERFUL II
does what he wishes in Russia, and III
more merciless he is to the people h
governs, the greater rewards he receive
from the Car. have never been {;
Russia, but surely it must be strang
country, signore!"
Well" | said, sitting upon the edp
OF the bed and looking at him. "ATT
you prepared to denounce them if br;n
the Signorina Heath here, to England ?
But what is the use, if we have n
clear prooff" was his evasive reply.