The citizen. [volume] (Berea, Ky.) 1899-1958, 1907-11-07
CHAPTER x.-contlnued.

ly portent was wildly suggested. The
nOstrils of the two heads together
formed the eyes Of the death-mask;
the mustacfe of the father made the
eyebrows; xnd the brow and the eyes
OF the boy prince formed the nose and
mouth. And more horrible than the
death-mask itself was a wound In the
temple, from which flowed a streak Of
blood.
This wound" / asked, shuddering,
lis 1t merely coincidence? The look
OF agony--the staring eyes-is that
meant TO be a menace, a threat of a
violent death?"
Can you doubt it," demanded
Locke, replacing the envelope care
fully in his pocketbook That death
mask is regarded by a large portion
Of Ferdinand's dissatisfied subjects as
heavenly sign That little stamp.
venture to say. is death-knell for
Ferdinand-it introduces into Bull
garian politics an awful and solemn
note
"A heavenly signT" asked. shud-
dering again. But he still livesT
Yes; at present he is in Paris.
suppose ne is safe there. But when
he returns TO his capital at Sofia"
And the woman-thls Countess
Sarahof, Is she one OF the revolution
aries who regard that stamp as a
heavenly signr You told me that
she was supposed to be the friend of
Prince Ferdinand"
- d ok hn L.
an OF mystery. Is she really in earn
est in seeking to entrap Sir Mortimer
into influencing England TO stand be-
hind Bulgaria in her invasion of Turk
ish Macedonia! Is she ignorant Of the
existence or at least the significance
OF this stamp Or, posing as a friend
o, Ferdinand, having ready access to
rim at any hour, will hers be the dag
ger plunged into his breast at the
fatal hour? Perhaps Sir Mortimer is
not the guileless victim we think him
to be. Perhaps the kings messenger
does not have two sets of dispatches
90 be presented at his discretion. Per
haps this death-mask is a CHASTITY ac-
cldent and not a menace. Perhaps
Countess Sarahoff. alias Sophie de
WARMER is lamb OF innocence. Per.
haps! But, my dear chap. don't trust
that perhaps"
Locke rose and pulled on his gloves.
stared at him in sudden comprehen-
sion.
Il understand now. You had more
than one object in coming to see me
this morning" / said. soberly.
He lit a cigarette. looking down at
me in deep thought
'gn America the game OF politics is
fair game and above board. We
show our cards; they are on the table
for all the world to see. The very
frankness OF our methods puzzles the
diplomats Of Europe. Here in Europe
things are managed differently. There
are wheels within wheels. No pawn
Is too Insignificant 10 be made use Of.
This pawn may be a simple citizen.
even a tourist"
shook the hand ne held toward
me, and retained il. bewildered.
"But that lie absurd on the face of
IT, In what possible way could I be
OF use TO this Countess Sarahoff?"
Locke shrugged his shoulders care
lessly. and blew a ring Of smoke with
precision at the chandelier.
Nothing is quite absurd" he re-
turned. calmly Two days ago read
OF an unfortunate accident OF a fell
low-countryman and an old college ac-
quaintance. To-day am surprised to
find this countryman of mine on ex-
III 4. n
have every reason 10 believe Is a dan
gerous adventures. come to see
my fellow-countryman. to offer him
my sympathy. I remain to warn
him"
But why7" demanded, still skep-
ucai.
There are three facts that should
make you think. Haddon. First of
all, you have mate the acquaintance
OF the mother and the sister of Sir
Mortimer Brett. Secondly. Countess
Sarahoff has made your acquaintance.
rhlrdly-oontradict me II am wrong
she has already interested you;
more than that, venture to say that
you have made an appointment with
her"
He looked at me keeniy. was
silent.
These, my dear Haddon. arc sim
pie facts, Perhaps there is no rela--
ton between them. Again,I say, per
laps But don't let the mysterious
machinery Of intrigue catch you in
Its meshes. It's wheels may crush
you. You have had enough trouble.
and look out for Countess Sarahoff."
81 shall try to remember your ad.
vice" said. struggling to control my
excitement. and placed his visiting
card in my pocket. Yes; | shall see
you again before ] leave Lucerne"
oh, suit yourself about that" said
Locke. coldly. ~
Not until afterwards did II occur 10
me that ] had tretted him rather
avallerly-lndeed. laid myself opeA
% suspicion by my silence.
- CHAPTER X,
csgn,ess saranoff Gives an Invitation.