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


table such as one sometimes sees in
the refectory Of a monastery. Half
a dozen chairs stood against the walls.
I placed two Of these chairs near the
table
Not here" she cried. glancing to-
ward the little room we had left
And why not2' Here at least we
shall be free from interruption"
She went 20 the door OF the stair
case.
'It Is locked" she cried. startled.
Yes. I have taken the precaution OF
seeing that we are not disturbed" I
said calmly. Now. madam. In which
Of those two rooms is Captain Forbes
a prisoner"
II my knowledge surprised her. she
concealed her chagrin cleverly. She
gesticulated 70 the room at the right
OF the oratOry.
And perhaps the key Of the stair
case unlocks that door as well2"
She shook her head. smiling at me
defianuy.
Has your servant the key"
'No."
Then. where is it?"
Women are supposed not 20 have
pockets. But can hide key about
my person as we'll as you. How did
you find your way here"
Il surprised Alphonse opening the
door OF the staircase behind the tapes
try"
All. you are clever. knew IT," she
cried approvingiy.
This IS no time for compliments.
Captain Forbes must be released"
And ~ I refuse2"
Il shall insist"
VERY well. I refuse"
I looked my perplexity. Though we
were so near the chamber OF death.
with the facile itght-heartedness Of the
Latin race she banished fits grim mem
ory. This woman had nerves OF steel.
She moved in callous Indifference from
tragic scenes 20 those % hippant com
edy. or perhaps she saw the useless
ness OF enracing me.
II I compel YOU forcibiy-"
DO American gentlemen assault
their hcstesses2"
She had me az a complete disad-
vantage. To carry out nay threat was
impossible
Come. madam. let us come 20
terms"
Gladly. monsieur" She swept me
a mock courtesy.
And they are?'
"He shall walk out of the chateau
when you have heard my story"
Even n I refuse 90 help you2"
She hesitated a moment Yes" she
promised with a sigh
I put no great faith In that promise.
Nothing was simpler than for her 70
promise. But II presently she still re-
fused. I could resort 20 extreme meas
ures then as readily as now. II Cap
tain Forbes was indeed a prisoner OF
Madame De WARMER. and she actually
did have In her possession the key
that would open the door Of his prison.
held Madame de WARMER equally at a
disadvantage
He is unframed. them"
a scratch or two. perhaps But 20
a brave soldier q is nothing. He is a
tactless visitor. your Captain Forbes.
] confess that the methods OF Dr. star
va are not too delicate In hnesse But
since he has committed the blunder
OF OBTAINING him. I prefer not 20 make
II worse by releasing him-just yet"
/ accepted her decision in silence
Il could have wished you in a more
favorable mood. monsieur" she said
wistfully. Il am afraid you will listen
20 me as a judge rather than as a
friend"
BE sure OF this: IL am 20 help you
II Will be only 20 save you perhaps
from the consequences Of your folly"
Myself" she protested passionate
ly. "MercIful Heaven, am not think
ing of myself Sometimes the indi-
vidual must be sacrificed to save a
race. Did Joan Of ARC or Charlotte
.Corday think Of themselves? Life,
honor-everything- sacrifice them a
thousand times 70 save my country"
She was no longer the saint praying
for the dead at the altar. A fierce en-
ergy possessed her. Her words filled
me with something akin 10 horror.
She extolled a murderess. Were her
own hands red with murder?
1t is the price l must pay" she con-
tinued gloomily. Il pay II without
murmuring. II / were a man / should
be fghting for my poor people with
the sword. / am a weak woman.
must fight with a woman's weapons.
Sometimes those weapons have been
spying even what you might call
treachery. Say that you despise me-"
The story" l cried. Your prelude.
madam, Is not fortunate"
She shook her head YEARLY. Did
she despair already of my aid?
Nevertheless, say these weapons
are sometimes necessary in my IN
equal fight for an oppressed race.
When / use them against enemies, far
from feeling remorse or pity, glory
In causing pain But sometimes there
crosses my path one whom / respect,
who is generous and strong. IL is
then that l shudder at the suffering 1
must cause. But 7 do not spare him,
however brave and generous he may
be"
Such a one was Sir Mortimer
Brett" ! interrupted sternly
For my country l glory that Sir
Mortimer has stopped 10 dishonor. For
my country you must bear the burden
OF his dlShcpQr -