The sun. (Jacksonville, Fla.) 1905-1908, 1906-05-12

TO demand satisfaction on behalf Of Miss
Heath"
"Oh!--well, II the lady cares to come
here herself, I will give her the salts
faction she DESIRES" was his crafty re-
ply.
"The lady has escaped you, and it is
therefore hardly likely she will Willingly
return to Helsingfors," said.
ut was you who succeeded, by throw
ing the guard into the water, in abduct-
ing her from the CASTLE" he remarked
But" he added, sneeringly, with sinis-
ter smile. ~ presume your gallantry was
prompted by affection-eh,"
"That is my own affair"
"A deaf and dumb woman is surely
not very cheerful compartment"
"And who caused her that afflictionH"
I cried holly. "When she was at Chich.
ester she possessed speech and hearing
as other girls. Indeed, she was not
afflicted when on board the Lola in Leg
horn harbor only few months ago. Per
haps you recollect the narrow escape. the
yacht had on the Meloria sandsY"
His eyes met mine, and / saw by his
drawn face and narrow brows that my
words were causing him the utmost con
sternation. My object was to make him
believe that knew more than | really
did--to hold him in fear, in fact.
perhaps the man whom some know
as Horribly, or Woodroffe, could tell an
interesting story" went on. "He will,
nc doubt, when he meets Elma Heath,
and finds the terrible aflliction of which
she has been the victim"
His thin, bony countenance was blood
less, his mouth twitched and his gray
brows contracted quickly,
II haven't the least idea what you
mean, my dear sir" he stammered. "All
that you say is entirely enigmatical to
me. What have to do with this mad
Englishwoman's affairsw
"Send out this man." l said, poining
to the detective Malkoif, who had APP
peared from behind the paneling of the
audience chamber. "Send him out, and
I will tell you."
But the representative of the Car, al
ways as much in dread of assassination
as his imperial master, refused. / saw
that what had said had upset him, and
that he was not at all clear as to how
much more or how little of the true fads
! knew.
The connection between the little min
nature cross OF the Order of St. Anne
and that red and yellow ribbon in his
button-hole struck me forcibly at that
moment, and said:
II have no desire to make statements
before second person. / came here to
see you privately, and in private will /
speak. l have certain information that
will, / feel confident, be of the utmost
interest to you-concerning another wo-
man, Armida Santini."
His lips were pressed together, and /
noticed how he started when uttered
the name OF that woman whom l had
found dead in Rannoch Wood, and whose
body had 80 mysteriously disappeared,
"And what on earth can the woman
concern mei"' he asked, with brave at.
tempt to remain cool, still speaking in
French.
"Only that you knew her." was my
brief reply. Then, with my eyes still
fixed upon his, asked: "Will you not
now request this gentleman to retire"
He hesitated a moment, and then with
wave of his hand dismissed the man
he had summoned to his aid. A mo-
mont later the strangers" personal
protector had disappeared through that
secret door in the paneling by which he
had entered.
"Wellf" asked the Baron, turning
quickly to me again, his dark, evil eyes
trying to fathom my intentions.
"WellH" asked. "And what, pray,
can you profit by dcnouncing me as an
assassinH Remember, Baron, that your
secret is NINE" l said in n clear voice
full of meaning,
"And your intention is blackmail-
chi" he snapped walking to the window