The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1907-12-21
CHAPTER xxx.-continued.

prisoned in the room yonder. 1t TOOK
me three hours to loosen the bar OF
the window. I made my way round
the sloping roof Of the towers by the
stone gutter to the window OF that
other room The window was open.
When I gained 1t, and was about to
enter ii, / saw this man, whom / be-
lieved to be your brother, enter the
room, bolt the door behind him, kneel
at the safe. open it, and abstract from
1T packet of papers which he now
has In his pocket"
II Forbes had expected Helena to
be dumfounded at this surprising
news, his wish was gratified. But 1t
was wonder tempered with infinite JOY
The papers that convicted her brother
of guilt had been rescued from the
cruel clutch of Madame de WARMER.
She did not realize at once that had
.steered clear of Charybdis only to fall
foul to Scylla. The peril OF Sir Nor
timers guilt being known was now in
ifinitely greater than 1t had been half
an hour ago. Helena's defense of my
self, and Madame de WARMERS untime-
iy interruption, had both alienated all
sympathy from Helena and strength
ened his conviction that / was one OF
the conspirators.
II had kept silent so long. II 1t
seems unmanly that should have al
lowed a woman to plead in my behalf
lit is because I was racking my brain
for a means of escape from the awk-
ward predicament that held me cap
tive.
II have told you, Captain Forbes,
that / have ample reason to believe In
the honesty of Mr. Haddon. II he has
taken any papers from the safe, 1t is
with my fullest and deepest gratitude
It was the woman there who had
stolen them from my brother. They
are personal papers. They concern
only my mother and myself now that
Mortimer is dead. Mr.. Haddon Will
restore them TO me-"
II shall forbid that" protested
Forbes hotIy. Il tell you, Miss Brett,
those are papers of State. They be-
long to the State. l must see that
they are placed in the hands OF the
ministers of the Foreign Once. For
the last time, give me those papers"
leaped at the loophole Helena had
offered me. If l could not prevent
their falling into the hands of Forbes,
at least / could delay that dire event.
81 shall obey you. Miss Brett Into
your hands alone shall l place those
papers"
IF you please" she said with dig
nifty, and held out hand that did not
tremble to receive them.
And still / hesitated- / saw the
CLEAN of resolution in the glitter OF
Forbes blue eyes. If l produced the
paper now it would be only to have
the kings messenger snatch them
from my grasp. Forbes turned Il
Helena in angry triumph.
You see, Miss Brett, he hesitates
The woman and himself are as reluct
ant that the papers fall into YOU
hands as they are that l obtain them
He thinks that he may trick you. al
he has already once tricked me. Il
there nothing I can say to shake you
blind confidence in this treacherou'
impostor?"
Nothing" said Helena, with resolu
ton: but could see her troubled sur
prise at my reluctance.
Then / shall be forced to resort Il
violence. I am going to have thos'
papers, and at once. II you are 81
blind to the grave danger of lettinI
this man keep the papers, even for tn
moment, am not. How could b
have taken them from the safe unles
fl we're with the permission and pei
haps at the entreaty of this Madam
de Varnier?"
THE inference Is clear enough,
should think-she must have left tn
door of the safe open"
Helena spoke confidently, Tut trus
in me had been put to sore test.
Your credulity is very great II 20
think that. Why, madam, saw hir
deliberately work the combination {
the safe"
Helena uttered cry of horror Q
my supposed treachery. Her trust wa
shattered.
Il could not dream of villainy 6
hypocritical."
Instinctively she came close
Forbes side as If for protection. 81
had read in my eyes that Forbes spoil
the truth. No words Of mine coul
convince her now of my sincerity.
Madame de WARMER had been quii
forgotten by US all Until now 81
had been listening in breathless I
lence Forbes declaration that hs
taken the papers must have SCENE
to her the sheerest absurdity. 81