Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1907-11-09

DR.. Starva's own guest?"
Certainly, Or. Starva's friends have
visited him here occasionally"
The chateau is so immense that
one would find It difficult to be sure
that one knew the whereabouts OF all
its rooms"
IF might take the liberty. should
say that your ExCellency would be in
terested in making an inspection OF
the chateau. The view from the tow
ers is superb"
"And these towers are readily &C
cessible?"
Jacques shook his head. Monsieur
has said that the chateau is immense.
One might find it difficult without a
guide"
and you VIII be that guide" ! said
with assurance.
He shook his head still more vigor-
ously. 'Impossiblei Madam would
object Besides. there is Alphonse"
"Alphonse? Who is he?"
He is madam's confidential serv-
ant"
at least you can tell me the way
70 the towers"
4 have never beer to the towers"
the man persisted.
Then the staircase Is concealed ." 7
asked sharply. Irritated at his by
pocrisy.
ct have seen the tapestry near the
gallery move very strangely" he
blurted out.
Captain Forbes. then. was impris-
oned in one OF the towers. The stair
case leading thither was concealed be
hind n secret door hidden by a tapes
try This door was near the gallery.
So far so we'll But I remembered
that there was one central tower.
nanked by three smaller towers. In
which OF them was Captain Forbes
held a prisoner? I came to the point
directly To fence with the fellow was
wasting time.
THE rooms in the towers them
selves must he interesting In me
dieval times they were no doubt used
as dungeons. II there can be dungeons
i'm the air. Tn which of these towers
does Or. Starva usually lodge his
friends2"
I asked the question not without
my man. but for the moment feared
that ] had overshot the mark. lie
poised a tray on his palm and sbumed
hastily 90 the door. as II he were
frightened nc the information he had
already given.
You have forgotten something"
said carelessly. and tapped The notes
on the table re hesitated; then. re
turning. snatched at them
"Nhon ono has assembled the secret
stairway" he said in q low voice. zone
finds oneself in a bare room. That Is
the central tower. 10 rs a triangle I'm
shape AT the corners of the triangle
thore are three doors opening on three
smaller rooms. the dungeons. es MON
sieur calls them. One of these rooms
is The oratory OF madam. Monsieur
knows chat madam as very religious
When madam is not 90 he seen she De-
at her prayers"
Again he seized hts tray. but I had
stin another question Co ask
(which OF these rooms is the ore
tory? And in which does Dr. Starva
iodec Inns friends"
"But monsieur. ! do not know" ne
stammerod. and again seized his tray
you know very wen. N you think"
I commanded
Tie rubbed his nose. O. gesture curl
ously reflective and agitatcd. Tie
turned himself about like a top MS ne
tried. or pretended 20 try. 90 romcm-
Der toward which points OF Che com
pass the various rooms faced.
Monsieur knows that the chateau
itself does not face either south. north.
east or west The oratory is go the
south No; it points 60 The west. The
locked room. Dr. Starya's. that is Go
the east. But no-ruly. your Excel
iency. It IS impossible for me TO re-
member"
Tie fed from the room. the dishes
on his tray rafting in his perturba-
ton
but he had told me much. I knew
that 81 / could find the secret staircase
90 the towers. If could force open
the door behind the tapestry I might
bag both my birds with one shot
Captain Forbes in his prison. or
Madame dc WARMER at her prayers
IL was ali one 90 me.