The citizen. [volume] (Berea, Ky.) 1899-1958, 1907-12-26
CHAPTER XIX.-continued.


snce? When the castle was stormed.
as Il were. by gendarnes? My own
peril would be extreme.
II was hopeless to prevent the in
evitable. The rescue of Captain
Forbes would be accomplished; my
completely in the intr.gues Of DIR.
Starva and Madame de WARMER would
be taken for granted. Expostulauons
would be useless. My very presence
IN the chateau would be face evidence
of my guilt.
And so had played my desperate
game TO no purpose.
To save myself-that was my one
thought. Two courses lay before me.
Could make my way to Captain
Forbes? Could l effect his release be-
fore Helena returned with help? II
that were possible, and II l could
hastily make my position clear to the
kings messenger all might yet be
we'll. At least so far as the establish
ment of my innocence was concerned.
Or | might overtake Helena Brett
To her might make my confession.
And II she were persuaded, not only
that I was acting in her interests, but
that my plan to clear up Sir Morti-
mer's disappearance promised success,
I might even now be successful.
Il was my fear that she would scorn-
fully refuse both 20 believe my story
and to accept my aid that made me
hesitate as to this course.
II was DR.. Starva who decided for
me
He had appeared on the terrace be
low. and he was following Helena
Brett
had read Captain Forbes's message
as well as Helena. Why, then, could
There not have been a third person
Interested in the strange antics of the
mirror? And II this surmise were
true? II DR.. Starva or Madame de
WARMER had read the message? They
had not hesitated to use desperate ex-
pedients to gain their purpose. Would
DR.. Starva hesitate TO use means as
desperate to prevent Helena from
suUmoning help?
asked myself this startling ques-
tion as l took the stairs two at time
20 the great hall. The main entrance
was locked. For a moment ] thought
that | was q prisoner in the chateau a.
we'll as Captain Forbes. Even now
ana not certain that such was not the
intention OF Madame de WARMER. But
DR.. Starva had gained the terrace by
q small door close by the spiral stair.
case. In his haste he had forgotten to
lock this door.
Desperate as was my own haste
took the precaution of locking the sids
door after me and placing the key ia
my pocket. My reasons for this wei
vague enough. Il was an instinct that
prompted me to take the precaution
rather than deliberate reflection. But
perhaps might be able to regain the
chateau in due time by this side en-
trance. and none be the wiser For
as far as ! knew / had effected my
exit unobserved.
In the meanwhile | ran swiftly after
Helena and DR.. Starva. had lost
sight OF both soon came to an end
Of the promenade. II led directly into
the main street OF the village Now
that / had gained the village street l
booked eagerly about for them. Neither
was in sight. / guessed that Helena
Brett would make her way as soon as
possible to the hotel where she was
hnown What hotel? That was the
question.
halted an urchin and asked hin
the name of the best hotel in Alter
hcffen "Oh, the Grand hotel" he an
sNered without hesitation; that is
where all the English lords and Amer
icRn milllonaires stay"
Then let him take me hither;
tempted hmm with a franc.
Evidently the gentleman is in a
hurrY."
assured him that was, and prom
ised him two francs II could reach
the hotel before a lady whom l was
following
Then, the gentleman must GO by
the short cut"
sped after the urchin down the vii
lage street.
This street is one of the most quaint
III NAt WuOiC NoiAus lntIC arc lNO
stories of shops on either side. The
pavement of the shops below is rooted
over; this covered passageway is the
pavement for the second series of
shops above. was on the lower pave
mont, and this explains how 1 was
able to reach flight of steps. the cut
the youngster had promised, before
Helena or DIR. S.arva.
At the foot OF these steps the young
ster bolted. assuring me that / should
md the hotel when had reached the
cop of the flight.
These steps pierced a wall OF one
OF the houses Of the village street
The fight was straight for the first
20 or SO. then IL turned curiously on
a little landing at right angles. Here
i was In semi-darkness. CROPPED my
way for the continuance of the flight
Phe firsy series of steps, began to see
dimly. had ended at a sort of porter's
lodge. l learned afterwards that this
Nas a private entrance to the hotel