Morgan County republican. (Versailles, Mo.) 1906-1914, 1907-12-05
CHAPTER xvlI.-contlnued.

IF you we're asking that service of
Ernest Haddon Il Is possible that he
might do It. But II you are asking
Ernest Haddon to stoop to dishonor-
to masquerade In a character to which
he has no right"
Ernest Haddon will still do that
service"
We faced each other. Our yes
met in defiance. Will beat against
will; an aggressive purpose against
stubborn resistance. Again | saw
those beautiful lips curve In a cruel
smile; the eyes burn with a baneful
hight.
Was she so confident OF her prey?
Did she think that | should fall so
easy a victim to her basilisk smile?
II 80. she erred woefully. Her beauty
left me absolutely unmoved. Rather
1t repealed. The savage nature Of
the tigress showed toe plainly in that
instant.
But at least you will listen to my
plan?"
Yes" I replied slowly, gazing
thoughtfully at the Pickering logs, II
will listen to your plan. Like your
self, l have gone too far to retreat.
But remember, when you have told
me all, the armed truce may be fol.
lowed by open warfare"
do you always give warning to
your victims before you trap them?'
she demanded, both contemptuous and
cuiious.
when I am a guest al their houses,
madam"
The door opened. DR.. Starvs shut.
fed stealthily into the room. She met
his distrustful glance with perfect
sangfroid.
And our visitor, this brave Captain
Forbes?" she demanded lightly. rs
he as persistent as at V~itznau?"
Bah, he annoys me, this brave cap.
tain" sneered Starva. He comes
again to ask foolish questions. But l
answer HIM; yes. I answer him this
time. For tonight, at least. we shall
have peace
Not without trepidation | thought OF
the shufling feet and the shout. DR.
Starva, when crossed, would not be
nice in surrounding an obstacle
Either he thought me beneath con
tempt or a great fool. l could have
wished that | were armed in this Cas-
tie Of Happiness. A few hours age
the atmosphere Of the Middle Ages
had chung to It and had enchanted me
But If its inmates resorted to the
violent methods Of that period ! might
be less fascinated.
DR.. Starva again seated himself al
his instrument. Madame de WARMER
accompanied him as II nothing un
usual had happened.
/ looked thoughtfully at this danger
Gus couple. The morrow promised
much. The three of us were at cross
purposes. Each was playing his des
perate game. Which Of us was tc
conquer?
1t was not long before the little con
cert came to an end. The enthusiasm
of DR.. Starva was not proof against
the emotions of the past hour. Can
dies were rung for. I babe them both
a quiet good night, and followed the
lackey who preceded me to my cham
Der.
welcomed the hours of sleep. To
morrow my nerves would need to be
steady. But the surprises Of the day
were to be followed by still another.
On my pillow was a folded piece Of
paper. 1t was a message; | could moi
doubt that. But when | had read II
wa completely mystifed in two par
ticulars:
Who had placed the message on my
pillow?
Did the sender really believe that
was Sir Mortimer?
IF Sir Mortimer Brett will call al
the Grand hotel tomorrow at ten fol
Mr.. Robinson Locke, Sir Mortimer viii
receive news OF importa zee"
That was the message