Barbour County index., 1907-08-07


they should have been traced to the
chateau SO easily and so quickly threw
them into CONSERVATION. DIR. Starva
was the first to recover his presence
of mind.
Whom does he wish to see this
time?" he demanded harshly.
HE asks for his Excellency, the
English ambassador" replied the serv-
ant, looking at me askance. "But If
he is engaged, or not well, he is anx-
ious to speak with madam"
At first was surprised that the
man had not brought the card direct
ly to myself It was strange that he
should ignore me if he had been given
to understand that was Sir Mortimer.
But if he were in the confidence of
Madame de Varnier he would do pre-
cisely that.
Frankly, the coming of Captain
Forbes at this time was surprise
scarcely less disagreeable for me than
for them. Tomorrow, or the day
after, he would have been perhaps
only too welcome. But now the intru-
sion was premature. It interfered
with my own plans as well as theirs.
More than that, could have wished
myself in position to forewarn him,
to explain my tactics. 1t looked as If
l were again in danger of being caught
red-handed in criminal deception.
More than ever would Captain Forbes
be convinced that I was one 6 the
conspirators If he discovered at this
moment that I was not Sir Mortimer.
The man and woman conversed to-
gether excitedly in a barbaric tongue.
DR.. Starva, it was evident, was vehe-
mently advocating some plan; Madame
de Varnier opposing it. But the shock
to which she had been subjected pre-
vious to the coming of Captain Forbes
had left her unstrung, almost apa-
| thetic. Hitherto the man had been
sulkily subservient to the woman; now
his animal strength fought for the
ascendency. He was brushing away
her agitated protests. 1t was he who
commanded the servant:
'Show this Captain Forbes to the
armory. I shall see him myself"
Again he spoke fiercely to Madame
de Varnier. She listened to him in
silence, her eyes cast down. He
strobe to the door, stood there a mo-
ment hesitating, then left the room,
shutting the door behind him.
Madame de Varnier remained where
he had left her, trembling violently,
her hands covering her face. This
was my opportunity to appeal to the
woman, and not the adventures.
took her unresisting hand and led her
to one of the carved seats.
Madame de Varnier, it is a desper-
ate game you are playing" said,
sternly yet gently. 'I don't know what
the stakes are, but you are not going
to win them"
A white hand clung to my coat
sleeve. "Why do you say that?" she
cried, staring at me with affrighted
eyes.
I pointed silently to the card she
still held in her hand.
There is one factor to be reckoned
with
She tossed her head in defiance.
'Dr. Starva has reckoned with him al.
ready, my friend. Perhaps not in the
best way, but effectually at least. And
the other?"
"We2, there is myself"
She smiled on me wanIy. IF you
were an enemy that might be more Sc
rious, I admit. But I have reckoned
with you. You are to be my friend.
You are to help me-"
Srrhof - h.
third and most serious factor is treach-
cry" added quietly.
my God! Treachery!"
do you trust DR.. Starva absolute
ly? Dare you tell me that the death
mask had as little meaning for him as
for you, until showed you that sig
nificance?"
"But you understood its meaning as
well as he. Who are you that you
should have this knowledge?"
Il know, perhaps, more than you
think, Madame de Varnfer."
1T is incredible" she cried passion.
ately, that I, the Countess Sarahoff,
should be in the dark, while an Amer
ican tourist"
AC AduuO AdQ ollppCu Out III uST al.
ger; she bit her lips.
"Oh, you need feel no CONSERVATION.
I might haye called you by that name
several hours ago."
''Since you know so much" she said
in bitter disgust, perhaps you know
the service expect to ask of you"
Il might make shrewd guess at
even that"
She sank back, her fingers inter-
locked supporting her head. She re-
mained some time in gloomy thought.
Suddenly door slammed. I heard
faint shout; a tramplng of feet.
Then there was quiet again. glanced
at my companion. She was listening
intently, her hands clutching the
carved arms of the seat.
Bah, think / am a hysterical
schoolgirl" She shrugged her shoul-
ders in self-contempt. Say that you
q u