The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1907-09-21

marily dismissed. But before he left
rs the servant insisted on whispering
10 Dr.. Starva these words. which No
dorhted startled him az much As they
did me:
The sister Of his Exceilency II n
the hotel. Shall l tell her that"
DR.. Starva clutched the shoulder Of
his Informant, and held him in . fierce,
use-like grip.
Thrice times stubborn fooli" he
zrowled, what concern II II to Mr..
HaddoD that the sister Of Sir MORT.
mer Brett Is at this hotel? Certainly
you win not tell her."
He thrust his specialized, pallid face
close to that Of the trembling servant.
Then releasing him suddenly, he
pushed him without. the little con-
cierge rubbing his shoulder ruefuliy.
Immediately he regretted this un.
necessary violence. He stepped out
into the corridor, and I guessed that
he had smoothed the injured vanity Of
the gold-laced ohiciai with moro Of the
crisp notes.
He had scarcely entered the room
again before he admitted Madame de
~Varnier. and again the key was turned.
They lost no time in vain talk or
congratulations on the success OF their
trick, whatever its meaning might be.
DIR. Starva half led, half carried me
into bedroom adjoining. There
was put to bed with as little cere-
mony as a helpless infant IL disposed
OF for the night For q moment Starva
looked down on me grimly. Then he
disappeared. closing the door care
fully behind hmm.
Now. indeed, understood why
Helena Brett and her mother had been
so startled when first they had seen
newly Madame de WARMER had
shown herself no less concerned-why
l had caught DR.. Starva spying on me
why it was plotted that should be.
drugged and brought hither in this
melodramatic fashion.
In the worlds history there have
been many instances Of men playing
the pretender, but certainly none
more innocent than myself. I should
be dense indeed now did fail to COM
prehend everything-.from Madame de
WARMERS first greeting. to the episode
of the cloak and hat.
/ recalled the woman's ghastly de-
spair when she had read the telegram
In the kursaal. He is dead" she had
repeated over and over.
Sir Mortimer Brett, minister pleni-
potentiary at the court of Sofa. was
dead. The adventures for some pur-
pose Of their own. not yet to BE-
guessed, had deliberately planned that
be mistaken for him at this hotel.
That the ambassador was dead was
a bitter disappointment to my hopes.
The opportunity to fulnll the task that
Helena had given me was not to be
mine after all. And now that knew
that, what further excuse had / to be
Is clay in the hands Of these people!
was tempted to burst into the room.
there. to prick the bubble Of then In
trigue.
But II I did that. though might baf
he the execution of their plans, l
should be utterly ignorant as to the
nature Of those plans. The danger to
myself in continuing to play the role
If accomplice was very great. The Of
icers Of the law would not be so touch
ngiy simple as to believe that l was
lbetting the plans of this precious
couple only with q view Of bringing
hem to final justice.
But much more alarming than posi-
lie danger to myself was the fact that !
Helena Brett was In this hotel.
Before morning a cruel but Just
nance might bring us face to face,
md in her eyes / should stand con-
'icted OF the grossest viliainy With |
liabolical cunning. DR.. Starva had In |
listed that l was Mr.. Haddon, and yet |
le had deliberately planned that be
for Sir Mortimer Brett. The |
ntent to deceive was obvious.
When that were proved, on my head |
vouId fall the greatest censure. For
rho would believe that 1 was an inno-
ent victim? But l had gone too far
retreat now. Or rather, had not |
one far enough. Granted that Sir
fortimer Brett were dead, and that
~ elaborate plans to rescue him from
he hands of these adventures were a
allure, the fact remained that for
ONE dark purpose of their own the
were either concealing
he knowledge Of his death, or were
sing that knowledge for some base
urpose. They must be brought to
lstice- That justice could be obtained
urely and swiftly only at risk to my
elf.
How many minutes had passed now
AIRED move. dared even open my
res? For aught knew they were |
atching me, were even in the room