The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1907-06-14
CHAPTER x.-continued.

formed the eyes OF the ucatn-Hlaski
Ihe mustache of the father made the
eyebrows: and the brow and the eyes
M The boy prince formed the nose and
mouth And more horrible than the
deathmask itself was a wound In the
itemple from which flowed a streak OF
blood
This wound" | asked, shuddering,
4ls n merely a coincidence? The look
of acony-the staring eyes-is that
moant to be n menace, threat OF a
violent death?"
"Can YOU doubt it," demanded
Locke replacing the envelope care
fullv IN his pocketbook THAT death
mask Is regarded by a large portion
~ Feminand's dissatisfied subjects as
a heavenly sign That little stamp,
i venture 10 say. Is death-knell for
Ferdnand--it introduces into Bull
earian politics an awful and solemn
note
"a heavenly sign" I asked. shud.
derlne again. ''But he still lives?"
Yes at present he is in Paris. |
snppose he Is safe there. But when
ne returns to his capital at Sofia"
"And the woman-this Countess
Sarahof Is she one OF the revolution
aries who regard that stamp as a
heavenly sign You told me that
she was supposed TO be the friend OF
Prince Ferdinand"
u did. But is she? She is a WON
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
of Ferdinand. having ready access to
him 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
20 be- Perhaps the kings messenger
does not have two sets OF dispatches
to be presented at his discretion. Per-
haps his death-mask Is a CHASTITY ac-
cident and not menace. Perhaps
Countess Sarahoff, alias Sophie de
I yaraier. is a lamb of innocence. Per
haps But my dear chap. don't trust
tina, perhaps"
Locke rose and pulled on his gloves.
! stared AZ him in sudden comprehen-
sion.
4 understand now. You had more
than one object in coming TO see me
this morning" ! said, soberly
He u, a cigarette. looking down AZ
me In deep thought.
In America the game OF politics is
a fair game and above board. We
show our cards: they are on the table
for an he 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 significant to be made use of.
This pawn may be simple citizen,
even q tourist"
shook the hand he held toward
me and retained II. bewildered.
But that is absurd on the face OF
H. In what possible way could l be
Of use 20 this Countess Sarahoff?"
Locke shrugged his shoulders care
lessly and blew ring of smoke with
precision at the chandelier.
Nothing Is quite absurd he re-
Turned calmly. Two days ago read
~ au unfortunate accident OF a fell
lowcountryman and an old college ac-
quainiance. To-day | am surprised to
find This countryman of mine on ex-
ccllcut terms with a woman whom |
have every reason to believe is a dan
gerous adventures. / come TO see
my iellow-countryman. TO offer him
my sympathy. / remain to warn
him
Bui why?" | demanded, still skep-
Teal
There are three facts that should
make YOU think, Haddon. First OF
all YOU have made the acquaintance
Mortimer Brett. Secondly, Countess
Sarahof has made your acquaintance.
UNDERGRADUATES ME II | am wrong
-she has already interested you;
more than that, venture to say that
You have made an appointment with
her"
Tie looked at me keenly was
silent.
these, my dear Haddon. are sim
PIE facts. Perhaps there is no rela-
ton between them. Again | say, per
maps But don't let the mysterious
machinery OF intrigue catch you In
us meshes. Its wheels may crush
you You have had enough .louble,
ana look out for Countess Sarahoff."
shall try to remember your ad-
ice | said, struggling TO control my
excitement, and placed his visiting
card in my pocket. Yes; l shall see
Son again before | leave Lucerne."
oh, suit yourself about that" said
Locke, coldly.
not until afterwards did IL occur to
me that I had treated him rather
'aNalierly indeed. laid myself open
70 suspicion b. my silence.
CHAPTER xl.