The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1907-09-28
CHAPTER xIll.-continued.

Oner. Inc FISK udu iun W n
them would be to no purpose unless
could surprise them at their nights
work.
ragged at my impotence. Then
Thought of the window. Perhaps there
was balcony.
There was no blind at the WINDOW,
but wooden shutters that fastened
with a catch. pushed open the
French windows. Yes, there was the
balcony. and to my Joy l saw that II
extended the length OF the SUITE
And now a new difficulty stared me
IN the face. At any moment tney
| might enter the bedroom, and when
had gained the balcony, outside the
salon. would shutters prevent my see
ing within? ..
As to the first risk / must take II.
The door had jammed before;
would Jam again. The noise made IN
onening It would give me some warn
ing.
| gained the balcony; there were
shutters, but / could see reaohy
through the ihterstices.
II was the apartment we had nrst
entered: and it bore unmistakaple
signs of having been minutely ran
sacked. A large empire desk had been
pr,ed omen. Papers had been abstract
ed from the drawers and pigeonholes;
they lay about in confusion. In more
than one place the carpet had peen
torn up at the edges.
AS | peered cautiously within, DR..
starva was lowering the Venetian
blind of another window. Evidently
: they were searching the room with
, the knowledge that an article OF value
e was hidden there.
o heard Madame de WARMER cry out
l. excitedly. A packet, concealed De.
h tween the Stats of Venetian blind,
q had fallen to the floor.
without a doubt 1t was fO- this
:. packet of papers that they had been
searching. Madame de WARMER tore
a the envelope in feverish haste. She
c scanned the contents OF the papers
Is with intense. eagerness, Dr. Starva
y, looking over her shoulder. AS they
IN read. their faces expressed disap
ly pointment and chagrin. DIR. Starva
w questioned Madame de WARMER repeat
!, edly. She put aside his fierce inquiries
:. with impatience.s
And now made a second discovery
~ thought understood the meaning
al of this extraordinary plot in comins
is to the hotel at Vitznau. had guessed
to long since that l bore sufficient.
Is, striking resemblance to Sir Mortime
mt Brett to deceive at least the first cas-
ia ual glance Otherwise, why the amaze
10, ment OF the Bretts and Madame q
-, WARMER in first seeing me? How els
'1 could / explain the events OF tn
night? They had drugged me, or a
tempted to do SO, that / might
oblivicus to inconvenient inquiries
iii greetings. The hat and cloak OF 81
or. Mortimer, which DR.. Starva had pr
n. cured in some manner, were unusui
enough in character to be readily re
an ognized by the servants of the hote
'n' Sir Mortimer was known to be III, an
ay. my condition would arouse no su
'"- picion.
nes All the facts as swiftly reviewe
ne. them fitted neatly. The inference W;
en- unmistakable:
hat This was the suite of Sir AIortim
ad. Brett. They had come for the pack
Ia of papers they were now reading. II
presence of Sir Mortimer Brett WI
them had gained them ready adm
MY sion to his rooms.
her Ana now that thev had found L
der papers?
me Had served my purpose? Was {
hat invitation to Madame de Varnie
,wn chateau a ruse cleverly planned 81
IN. NV to bring me to this hotel as
ION Mortimer?
In that case I must be alert tt
they did not slip through my han
"'s leaving me here in Sir Mortime
rooms to explain my predicament
the morrow as best might.
IN Or was this the prelude to other
no ventures even more exciting? "
=, the game only just begun?
Still / watched them intently. VIII
'io' these perplexing questions demand
nus an answer. They had finished the
the pers now DR.. Starva was seated
D is sullen gloom; Madame de Warn
Y Of glided to and fro in angry indecisio
a of A loud knock on the door open
nces into the hall startled me almost
work mucn as tneinseiVes mouo
:. ;, nier thrust the papers into the Dos
of her dress; then, while DR.. Starvs
reu' a sign from her answered the s.
mons, she hastily restored the room
re 1t outward signs of order.
most What is it? Who is there?" Sta
demanded in an agitated voice.
ut is Henri the concierge" rep
10 the intruder.
t all Tomorrow, tomorrow"
they But there Is an English gentlel
| -o~~~ that he rurct coQ his Esy