Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1907-10-26
CHAPTER XIV.
The Kings Messenger.

IeSUes6lyr out QlQ not open my eyes.
Presently the woman seated herself at
my bedside. DR.. Starva left the room,
the door being slightly ajar.
I could not resist the tenn ptation 20
half open my eyes. Madame de Var
nier was praying fervently, regarding
with passionate alteration a jeweled
cross held before her eyes. A peremp-
tory knock at the door OF the drawing
room opening on the corridor put an
abrupt end to these devotions, which
seemed 20 me so incongruous. Shs
clssped her hands; she listened, rigid
with anxiety. 1t may be imagined that
myself listened. scarcely less anX-
tous. Il was the concierge again.
Here rs the Enslishman's card. He
says he is a kings messenger. He
brings important dispatches. He in
sists that were his Exceliency at tho
point OF death he must none the less
place these dispatches ia bis hands to-
night"
But as his ETceuency's physician 1
forbid e." replied DR.. Stsrva. with de-
termination.
And" entreated the woman gliding
70 the door. can you not make him
understand how disagreoable it would
be FOR me 90 be surprised in these
rooms. and that &c would annoy SIR
Mortimer beyond measure7"
1T is useless. madam. Have I not
told him that embarrassing circum-
stances make &c impossible that his
Excellency be officially recognized to-
night2"
And still he insists" inquired Star
va angrily.
CAS- only the stubborn English can
insist. lie is outside the door at this
moment He has sent mo 20 you. not
90 ask permission. but 20 announce
his coming. He refuses 20 20 away
until be has seen his Excellency. n
the door Is not opened in Eve minutes
he VIII call tho manager OF the hotel"
"His nance"
q am giving you his card"
Captain Reginald Forbes" read
Madame de vnrnier. We'll. we will
admit this Captain Forbes"
7 listened 20 this dialogue with a
trepldation that deprived me OF power
60 think or act That fatal indecision
which. on certainly one occasion. had
already brought IT'S tragic penalty
again seized mo. The crisis impeud-
ing might leave IN its wake conse-
Quences too grave 90 be thought Of
might leave ne q man disEraced and
liable 20 the extreme penalty OF the
law. And yet 7 Jay SIN. fra a night
mare OF ndecision and inaction. It
was the same uumbncss OF viii that
had paralyzed me on the Straleeg
Pass. Heaven grant that the conse-
Qucnces now De not az disastroust
Iheard the click OF a revolver. Then
Captain Forbes was admitted 90 the
salon.
Where IS Sir Mortimer Brett?" he
demanded harshly. II must see him
without further delay May I ask who
you are. sire"
THE physician OF his Exccuencv."
replied Starva. bowling. lie was no
longer attempting 20 deny that was
Sir Mortimer Brett. "Sir Mortimer
IS seriously ill. I refuse 20 permit
him 20 be disturbed 7 have brought
him here % Nitznau. hoping that the
old surroundings may induce him 70
sleep. It IS nervous disorder that
has Frustrated Sir Mortimer He has
suffered terribly from Insomnia. There
are moments when he IS delirious. To
bring him sleep Il was necessary to
give him an opiate. you understand.
II he is awakened he may be sane or
he may deny his very identity"
which is his room?"
Captain Forbes, I forbid IT, II Is
impossible. I warn you"
Madame de WARMER opened the door
Of the bedroom quietly.
IF the gentleman insists on awak-
Ing Sir Mortimer we are powerless. "
she said gently. But at least let him
not be excited more than necessary,
sir"
Il shall endeavor TO follow your IN
structions. madam" said Forbes stiny.
he strobe 20 my bedside I could
imagine with what breathless anxiety
the Adventures watched him. Was
he sufficiently intimate with Sir Nor.
timer Brett 70 denounce me instantly
as an impostor?
Your Excellencyi" he said gently.
i'Your Excellencyi"
The immediate danger Of discovery
was past At least he had not de.
tected the deception so far. He called
ne aHalAs nt cAOOk NY SnOulQGE re-
specially. ] opened my eyes.
What is it?" demanded, bewildered.
/ am Mortified to-day when 1 think Of
the facility that was mine IN playing
this game OF intrigue. l looked Ian
guIdly from Captain Forbes 20 Madame
de Varnier. who had resumed her seat
at the bedside. The question was ad.
dressed to her.
She took my hand. This is Captain
Forbes. a kings messenger. He has
brought you dispatches Of impor
lance"
"Ah, yes" I said YEARLY, and looked
at him with dull eyes.
Il am sorry 20 arouse you. SIR
Contempt for the man struggled with
respect for his Office. But my orders
at the Foreign Ofice were TO give you
these papers at the earliest possible
moment. The business is urgent. Mar
suggest that you read them at once?'
My eyes unconsciously turned tc