Charlevoix county herald. (East Jordan, Mich.) 189?-1953, 1907-06-08
CHAPTER x.-continued.

the mustache of the father made the
eyebrows; and the brow and the eyes
of the boy prince formed the nose and
mouth. And more horrible than the
death-mask itself was a wound in the
temple, from which flowed a streak OF
blood.
This wound" | asked, shuddering,
els il merely coincidence? The look
of agony-the staring eyes-is that
meant to be a menace, a threat of a
violent death?"
Can you doubt ito" demanded
Locke. replacing the envelope care
fully in his pocketbook That death
mask is regarded by a large portion
of Ferdinands dissatisfied subjects as
q heavenly sign That little stamp,
I venture to say, is a death-knell for
Ferdinand-it introduces into Bull
garian politics an awful and solemn
note
"A heavenly sign" | asked, shud-
dering again But he still lives?"
Yes; at present he is in Paris. |
suppose he is safe there. But when
he returns to his capital at Sofia"
And the woman-this Countess
Sarahoff. is she one of the revolution
aries who regard that stamp as a
heavenly sign You told me that
she was supposed to be the friend of
Prince Ferdinand
81 did But is she? She is a wom-
an of mystery. Is she really in earn
est in seeking to entrap Sir Mortimer
into influencing England to stand be-
hind Bulgaria in her invasion Of Turk
ish Macedonia? Is she ignorant of the
existence or at least the significance
of this stamp? Or, posing as friend
of Ferdinand, having ready access to
him at any hour, will hers be the dag
ger plunged into his breast at the
fatal hour? Perhaps Sir Mortimer is
not the gUileless victim we think him
to be. Perhaps the kings messenger
does not have two sets of dispatches
80 be presented at his discretion. Per
haps this death-mask is a CHASTITY ac-
cident and not menace. Perhaps
Countess Sarahoff, alias Sophie de
WARMER. is lamb Of innocence Per.
haps. But, my dear chap, don't trust
that perhaps
Locke rose and pulled on his gloves.
I stared at him in sudden comprehen-
sion.
Il understand now. You had more
than one object in coming to see me
this morning" | said, soberly.
He lit a cigarette, looking down at
me in deep thought.
In America the game of politics is
fair game and above board. We
show our cards; they are on the table
for all the world to see. The very
frankness of our methods puzzles the
diplomats of Europe Here in Europe
things are managed differently. There
are wheels within wheels. No pawn
is too insignificant to be made use of.
This pawn may be a simple citizen,
even a tourist
shook the hand he held toward
me. and retained it, bewildered.
But that is absurd on the face of
it. In what possible way could | be
Of use to this Countess Sarahof?"
Locke shrugged his shoulders care
lessly, and blew a ring of smoke with
precision at the chandelier.
Nothing is quite absurd he re-
turned. calmly. Two days ago | read
of an unfortunate accident of a fell
low-countryman and an Old college ac-
uuaintance. To-day am surprised to
find this countryman OF mine on eX-
cellent terms with woman whom
have every reason to believe is a dan
gerous adventures. | come to see
my fellow-cOuntryman, to offer him
my sympathy | remain to warn
him
But why" | demanded, still skep-
teal.
There are three facts that should
make you think, Haddon. First of
all. YOU have made the acquaintance
of the mothersand the sister of Sir
Mortimer Brett. Secondly. Countess
Sarahoff has made your acquaintance.
Thirdly-contradict me if | am wrong
she has already interested you;
more than that, | venture to say that
you have made an appointment with
her"
He looked at me keenly. | was
silent.
These my dear Haddon, are SIM
pie facts Perhaps there is no rela-
ton between them. Again | say, per
haps.' But don't let the mysterious
machinery of intrigue catch you in
its meshes. Its wheels may crush
you. You have had enough trouble,
and look out for Countess Sarahoff."
II shall try to remember your ad-
vice" | said, struggling to control my
excitement. and placed his visiting.
card in my pocket. yes; shall see
YOU again before | leave Lucerne.'
oh, suit yourself about that said
Locke, cOldly.
Not until afterwards did it occur to
me that | had treated him rather
cavalierly-indeed, laid myself open
. suspicion by my silence.