Barbour County index., 1907-08-14
cHAPTER xvII.-Continued.
2ZHZzQ HENY E0EJ
@Ey3S7Z 1906 v lElRk7LW e Ct9.AahT1J

CHAPTER xvII.-Continued.
"If you were asking that service Of
Ernest Haddon it is possible that he
might do it. But if you are asking
Ernest Haddon to stoop to dishonor-
to masquerade in character to which
he has no right"
Ernest Haddon will still do that
Service"
We faced each other. Our eyes
met in defiance. Will beat against
will; an aggressive purpose against
stubborn resistance. Again l saw
those beautiful lips curve in cruel
smile; the eyes burn with baneful
hight.
Was she so confident of her prey?
Did she think that l should fall so
easy q victim to her basilisk smile?
If so, she erred woefully. Her beauty
left me absolutely unmoved. Rather
1t repelled. The savage nature of
the tigress showed too plainly in that
instant.
But at least you will listen to my
plan?"
YES" 1 replied slowly, gazing
thoughtfully at the fiickering logs, II
will listen to your plan. Like your
self, have gone too far to retreat.
But remember, when you have told
me all, the armed truce may be fol-
lowed by open warfare"
do you always give warning to
your victims before you trap them?"
she demanded, both contemptuous and
curious.
when am guest at their houses,
madam"
The door opened. DR.. Starva shut
fled stealthily into the room. She met
his distrustful glance with perfect
sangfroid.
And our visitor, this brave Captain
Forbes?" she demanded lightly. els
he as persistent as at Vitznau?"
bah, he annoys me, this brave cap
tain," sneered Starva. 'He comes
again to ask foolish questions. But I
answer him; yes, 1 answer him this
time. For tonight, at least, we shall
have peace"
Not without trepidation I thought of
the shuffling feet and the shout. DR..
Starva, when crossed, would not be
nice in surmounting an obstacle.
Either he thought me beneath con-
tempt or great fool I could have
wished that l were armed in this Cas-
tie of Happiness. A few hours ago
the atmosphere of the Middle Ages
had clung to it and had enchanted me.
But If its inmates resorted to the
violent methods of that period 1 might
be less fascinated.
DR.. Starva again seated himself at
his instrument. Madame de Varnier
accompanied him as if nothing un-
usual had happened
| l looked thoughtfully at this danger
Gus couple. The morrow promised
much. The three of us were at cross
purposes. Each was playing his des-
perate game. Which of us was to
conquer?
1t was not long before the little con-
cert came to an end. The enthusiasm
OF DR.. Starva was not proof against
the emotions Of the past hour. Can
dies were rung for. I bade them both
a quiet good night, and followed the
lackey who preceded me to my cham
ber.
!, welcomed the hours of sleep. To-
morrow my nerves would need to be
steady. But the surprises of the day
were to be followed by still another.
On my pillow was folded piece of
paper. 1t was a message; could not
doubt that. But when I had read it
I was completely mystif1ed in two par.
ticulars:
Who had placed the message on my
pillow?
Did the sender really believe that ]
was Sir Mortimer?
IF Sir Mortimer Brett will call at
the Grand hotel tomorrow at ten for
Mr.. Robinson Locke, Sir Mortimer will
receive news of Importance"
That was the message.