The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1907-08-02
CHAPTER xIx.-continued.

II was hopeless to prevent the in
evtable. The rescue OF Captain
Forbes would be accomplished. my
completely In the intrigues OF DR.
starya and Madame de Narnier would
81 taken for granted. Expostulauons
would be- useless Ny very presence
In he chateau would be face evidence
of MY guilt.
And so had played my desperate
game TO no purpose.
To save myself-that was my one
thought Two courses lay before me.
could make my way TO Captain
Forbes Could ] effect his pelease be
fore Helena returned with help? II
that were possible, and IN | could
hastily make my position clear 70 the
kings messenger all might yet be
weH At least so far as the establish
mcnt OF my innocence was concerned.
or / might overtake Helena Brett.
To her ! might make my confession.
And II she were persuaded. not only
that was acting in her interests but
that nv plan 70 clear up Sir Morti-
mers DISAPPEARANCE promised success.
might even now be successful
il was my fear that she would scorn-
fully refuse both to believe my story
and to accept my aid tina, made me
hesitate as TO this course
IL was DR. Starva who decided for
me.
lie had appeared on the terrace be
low. and he was following Helena
Brett
had read Captain Forbes's message
as well as Helena Why. then. could
there not have been a third person
interested in the strange antics Of the
mirror And IL this surmlse were
true? II DR.. Starya or Madame de
WARMER had read the message They
had not hesitated TO use desperate ex-
pedients 70 gain their purpose. Would
DR.. Starva hesitate to use means as
desperate to prevent Helena from
summoning help?
I asked myself this startling ques-
ton as / took the stairs two at a time
to the great hall. The main entrance
was locked. For a moment ! thought
that was a prisoner in the chateau as
well as Captain Forbes Even now
am not certain that such was not the
intention Of Madame de Varnier. But
DIT Starva had gained the terrace BY
small door close by the spiral stair
case In his haste he had forgotten 10
lock this door.
Desperate as was my own haste
took the precaution Of locking the side
door after me and placing the key in
my pocket My reasons for this were
vague enough II was an instinct that
prompted me 20 take the precautiOn
rather than deliberate reflection. But
perhaps / might be able 20 regain the
chateau in due time by this side en-
trance. and none be the wiser For
as far as ! knew | had effected my
exit unobserved.
In the meanwhile | ran swiftly after
Helena and DR.. Starva ! sad lost
sight Of both. / soon came 10 an end
of the promenade. II led directly into
the main street OF the village. Now
that had gained the village street /
looked eagerly about for them. Neither
was in sight guessed that Helena
Brett would make her way as soon as
possible TO the hotel where she was
known What hotel? That was the
question.
/ halted an urchin and asked him
the name OF the best hotel in Alter
hoffen. "Oh, the Grand hotel" he an
swered without hesitation: that is
where all the English lords and Amer
lean millionaires stay"
Then let him take me hither: !
tempted HIM with a franc.
Evidently the gentleman is in a
hurry"
assured him that | was. and prom
ised him two francs IL | could reach
the hotel before a lady whom ! was
following.
Then. the gentleman must go by
the short cut"
sped after the urchin down the vii
iage street.
This street is one Of the most quaint
In the whole world. There are two
stores Of shops on either side. The
pavement of the shops below is rooted
over; this covered passageway is the
pavement for the second series OF
shops above. l was on the lower pave
ment. and this explains how i was
able to reach a flight OF steps. the cut
tho youngster had promised. before
Helena OF DR.. Starva
At the foot of these steps the young
ster bolted. assuring me that I should
Ind the hotel when had reached the
top Of the flight
These steps pierced a wall of one
of the houses of the village street.
The fight was straight for the first
20 or so, then 1t turned curiously on
little landing at right angles. Here
was in semi-darkness. CROPPED my
way for the continuance OF the fight.
The first series of steps, began to see
dimly had ended at "A sort OF porter's
lodge. ! learned afterwards that this
was private entrance TO the hotel
above and that in the glass-covered
Ia