The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1907-10-12


them into consternation. TT. Starvs
was the nrst b recover his presence
Of mind.
Whom does he wish to Gee this
rnnc7" he demanded harshly.
.He asks Cor his Excellencs, the
English ambassador" replied the serv.
ant, looking at me eskance. But II
he is engaged, or not well, he Ii anx-
ious to speak with madam.
At first / was surprised that the
| man had not brought the card direct
| ly to myself. 1t was strange that he
should ignore me if he had been given
/ to understand that was Sir Mortimer.
But IL he were in the confidence OF
Madame de WARMER he would do pre-
ciseiy that
Frankly, the coming Of Captain
Forbes at this time was q surprise
scarcely less disagreeable for me than
for them. Tomorrow. or tie day
after, he would have been perhaps
only too welcome But now the intru
sioa was premature. 1t interfered
with my own plans as well as theirs.
4 More than that, could have wished
myself in a position to forewarn him,
to explain my tactics. 1t looked as II
Z. were again IN danger of being caught
red-handed in criminal deception.
More than ever would Captain Forbes
be convinced that l was one Of the
lconspirators If he discovered at this
moment that was not Sir Mortimer.
!, The man and woman conversed to
gether excitedly in barbaric tongue.
, Dr.. Starva, 1t was evident, was vehe-
mently advocating some plan; Madame
| de WARMER opposing it. But the shock
to which she had been subjected pre-
vious to the coming of Captain Forbes
, had left her unstrang, almost spa-
: thetic. Hitherto the man had been
sulkily cnbservient to the woman; now
!. his animal strength fought for the
' ascendency. He was brushing away
her agitated protests. 1t was he who
commanded the servant:
SHOW this Captain Forbes TO che
armory. l shall see him myself"
Again he spoke fiercely to Madame
de WARMER She listened to him IL
silence, her eyes cast down. He
| strobe to the door. stood there mo
ment hesitating, then left the room
| shutting the door behind him.
Madame de Warmer remained where
| he had left her. trembling violently
her hands covering her face. Thi
| was my opportunity to appeal to thu
| woman, and not the adventures.
| l - nj 1od he
| to one of the carved seats.
| Madame de WARMER. it is desper
ate game you are playing" l said
sternly yet gently Il don't know wha
| the stakes are. but you are not goini
to win them"
A white hand chung to my Goa
sleeve. why do you say thet?' sh
cried, staring at me with affrighte
eyes.
A pointed silently to the card sh
still held in her hand.
4 There is one factor to be reckone
4 with"
4 She tossed her head in detiancs
d DIR. Starva has reckoned with him a
ready, my friend. Perhaps not In tn
best way but effectually at least. An
the Other!'
well, there is myself"
She smiled on me wanly. II 70
were an enemy that might be more s.
rious, admit. But l have reckone
with you. You are to be my frien
You are to help me-"
THAT remains to be seen. But tn
third and most serious factor is treac
cry" added quietly.
my God! Treachery!"
do you trust DR.. Starya absolut
lily? Dare you tell me that the deaf
mask had as little meaning for him |
for you, until / showed you that 81
nificance?"
But you understood its meaning |
well as he Who are you that W
should have this knowledge"
Il know, perhaps. more than "
think, Madame de Warmer"
TT is Incredible" she cried passio
But ately. that /, the Countess Saraho
zen should be in the dark. while an AIMS
ter lean tourist"
ar The name had slipped out in her a
not ger; she bit her lips.
ter ..Oh, you need feel no considerable
to / might have called you by that mar
led several hours ago."
1T "Since you know go much" she sa
in bitter disgust, perhaps you kns
to the service expect to ask OF YOU
Or Il might make shrewd guess
, II even. that"
age She sank back. her fingers int
ant locked supporting her head. She
manned some time in gloomy thong
hat Suddenly door slammed. hes
ion. a faint shout; tramping OF fe
de Then there was quiet again. l glane
ure ~ NV comnanion She was listeni