The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1907-12-14

that yOuI BLACKBERRY ~ IVCcxSCu ~
NO." said calmly. Il was time to
put an end to this game Of cross-pur-
poses.
Then possibly madam can enlighten
you as to its whereabouts"
II, your Excellency? Oh, MOI" She
swept me hooking courtesy. Il am
not so deeply in your Excellency's
counsel"
MY patience. Sir Mortimer" cried
Forbes, breaking into direct speech,
has its limits. l see you at Lucerne
only with the greatest difficulty.
warn you of the grave purport of a
dispatch which am unable to deliver
to you because OF your condition. The
next morning. when / would see you.
you have disappeared again. trace
you here with difficulty. When for the
third time ! attempt to deliver this
dispatch. am held captive; the dis
patch is forcibly taken from me. When
l ask you ii you have received 1t, you
give me an Indifferent answer. dare
not believe that you are so far lost to
your sense of duty that you counte-
nance these violent acts of q bandit.
But ] must insist"
He paused abruptly. I thought 1t
because he realized that his anger had
carried him too far. But when
looked where he looked, saw Helena
Brett.
Miss BRETT" he exclaimed in
panied surprise. II am sorry to see
you here"
And am Infinitely relieved, though
bewildered, to find you. Captain
Forbes" She extended him her hand.
smiling wanly.
But you will help me to make your
brother realize the danger of further
misunderstanding" he said gently, his
anger at my indifference vanishing at
sight Of her pale and haggard counte-
nance.
MY brother, Captain Forbes. Is
dead. He lies in that ROOM" she an
swered firmly. though her lips trem-
bIed.
She had made her decision. She.
too, was determined at all hazards not
to act a lie.
AS for Captain Forbes. he was dumb
with establishment His eyes widened
with dismay and concern. But though
he did not speak his startled glance
ldwelt on me.
Mr.. Haddon Is my loyal friend, "
said Helena, interpreting his look. At
the same time she treasured me with
a quiet smile that more than her words
expressed her trust.
A slow flush of anger mounted to
the temples Of the kings messenger.
He lowered over me menacingly.
you have dared tamper with his
Majesty's business; you have tricked
lone of his servants. BY Heaven, you
will rue 1t dearly"
Captain Forbes!" Helena laid hel
hand on his sleeve in her distress.
"Madam!" He turned on her In
dignantly. "This man has deliberate
lily passed himself on as your brother
He tricked me into giving him impor
tant papers of state. You know that
and you defend him? You dare cal
him friend?"
81 did not know that" she replied
firmly. 'But I dare call him friend
Captain Forbes. You do not under
stand"
Understand" he stormed. before
could make any reply myself. Il un
derstand this only too well: he is II
league with a notorious woman, and
the still more infamous DR.. Starva
two Bulgarian adventurers OF the mos
dangerous type. / think that 4
enough. That he has obtained unde
false pretenses my dispatches convict
him of high treason. He viii not leav'
my sight until he Is placed unde
arrest"
Il am an American" said quietly
"You may find 1t more difficult to d
that than you imagine"
My mild expostulation maddene'
him only the more.
IAN Americana" He advanced +
me as IL to lay hands on me. DO yo'
fiatter yourself that your rationale,
leaves you free to play the spy AM
traitor with impunity? Give me thos
papers"
He came a step nearer. Instructive
ly I placed my hands at my breas
pocket as If to protect the precious pa
8 pers. But again Helena, distressed q
e his violence. restrained him.
t Captain Forbes" she pleaded. "pra
restrain your anger. 1t Is natural tina
T you should feel the deepest suspicio
I against Mr.. Haddon. But II you vi
8 be patient, am sure he win make q
clear to you"
Miss Brett" he said sternly. "thi
is a mans work. 1t is hardly becon
ing In you to defend one who has tr'