Morgan County republican. (Versailles, Mo.) 1906-1914, 1907-11-07
CHAPTER XII.
Treachery.

lTcdCncTJ
Three hours later DR.. Starva and
myself were on the little steamboat en-
route for Vit2nau, a journey Of ar
hour. / had met him at the quay; he
was alone. Madame de WARMER, he
coolly informed me, had taken an
earlier boat. | was not to see her un-
til next morning.
Frankly, ! scarcely liked that. l
could have wished for a more con
genial companion. However, | was
embarked on al adventure; and must
take things as they came. II was to
be a game of give and take. | was de-
l~iberately permitting myself to be their
tool for the moment; ! was to serve
their purpose. My wages for the serv.
ice were to be the opportunity of find
ing Sir Mortimer Brett. Until | had
penetrated the mystery of his disap-
pearance l would be as clay IN their
hands. Perhaps 1t might be necessary
to be their partner for the nonce in
their intrigues. They might wonder
at my docility or guilelessness, but
they should not question 1t. That vas
the delicate task l must bend myself
to for the present.
We had seated ourselves we'll for.
ward and were quite alone, for at this
late hour the boat carried few pas
sengers. The wind coming from the
snow.clad peaks was piercing. / shiv-
cred, but rather from excitement than
from the chilly air. Already the lights
of Vitznau could be seen dimly through
the thick mists.
DR.. Starva, rolling a huge cigar in
the corner of his loose, sensual mouth,
regarded me ixedly under shaggy eye
brows.
1T is cold. We must have some
cognac." without asking for my as
sent he summoned a waiter.
Even in so trivial a matter as the
appropriateness Of refreshments his
tone was more a command than an in
vitatiOn. The cagnac would be wei.
come enough, but one less observing
than myself might have noticed the
alacrity with which he welcomed the
eXcus for the liquor.
do you know what it is to have a
headache" he asked, and, fumbling
clumsily in his waistcoat pocket, he
produced a tiny packet.
NO" ! said, yawning, and watching
him idly.
"Ah, you are fortunate. This little
powder is a great benefactor to me.
We are close to Vitznau. Through
the trees there yau can get a glimpse
of the hotel we are to stop at"
He pointed at a building a quarter
OF a mile distant from the landing
stage we were fast approaching, hold
ing in mid-air the packet of powder
preparatory to placing 1t on his
tongue.
| looked where he pointed; there
was not much to see; the mist en-
veloped everything. The boy ap.
preached with the cognac.
My elbows on the table, | fingered
carelessly the little glass placed in
front of me, while that of DIR. Starva
was being filled. AS l tipped 1t to-
ward me caught a glimpse of a white
powder in the bottom of my glass.
DR.. Starva's headache powder!
Here was treachery indeed! But |
did not move a muscle. / lifted my
eyes slowly. DR.. Starva's great had
was tipped back. The packet, empty
OF its powder, of course, was placed at
his lips. But his rat-like Is es were
watching me narrowly.
| had need to think and act quickly.
The powder was a narcotic to deaden
my senses. That must be prevented
at any cost; and yet he must think
that | had taken the drug.
He had called my attention to the
hotel while he cleverly slipped the
powder into the glass. ought not to
be less adroIt.
AS the waiter passed around the
table his decanter in hand, ! thrust
out my leg and tripped him up neatly,
lie fei; against DIR. Starva, the ocean
ter stil! held carefully aloft.
ia thst moment OF confusion I emp.