Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1907-11-16

Snc SAID, Cooily.
said? u seemed incredible that the
heart OF this noble gentleman had
been black with guile. The face. pal
lid In death. had the majesty OF death.
II had. too. that same noble serenity
That had 50 impressed me when first
saw Helena Brett.
My reflections were rudely disturb
ed. a sudden blow struck on the door
Of the staircase shocked me into tardy
heed OF Madame de WARMER.
She was giving her message to Al
phonse after all. She had taken my
hint OF making herself heard through
the closed door. II was a short mes
sage. had not understood one word
OF H. Though she had raised her voice
almost 90 a shout she had doubtless
spoken In her native tongue. she re-
seated herself complaisantly. offering
me her cigarette case
Now ! am ready. monsieur. for our
little affair"
The sooner II is over the better"
said. irritated that she had stolen a
march on me.
Are you familiar with the hand.
writing OF Sir Mortimer Brett?"
She had opened a drawer OF the ia
BILE at which we sat caught the
sheen OF a japanned box.
NO" ! said. pretending that I had
not seen the box. II the proofs OF
sir MortImer's dishonor were in that
dispatch box II would not be many
minutes before had destroyed them
q 10
useful as an original" she said cooIly.
and. placing the box on the table. she
unlocked it with a little key that hung
at her chatelaine. She took out OF the
dispatch box two envelopes. Their
shape and bulk suggested wildly the
packets that she and Or. Starva had
been examining In the hotel at Vitz-
nau.
Evidently you think me a very
trusting person." I sneered. NO.
madame. am not quite so callow as
that A copy may be forged. Per
haps you are as clever with the pen
as Or. Starva. Show me the originals
or nothing"
You wrong me-" she protested
mockingly. And you wrong yourself.
am not SO stupid as 10 expect you TO
take these typewriter copies for
granted. Nor am l so stupid as 10
trust the originals in your hands You
might destroy them, for instance"
Again II looks like a deadlock. The
burden of proof lies with yourself. AS
you say. I am not familiar with the
handwriting Of Sir Mortimer. Who is
10, oh To- 70.
"one whose word you will scarcely
doubt-the sister of Sir Mortimer"
raised my clenched hand. Her
cruel smile made me for the moment
forget her sex. II she had been a man
/ think ! could have killed her then.
Then. that was your message. You
have sent for herr"
She viii be waiting In the music
room below. II is for you to say II
she Is 20 be spared the ordeal. You
Will cause her the suffering, not l."
lowered my hands slowly Il have
laughed at the old doctrine of the per-
sonality OF the devil. / believe IL now.
Show me the papers"
Let US understand each other first
In this envelope are copies of certain
| dispatches and notes made by Sir Nor
timer. The originals are in a safe
that Is in the third room yonder. You
VIII examine these copies. II will be
for you TO determine whether Miss
Brett is 10 be the final arbiter OF Sir
Mortimer's guilt or innocence"
And II refuse to call on Miss
( Brett?"
Sooner or later she shall see these
| papers"
| What advantage will that be to you
when / have failed to be a partner to
your nefarious intrigues
Il shall be revenged on you, mon.
/ sieur." Her eyes glittered. And my
revenge viii be profitable. The Rus
sian or Austrian governments would
pay long price for the papers In the
safe, NJ. Coward"
Il will give you your own price for
them said hoarsely
And be robbed OF my revenge?
They are beyond price Come. you
weary me with questions. Are you
ready for the proofs?"
One moment These dispatches