The Montgomery advertiser., 1907-09-07
THE POWERS AND MAXINE
All Rights Reserved.


coficern, to search and see if anything in Raours charge were out of order or missing But what he would do. what I think he has done, is this. Having some idea, as he may have. that my re- lations with certain important persons in England are rather friendly, and seeing me come from the Foreign of- flee to go almost straight to the post, 1t might have occurred to him to try and learn the name of my correspon- dent. He has inhuence--he could per haps have found out: but if he dfd, 1t wouldn't have helped him much, for naturally, my dealings with the British Foreign Secretary are always well un- der cover--hence delay sometimes in his receiving word from me. what send can neveY go straight to him. as you can guess. Godensky would guess that, too: and he would have perhaps informed the police, very cautiously, very unoficially and confidentially, that he suspected Maxine de Renzle of be- ing a political spy in the pay of Eng land. He would have advised that my movements be watched for the next few days: that English agents of the French police be warned to watch also, on their side of the Channed He would have argued to himself that if I'd sent any document away, with Raoufs con niyance or without, would be wanting it back as soon as possible; and ne would have mentioned to the police that possibly a messenger would bring me something--if my correspondence throueh the post was found to contain nothing compromising. Oh, there have been eyes on me, and on every move ment of mine, I'm sure. See how efn- cfent though quiet, the methods have been where you're concerned. They- the police-knew the name Of the man I was to meet here at this hotel; anu if, as Godensky must have hoped, any document belonging to the French government had been found on you or me. everything would have played into his hands. Raoul would have been ruined his heart broken, ana i-pus there are no words to express what l would have suffered, what 1, may yet have to suffer. Godensky would pc praised for his cleverness. as well as securing a satisfactory revenge on me for refusing him The only thing which rejoices me now iss the thought or ms blank disappointment when he gets the news from the Commissary or Police,
 ssYou don't believe then, askeo' "tnA Godensky has had any sand ln the disappearance of the treatyF
 q would believe it, if 1t weren't TOT the necklace being put in It's place. Even if Count Godensky could have known of Raoups mission with the diamonds, and got them into his own hands, he wouldn't have let them get out again. with every chance or tnelr going back to. Raoul, and thus saving him from his trouble. He'd do nothing to help, but everything 10 hinoer. There lies the mystery-in the return of the necklace instead Of the treaty, You have no knowledge or IL: you teiI me: vet you come to me with It Tn your nocket-the necklace stolen from Raoul du I,aurier. days ago. in Amsterdam or on the way there"
 "Your'e certain it's the same?
 "certain as that you are you, and am l.. And I'm not out of my mind yet--though I soon shall be- unless you somehow save me from this horror.
 "Tm going to try" I said. Dont give up hope. l wish though tnat you hadn't to act tonight.
 aso do I. But there's no way out or if. And I must go now to the theatre, or I shall be late: my makeups heavy one, and takes a long time can't afford to have any talk about me and my affairs tonight, whatever comes afterwards Raoul will be In box, and at the end of the first act he,u be at the door of my dressing room The agony of seeing him. of hearing him praise my acting. and say ing dear. trusting. loving words that would make me almost too happy if I hadn't betrayed him, ruined his ca @ Maybe not" said. "And anyhow. there's the necklace. That's some thing"
 "Yes. that's something"
 ''Will Godensky be in the audience, tor I asked.
 'Tm sure he will. He couldn't keep away. MRut he may be late. He won't come until he's had a long talk with the Commissary of Police, and 'rled to thrash matters out"
 'Tf only your theory's right then- if he hasn't dared yet to throw suspi- cion on du Laurier. and If the loss of that letter cease with it's contents is as much of a mystery to him as t is to us. we have a little time before us still: we're comparatively safe for few hours"
 "We're as safe." answered Maxine. with a kind of desperate ralmness, "as if we were in a house with gunpowder stored underneath, and a train laid to fire it. But" she broke off bitterly ''why do I say we? To you all this can be no more than a regret a wor- ry."