Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1907-11-23

tuaN udu nOl- ana even nae WlSneQ
TO tell the lie she would have contra
dicted me.
And now he had caught me red
handed at the safe. He would draw
his conclusions swiftly 1t would be
{ absurd TO Suppose that l should know
the combination of the safe. merely
as Madame de varnier's guest. A
hostess does not vouchsafe to her
guest the key of her strong box. II
were not Sir Mortimer. 1 must be in
league with Madame de WARMER and
DR.. Starya
That was the conclusion he must ar
rive at. To tell him the absolute truth
that by one chance out OF ten thou
sand l had stumbled on the combina-
tion-would only deepen his convic-
ton as to my guilt.
And Helena? What would she
think? Would her faith In me be so
strong that she would believe me?
Had Captain Forbes not surprised me
at this moment my guessing OF the rid
| die OF the safe would have seemed
miraculous indeed. but the fact that
had the papers. and could place them
In her hands 20 be destroyed. would
support my story readily enough.
But I dare not give TO her these
papers before Captain Forbes and
Madame de Varnier2 II seemed to me
that the kings messenger OF all per
sons must not know OF Sir Mortimer's
guilt For though the papers. the
! proof. was in our possession. the fact
/ remained And IL Captain Forbes
| knew that l was not Sir Mortimer
/ Brett, but an impostor, would he not
| demand those papers? And having
/ them, would he not read them?
And Madame de WARMER? To what
extremes would she not go in her
| rage? Now she believed that in some
way had been cOgnizant of Captain
Forbes escape. and had gone 70 the
room containing the safe TO give him
assistance. But when she knew. as
| she must presently. that 1 had taken
i the papers from the safe could not
/ doubt that she would not submit meek
| -. She would have her revenge. both
on Helena aud on myself She would
insist on telling Captain Forbes Of Sir
| Mortimers guilt.
He would demand from me the pa
| pers and my cleverness would have
| gone for nothing. For the mind OF
| Forbes moved in an obstinate channel.
| Duty 20 him was a soldiers first i'm
/ pulse. In doing what he thought his
| duty, he would sacrifice all. Not Hell
/ ena's tears. nor my own entreatles.
/ would prevent him from hurrying
back 20 Downing street with the
proofs Of Sir Mortimer's guilt.
For some seconds after we had
reached the large anteroom. the three
! OF us stood like so many wax figures.
Each Of us had ample reason TO feel
IN at ease.
Il haveShe honor 20 report 20 your
| Excellency." said Forbes at length I'm
voice that was admirably controlled
| despite his Indignation. that the sec
| ond Dispatch dispatch OF profound
/ Importance, as ! warned your Excel
] lency at Vitznau-was stolen from me
last night May I express the hope
that your Excellcncy has received it?"
NO" l said calmly Il was time to
put an end TO this game Of cross-pur-
poses.
Then possibly madam can enlighten
you as 20 its whereabouts"
Il. your Excellency? Oh. moi" She
swept me a hooking courtesy. Il am
not so deeply in your Excellency's
| counsel"
My patience. Sir Mortimer" cried
Forbes, breaking into direct speech.
has its limits. ! see You at Lucene
only with the greatest difficulty I
warn you OF the grave purport of a
| dispatch which / am unable TO deliver
K TO you because OF your condition. The
next morning. when / would see you.
you have disappeared again. trace
| you here with difficulty. When for the
third time l attempt 70 deliver this
dispatch, am held captive; the dis
patch is forcibly taken from me. When
! ask you II you have received II. you
| give me an Indifferent answer. I dare
| not believe that you are so far lost to
| your sense OF duty that you counte-
nance these violent acts o. a bandit.
| But must insist"
He paused abruptly. ! thought Il
because he realized that his anger had
! carried him too far. But when l
! looked where he looked, saw Helena
Brett.
Miss Brettl" he exclaimed in
panied surprise. q am sorry to see
you here"
And I am infinitely relieved, though
bewildered. to find you. Captain
Forbes" She extended him her hand.
| smiling wanly.
but you will help me TO make your
brother realize the danger OF further
misunderstanding" he said gently, his
anger at my indifference vanishing at
/ sight of her pale and haggard counte-
/ nance.
my brother. Captain Forbes. is
dead. He lies in that ROOM" she an
swered firmly. though her lips trem-
/ bled.
She had made her decision. She.
too. was determined at all hazards not
to act lie.
z AS for Captain Forbes, he was dumb
with establishment. His eyes widened
with dismay and concern. But though
he did not speak his startled glance
dwelt on me.
Mr.. Haddon is my loyal friend"
said Helena, interpreting his look. At
the same time she treasured me with
quiet smile that more than her words
l.