Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1907-11-02
CHAPTER XVIII.

arrival here. SO soon after ourselves.
merely a coincidcnco2 or could they
have travelled together Locke had
certainly given me 20 understand that
he had never seen Sir Mortimer or his
mother and sister. Nor had I reason
TO suppose that he knew the kings
messcnEer-at least two DAYS ago
n ~ were true that he had met none
Of these people previous TO my leaving
Lucornc. ~ it were true that be aid
not know them even now-what could
have brought Locke hitber?
one Of three things might have hap
pened:
Locke may have been keeping a Wig
liant watch on The movements Of the
Countess SlrahoT.
Captain Forbes might have traced
Us here yesterday and have Joined
forces with Locke.
Or Locke may have been watching
ne. rather than Madame de Vauier.
and have posted after nae. rather than
after herself and her companion.
lt required htIe Imagination to rca-
son out the affair.
Two days ago be had seen mo con
ve-si1g ou apparently intimate terms
with the Countess S1rlhoT. a uoto-
rious adventures. He came TO my
hotel 60 warn me against her: 7 had
received his warnings lightly enough.
That very evening Z dincd with che
woman: 7 took the boat for Vitznau. n
not in her company. in the company
OF Or. Starva. whom DE must have
often seen with her go Lucorcne. The
knowled-e OF these facts would br.r-
him Go tho scene at VItznau.
And thc12 Tho most startling DIS
covcriCs might Doe hts.
Say that Dc had actually traced mo
as FAR as Nitznau. he would have
made inquiries yesterday Tor Ernest
Haddon. From whom else could he
make these inquiries but tho cou-
CicrEe1 And Dc would loaru-wLatP
The mysterious secret that &c was not
really Erucst Halton who had como
90 the hotel but Sir Mortimer Brctt.
PASSING under tho name OF Ernest
Haddon. Yes; tho concierge would
tell him tho truth. according 90 his
lights. An old newspaper man Ike
Locke would be satisfied with no
vague cvas.cns.
~ Locke. rnc1. had made certain
that had entered tho hotel The even
ing before. that 7 had occupied tho
suite az SIR Mortimer Brett. the truth
would fash on him. Ec would then
be forced to ono or two conclusions:
either THAI I was "a great fool 90 De SO
guilolcss victim. or that I WAS O
much more cunning rogue than Lo had
th0urht
But tho note I had found so strange
y on uv pillow had given no inkung
OF his suspicious. NJ DE had any. That
was Co bo expected 10 Sir Mortimer.
or rather myself failed Co keep The
appointment Dee would draw his own
conclusions. And having drawn Thorn.
what would De his course OF acuonc
He would storm the chateau for tho
truth. IT, as seemed most likely he
had Joined forces with Captain Forbes
he would realize the need of immedi-
ate action.
What with interviews between my
self and Madame De WARMER Locke
and Forbes. the day promised TO be
exciting. There might, thought with
inhnite dread bo yet another inter
view. For III Forbes and Locke had
succeeded In tracing Us 90 AlterhoGen
why should not Helena Brett and her
mother?
looked at my watch. had slept
soundly, lulIed to sleep by the temptu-
Gus little stream below. IL was now
ten o'clock The sun was shining
brightly into my room. ! could SEQ
the mountains rosy-hued In the morn
ing light.
Ny door was raped gently. then
pushed open. The servant who had
ushered me 20 my chamber entered
with coffee. There was none so likely
20 have brought the note as he. was
tempted 70 test the suspicion. IL might
be convenient 70 avail myself of his
services, 81 my suspicion were true.
But 7 decided 20 make no allusion 20
a.. For the present / had no need OF
the man. and II he were ignorant OF
the existence Of the note I should risk
much by making him the wiser.
Il am anxious TO see Madame de
WARMER I said. raising myself on my
elbow to pour out my coffee. rs she
up yet?"
Madam never rises until after her
second breakfast" replied the man.
but DR.. Starva has asked me to say
that he is at YOUR Excellency's dis
posal"
HE is very good" yawned. and
dismissed him.
Now that Madame de WARMER was
not TO be seen FOR the present, I
wished 1 might have slept longer. It
was too late to keep the doubtful ap-
pointment with Locke, even had
wished. But did not wish TO keep It.
First Of all must come Madame de
WARMERS story. Afterwards, events
must shape their course as they would.
But It was impossible TO sleep again:
the glare Of the light was unendur-
able. The noise Of the river Aare
seemed 20 rise in steady crescendo.
dressed leisurely, for l was deter
mined not to leave the chateau until
! had seen Madame de WARMER. And
yet had no desire for the company of
DIR. Starva. I looked about for book
or magazine TO beguile the hours be-
fore lunchQOn