Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1907-10-19
SATURDAY. =. ...oCr. 10. 1907

repeated over and over
Sir Mortimer Brett minister pleui-
potenuary at the court of Sofa, was
dead. The adventures for some pur-
pose OF their own. not yet 20 be
guessed. had deliberately planned that
I be mistaken for him at this hotel.
That the ambassador was dead was
bitter disappointment TO my hopes
The opportunity to fulfill the task that
Helena had given me was not to be
mine after all. And now that knew
that. what further excuse had ] 10 be
as clay in the hands Of these Deople2
I was tempted TO burst into the room.
there. TO prick the bubble Of their in
trigue
But II did that. though l might BAT
de the execution OF their plans. I
should be utterly ignorant as to the
nature Of those plans. The danger to
myself in continuing to play the role
OF accomplice was very great. The Of
fcers OF the law would not be so touch
ingly simple as to believe that / was
abetting the plans Of this precious
couple only with a view of bringing
them to final justice.
But much more alarming than posi-
bic danger 20 myself was the fact that
Helena Brett was in this hotel.
Before morning a cruel but Just
chance might bring us face to face,
and in her eyes I should stand con-
victed OF the grossest yillainy. with
diabolical cunning. Or. Starva had in
sisted that l was Mr.. Haddon. and yet
he had deliberately planned that 1 be
mistaken for Sir Mortimer Brett. The
intent 20 deceive was obvious.
When that were proved. on my head
would fall the greatest censure. For
who would believe that was an limo
cent victim? But I had gone too far
20 retreat now. or rather, I had not
gone far enough. Granted that Sir
Mortimer Brett were dead. and that
my elaborate plans to rescue him from
the hands OF these adventures were n
failure. the fact remained that for
some dark purpose OF their own the
conspirators were either concealIng
the knowledge Of his death. or were
using that knowledge for some base
purpose. They must be brought TO
Justice. That Justice could be obtained
surely and swiftly only at risk TO my
self.
How many minutes had passed now7
Dared I move. dared I even open my
eyes? For auEht / knew they were
watching me. were even IN the room
At this instant. 7 lay quite stu. breath
ing stertorously.
The handle OF the door was turned
sharply. heard the weight OF Or.
Starva thrown against it as Il TANNED
and for some moments resisted hrs
efforts
Tho fare OF an electric light fell on
my face. He stood at my bedside.
muttered incoherently. tossing about.
and turning my face from the glare.
Then I was alone again.
/ was in room little larger than
an American hall bedroom. They
were cavalier enough OF the dignity OF
Sir Mortimer Brett's understudy. I
must be lying In the chamber OF the
valet and not OF the master
I leaped lightly to the floor. I TIP
toed 20 the closed door To my con-
sternation IL was too tightly closed TO
permit me TO see anything in the room
beyond. 10 had cresked loudly In re-
sisting DR. Starva's efforts; certainly
was not so rash as to attempt to
open II. however cautiously and
slightly.
To all purposes. I was a Gagged pris-
oner The risk I had run 10 spy on
them would be 10 no purpose unless I
could surprise them at their nights
work
I ragged at my impotence. Then I
fhnnC-hf 90 he rsrf~
was a balcony.
There was no blind at the window,
but wooden shutters that fastened
with catch. I pushed open the
French windows. Yes. there was the
balcony, and to my Joy saw that It
extended the length OF the suite.
And now a new difficulty stared me
in the face At any moment they
might enter the bedroom. and when
had gained the balcony. outside the
salon, would shutters prevent my see
ing within?
AS to the first risk must take IL.
The door had jammed before; II
would jam again. The NOISE. made In
opening 1t would give me some warn
ing.
bdlutN Nht nett0UNs InGre were
shutters. but could see readily
through the interstices.
II was the apartment we had first
entered; and IL bore unmistakabIe
signs Of having been infinitely ran
sacked. A large empire desk had been
PRED open. Papers had been abstract
ed from the drawers and pigeonholes;
they lay about in confusion. In more
than one place the carpet had been
torn up at the edges.
AS I peered cautiously within, DR..
Starva was lowering the Venetian
blind of another window. Evidently
they were searching the room with
the knowledge that an article Of value
was hidden there.
heard Madame de WARMER cry out
excitedly. packet. concealed be-
tween the stats of a Venetian blind.
had fallen to the floor.
Without a doubt IL was for this
packet OF papers that they had been
searching. Madame de WARMER tore
the enVolODe IN feVerish haste She