The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1907-09-14
CHAPTER x.-contInued,

noStrils OF the two heads together
formed the eyes OF the death-mask
Hhe mustache of the father made tn,
eyebrows; and the brow and the eye,
Tof the boy prince formed the nose ant
mouth. And more horrible than thu
'death-mask itself was a wound in the
temple. from which flowed a streak o.
blood.
This wound" asked, shuddering
lis 1t merely a coincidence? The lool
-of agony-the staring eyes-is thai
meant to be q menace, a threat of 9
violent death?"
Can you doubt it?" demanded
Locke. replacing the envelope care
fully in his pocketbook. THAT death
mask Is regarded by a large portion
of Ferdinand's dissatisfied subjects a
"A heavenly sign That little stamp
a venture to say, is a death-knell for
Ferdinand-it introduces into Bull
sgarian politics an awful and solemn
note"
"a heavenly signr" asked, shud.
@dering again. But he still lives?"
Yes: at present he Is In Paris.
suppose he is safe there. But when
he returns to his capital at Sofia"
And the woman-this Countess
sSarahoff, Is she one Of the revolution.
aries who regard that stamp as q
heavenly signr You told me that
sshe was supposed to be the friend of
Prince Ferdinand"
II 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
1sh Macedonia? Is she ignorant of the
existence or at least the significance
OF this stamp? Or, posing as 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
TO be. Perhaps the kings messenger
does not have two sets of dispatches
to be presented at his discretion. Per.
7haps this death-mask Is a CHASTITY &C
-cident and not a menace. Perhaps
Countess Sarahoff, alias Sophie de
WARMER, is a lamb of innocence. Per-
haps! But, my dear chap. don't trust
that perhaps"
Locke rose and pulled on his gloves.
i stared at him In sudden comprehen-
sion.
II understand now. You had more
than one object in coming to see me
this morning" said, soberly.
He lit a cigarette, looking down at
me in deep thought.
I'm America the game of politics Is
- fair game and above board. We
SHOW our cards: they are on the table
Tor all the world to see. The very
tfrankness Of our methods puzzles the
diplomats of Europe. Here In Europe
things are managed differently. There
ARE wheels within wheels. No pawn
is too Insignificant to be made use Of
This pawn may be q simple citizen,
oven tourist"
/ shook the hand he held toward
me. and retained II, bewildered.
"But that Is absurd on the face Of
1t. In what possible way could 10
of use to this Countess Sarahoff?"
Locke shrugged his shoulders care
1essly. and blew a ring of smoke with
precision at the chandelier.
Nothing is quite absurd" he re-
turned, calmly. 1.-TWO days ago read
of an unfortunate accident Of q fell
low-countryman and an old college &C.
quaintance. To-day am surprised to
md this countryman of mine on ex-
cellent terms with woman whom /
have every reason to believe Is a dan
gerous adventures. I come to see
my fellow-countryman, to offer him
my sympathy. remain to warn
him."
But whyr' demanded. still skep-
tical.
There are three facts that should |
make you think, Haddon. First Of |
al, you have made the acquaintance |
of the mother and the sister of Sir |
Mortimer Brett. Secondly, Countess
Saraho6 has made your acquaintance.
Thirdly-contradict me II / am wrong |
-she has already interested you;
more than that. venture to say that
you have made an appointment with
her,"
He looked at me keenly. was
silent.
These, my dear Haddon, are SIM
pie facts. Perhaps there Is no rela-
lion between them Again say, per-
haps.' But don't let the mysterious
Of intrigue catch you in
it, meshes. Its wheels may crush
rou- You have had enough trouble.
md look out for Countess Sarahon."
II shall try to remember your adj
dee" said. struggling to control my
excitement. and placed his visiting
ard in my pocket. Yes: shall see
rou again before leave Lucerne."
"Oh. suit yourself about that" said
.ocke coldly.