Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1907-10-26

the detective But she and I hae
placed ourselves beyond the pale OF
conventionality Either distrusted the
other. An armed truce-thst was the
word that described our relations, and
abe had suggested that word
DR.. Starre entered.
En- route" he said gruHy. The
carriage IL waiting"
II was very early, scarcely past ave.
The night porter. drowsy-eyed and sui
len. took ux down on the elevator and
pat our luggage in the carriage. I
confess bresthed more freely when
the hotel was some miles behind US
AID We had see1 neither Helena Brett
Eor Captain Forbes.
As Madame dc WARMER had warned
me. tins Journey itself was long and
tiresore; nor did Madame de vernier
and her companion exert themselves
much 70 relieve its moRotouy.
II was almost dusk when she pointed
cut TO me- tho pinnacles Of her cha
teau
Fer the last hour the horses had
been struggling up a dusty road wind
Ing about the mountainside. Forests
OF ar were on either side. From far
below came the impetuous murnur OF
a stream. High above the forests OF
hr trees there were herds OF cattle.
We could hear tho faint jingle OF the
oeU-bells. Only rarely had there been
any view. but the clear and pure at
mosphere' told me that the altitude
must be considerable. But this sylvan
scene suggested nothing OF the horrors
OF a few DAYS ago. The mountains.
purple and pink 10 the dusk. were too
far away.
Suddenly thero was a turn in tho
road Now We bad an uninterrupted
view Of tho chateau across a green
valley. In this vague light its towers
and turrets seemed as unreal and
] Ehostly as a fairy fabric.
At the base OF fits white walls a
tiny village. crouching close to the
/ chateau for protection, found a pre-
earious foothold on the steep hillside.
There was maze Of red-tiled roofs.
high gsbled and slipping. tier upon tier
OF them, each pierced by numbers Of
suaint dormor windows.
wild river. fed by the turbulent
| streams OF The mountain SHOWS. flung
| itself IN headiong rage down the slop-
| ing valley. straight for the chateau. as
/ II 70 sweep 10 from its base Reach
| ing the castle. it spent its fury on the
rocks. Their. ga ~ bamed OF its prey.
made an abrupt half circle about the
| base and continued It's stormy career.
/ seeking a less powerful foe.
La
nier. Wei my friend does II prom
iss diversi1n for you?"
The VILLAGE and the castle breathe
the spirit Of romance" I cried with
animation.
"Ah. romancei What ~ say to
you" she whispered. that your day
Of romance has conner"
7 glanced toward Or. Starva whose
shaggy head was nodding. Even we
Americans. madam. are not Indifferent
/ % its glamour. But too often the TO
nance OF medievalism suggests dis
honor"
She locked at me startled. then
shrugged her shoulders. "One must
take the world as one ands IT," she
sRid iadinerently.
We were making the last steep
ascent 20 the village. We crossed the
noisy stream; tho driver cracked his
long whip; we passed under a dilapi-
dated arch; we were rattling over the
sobblestoRes OF a winding street.
Il was too dark for me TO see much
OF the quaint beauty Of this pictur-
egcue village. caught a glimpse OF
the um5ered Rathaus. It's gilt clock
proudly conspicuous on the squat tow
ar, and 81 the fountain In front OF a..
its basin radiant with scarlet aowers.
There we're little shops dimly lighted.