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

stepped out on the balcony, looking
/ down on the street below.
This incident banished my last
! shred OF reluctance. These sdven-
) turers spied on me; il was equally fair
/ that play their game. Yes; l deter
mined to meet them with their own
! weapons.
The music reached n stormy climax.
There Was silence. / did not go back
/ into the room. waited curiously.
Would she ssain insist? II so, deter
mined to no lor ger refuse.
The heavy curtains at the window
were parted. She stood beside me.
1 Again I noticed the feverIsh light In
/ her eyes; her bosom rose and fell
unanimously; her color came and
| went.
Then you have no liking for an ad,
venture?" she demanded in a spirit
Of desperate gayety. Even when that
/ adventure is TO be shared with q wom-
/ an-yes. a beautiful woman2"
Nor when adventures are thrust on
me-" 1 replied coldly. Her emotion
| repealed me.
"Ah. you persist in being ungra-
cious. Then say this adventure brings
happiness for yourself"
Il should require proof OF that"
She saw that 1 was not to be won
over by coquetry. She became seri-
I GUS. almost anxious. Instlncuvely I
felt that she was about TO play her
+ last card. Had she known IT, was al
I ready decided. But she was ignorant
( Of that, and risked everything to gain
/ her purpose.
You have set yourself a task What
II I can help you fulfill it?"
Again you speak in riddles.
madam"
IF I said I we're listening last
( night"
frowned on her. furious. but did
not answer.
She felt no shame in making this
confession. One hand rested on her
hip. with the other she snapped finger
and thumb
! My dear monsieur, you are not at
tractive when you look like that Even
have heard the English proverb, All
is fair In love and in war"
And since this is not love, you wish
J me to infer that IL is war? And you
ask the enemy deliberately into the
camp2"
/ 1T is neither love nor war. II Is a
( truce. Does that satisfy your"
I Until you tell me the service I am
TO do you. It must be an armed truce. %
] interposed cautiously.
l emphasized the adjective.
"Bien' AT Alterhofren you shall
know all. Then IL will be for yoG 20
decide II we are 20 be allies"
Very WELL" 1 assented briskly. Il
will so to your chateau with you.
+ When do we start?"
Now that I had made my decision
she grasped the railing OF the balcony.
D exhausted. Presently I noticed that
/ her lips were moving. and as looked
az her IN wonder. I saw her furtIyely
make the sign of the cross. When she
I spoke again. II was languidly as with
an effort
Or Starva and myself are 20 go to-
night 10 Vitznau. little town on Lake
Lucerne. an hours journey from here.
3 Tomorrow morning at the dawn we
drive en- diligence 90 Alterhoffen."
rs II necessary that 1 90 20 Vitz-
nau?"
Yes" she said hesltatingly. avert
ing her eyes. The last boat leaves
Lucerne at II. Your luggage. can 1t
be ready then2"
I nodded absently.
An immense man stood stiHiy ar the
window awaiting US. His bearing was
/ slovenly. as was his attire. The spec
tacles and the puffy face. unnaturally
pale. suggested the habits OF the stu
dent. But the eyes. small. crafty. and
very bright. instantly corrected my
first impression. and left me baGied
and vaguely distrustful. II was the
man whose reflection I had seen in
the pierglass.
"Ah, my cousin at lasti Georges,
this is Mr.. Haddon, an American. He
comes 20 the chateau at Alterhoffen as
our guest"
It was impossible 10 doubt that ne
had spied on me with Madame dc
Varier's consent. But / was certain
that he heard OF my consent to go to
Alterhonen with positive annoyance
was not blind to the significant look
that passed between them: the eyes
of Madame de Varier dilating In tri
umph and defiance; DR.. Starva equal
" defiant and sullen.
Evidently there was dIscord in the
camp. DR.. Starva did not welcome
the fly that had consented to walk into
the web. Well. so much the better
A little discord might prove useful.
Madam is an admirable host" DR.
Starva said slowly in French. But II
the guest is 10 be quite happy he must
be content to amuse himself as
madam wishes"
The words were almost a threat.
. looked with repulsion at this pale
iabby. shutting giant. 1t would be
we'll to be on my guard against him
He might he dangerous. But half the
battle was won in realizing that.
Madame de WARMER met his bold
sally. insolently careless.
, "a diner, messieurs," she cried gay
ly, and took my arm, leaving the hug,
, DR.. Starva to follow.