Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1907-11-16
THE
Castle Of Lies.
lCnntinnod Lon, S.cnrd p.rn
Continued From second Page.

II
lleve. God help me. would further my
own ambitions at her expense. say
am tempted"
| L say I am tempted" IF IL could
be done without too great risk. be-
lieve, God help me. I would further
my own ambitions at her expense
such expressions were bideOusly sig
nifcant But I met calmly the male
violent triumph OF Madame de Varnier.
When you read the next letter.
she said. watching me closely, you
will understand the meaning OF the
expression, There are other means Of
rewsrding friendship besides empty
words Of gratitude Even so stanch an
advocate Of Sir Mortimer's honor as
yourself must realize that IA the
words you have just read. he was en-
deayoring 60 discover just what that
vague promise meant"
I received the next letter in silence.
TO His Excellency, etc;
Our answer 20 your Exceliency's
/ kind letter wishes 20 make this fact
| clear: The people Of Bulgaria pledge
| their word. through this committee.
! that n England gives 70 the insurgent
/ party Is support Ia overthrowing the
rule OF Ferdinand. the relation OF Eng
/ land 70 Bulgaria shall be similar TO
that which exists between Egypt and
England
The Society Of Freedom ia fully
aware that your Excellency's incon-
venience and labor must be recon
/ pensed. The sum OF 100000 is al
ready placed in the Ottoman bank.
! payable % your Excellency on de
/ mand."
Mote by Sir Mortimer pinned 70 the
above letter.
ITO this 7 replied that the sum men
toned was too ludicrously small 70 be
| considered. Only the most substan-
tial guarantee could Justify me IN TAX
Ing the risks involved"
Third letter 90 Sir Mortimer from
the society,"
ITO His EXceilency. Etc:
The sum OF $4,000 has been
placed IN the Ottoman bank 20 your
Excellency's account The society
trusts that this sum will be sufficient
TO justify the risks. VIII your Excel
lency give his answer without delay -
(Note by Sir Mortimer pinned 10
the above letter.
Il have taken the step. II Is too late
10 ask myself now whether I have
been indiscreet. II have consulted
my own wishes n ! have furthered
my own plans. feel that am justified
morally. ! am helping an oppressed
recompense Is meager enough. II the
Foreign Office should probe the mat
ter. and discover the extent OF my in
discretion. my diplomatic career will
be ended. But am content 20 do a
little evil that good may come"
! crushed the paper In my hand.
sick at heart I shuddered az the
hypocritical comfort this guilty man
had hugged 90 his breast I had hoped
against hope. But n they were true
copies, I could no longer doubt that
Sir Mortimer had stopped 70 the tax
ing OF brides
And these documents are word for
word copies OF those IN the safer"
demanded gloomily.
Il swear II by every oath I hold sa-
credl" she replied without hesitation.
and kissed the ieweled cross that hung
about her neck.
She stretched out her hand for the
papers. / tore them 20 atoms before
her eyes.
For a moment she struggled 70 res
cue them from my grasp. When she
saw that IL was too late. she laughed
boisterously-a laughter that showed
at once contempt, defiance and trI.
umph
'Bravo," She clapped her hands
dersively. you take your precau.
lions. You are desperate Protest as
you viii. you are convinced of Sir Nor
timers guilt"
You are mistaken" I replied cool
". But even II these papers are true
copies OF genuine documents, II is as
well that even the copies be destroyed.
II they are forgeries. and you have yet
20 prove to me they are not. they are
dangerous toys. and so better de-
strOyed"
Another copy is easily made. so
long as I have the combination OF my
safe. NJ. Coward"
You are never weary OF insulting
me" I said lndifferenuy. But be sure
OF this. you viii find ] am not coward
enough TO yield weakly to your scheme
OF blackmail."
mo; you are so brave that you
leave a helpless girl to bear the dis
grace OF her dead brother. when by
word you might save her the suffer
ing. Your pretended honor is so pre-
cious 10 you that you scorn TO aid the
woman whom you love"
silence. woman!" I cried passion
ately. do you think am convinced
OF Sir Mortimer's guilt because Of
these flimsy typewriter copies? You
must let me see the papers in tho
safe"
IF you are desperate enough to de
stroy a copy. l should scarcely trust
you with the original. For the last
time, must the woman you love know
OF her brothers disgrace? l am in