The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1907-12-28
sStarva has turned traitor. Have
MT told yoa that he trapped Madame
Il WARMER with the rest OF NJ?

49, II
| MT told yoa that he trapped NADINE
4 WARMER With the rest of us!"
was becoming desperate. The min
utes was flying swiftly, and Locke was
even more aggressive than when ne
had first surprised me. To reason
with him was impossible unless I told
him all. There was no time for that.
Force alone could rescue me from my
dilemma. If it was hopeless to disarm
his suspicious, could rob him OF the
revolver in his hip pocket? I made
no further attempt to resist. stood
passiyely, waiting my chance.
$50 Starva has turned traitor!
Locke questioned ironically. But II
the Countess Sarahoff is so anxious TO |
outwit her former confederate-if the
|, life of Prince Ferdinand is actually In
peril and she would save him, why did
, she not send man for that desperate
work? Why did she not let Captain
Forbes escape instead of you? Would
he be SO averse to the saving OF q
kings life? Even II you believe her
3 silly yarn, she has tricked you. You
are clay in her hands; her kisses have
lbewitched you"
4 made no answer to his taunts. I'm
. consciously he had loosened his hold.
! stood as one crushed by his vindic-
tive. Scorn. My attitude confessed
defeat. Locke believed the acted lie
when he had CONTEMPORARY sconeo
at the truth.
"Once more. your errand, and no
v3ch n EoT0l~
nand; you pretend that IL the futile
: errand Madame de Varnier SENDS you
ON. You would penetrate the strong
!, hold of a desperate band unarmed-
!, Won who only this morning saw
voung girls life threatened and raised
;. no hand. II it was cowardice that
made you hesitate. why should the
coward play the hero so bravery now
:. Or was it that you are the ally OF the
very man whom you pretend you are
anxious to confront empty-handedT
" III have done my best to move you
=, What do you want? am IN your
hands"
81 want the truth"
sT have told you the truth. II leo
- II might avail me more" said bitter
w HFor the last time / entreat you
.lI have been proved a coward-twice
But this was to be my chance. hopee
to retrieve myself. But fate blocks
the way with fool who cannot SCI
when a man is desperately in earnest
Ferdinand's murder is certain II w
lift no hand to save him. Listen: II
my pocket is the key to the little doo
Just beyond you. Take 1T; let your
self into the hall; hide there and US
the evidence of your own eyes.
and let you slip from my hands
Not much! What is that?"
He turned abruptly. The accom-
II lplice of DR.. Starva who had been keel
ing guard before the door was runnin
toward the. passageway leading frol
n the village street. I could hear al
Fl tinctly the carriage Wheels rump
lover the cobblestones."
II For the last time" I besougn
II aThere is not an instant to lose-"
I'll Still he hesitated. looking cautious
around the angle of the wall at the
: Iproaching carriage His curiosity ma
him negligent.
Fl This was my chance. One ar
caught him about the neck; the 9th
= reached for his weapon. Then
pushed him violently backward a
covered him, retreating myself iowa
the little door. the key in my hand.
"Stand back" whispered fierce
: .sNow take you choice. Go to the
p Ilage: you can't go too quickly, y
stubborn idiot. Come back with gel
: armes: batter down the door. Or e.
Il lcome with me. You have accused
II of cowardice more than once. Sh
You are man. Quickly, your choice
l heard him chuckling softly to 81
self in the darkness.
II well, I'm damned" he mutter
~ more than once. Lead on, Macdu
AS my key slipped into TIE lock
was at my side.
/ pushed the little door open.
The hall was empty. but brilli
with the light of hundred cand
No nook or Granny afforded us
hfding-place.
leaned ND the staircase with Lo
at my heels. We had reached the
a ~ llery as the great door swung Open
a. ~ Prince Ferdinand entered, DR.. Sta
. him and his ally crowding him close
work either sioe.
time The prince stepped n'o eue "A.
him. apparent commence. Du. 20 He ~
sum- the door clang behind him he cur
alertly to DR.. Starva-
ut where is Madame de varnier!'
IA the demanded In French.
Madame de varnier II unavoiol