The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1907-07-26
CHAPTER xIx.-.contInued.

as 10 were, by gsnddrmes? My own
peril would be extreme.
II was hopeless to prevent the In.
evitable. The rescue OF Captain
Forbes would be accomplished: my
complicity in the intngues OF DR.
starya and Madame de WARMER would
be taken for granted. Expectations
would be useless My very presence
in the chateau would be face evidence
OF my guilt.
And so | had played my desperate
game 20 no purpose.
To save myself-that was my one
thought Two courses lay before me
could make my way TO Captain
Forbes? Could | effect his pelease be
fore Helena returned with help? If
that were possible, and IL | could
hastily make my position clear to the
kings messenger all might yet be
well At least so far as the establish
menL Of my innocence was concerned.
Or | might overtake Helena Brett.
To her | might make my confession.
And If she were persuaded. not only
that | was acting In her interests. but
that my plan TO clear up Sir Morti-
meris disappearance promised success.
might even now be successful.
II was my fear that she would scorn.
fully refuse both to believe my story
and 20 accept my ai1 that made me
hesitate as 10 this course
1t was DR.. Starva who decided for
me
lie had appeared on the terrace be
low. and he was following Helena
Brett
had read Captain Forbes's message
as Well as Helena. Why. then, could
there not have been a third person
interested in the strange antics of the
mirror And If this surmise were
true If Or. Starva or Madame de
WARMER had read the message? They
had not hesitated TO use desperate ex
pedients 10 gain their purpose. Would
Or. Starva hesitate TO use means as
desperate to prevent Helena from
summoning help?
I asked myself this startling ques-
ton as took the stairs two at time
10 the great hall. The main entrance
was locked For a moment | thought
that was prisoner in the chateau as
we'll as Captain Forbes. Even now |
am not certain that such was not the
intention Of Madame de WARMER. But
Dr. Starva had gained the terrace by
a small door close by tho spiral stair
case In his haste he had forgotten to
lock this door.
Desperate as was my own haste /
took the precaution Of locking the side
door after me and placing the key in
my pocket My reasons for this were
vague enough II was an instinct that
prompted me 10 take the precaution
rather than deliberate reflection. But
perhaps might be able TO regain the
chateau IN due time by this side en-
trance, and none be the wiser. For
as far as I knew had effected my
exit unobserved.
In the meanwhile I ran swiftly after
Helena and Or. Starva | had lost
sight ~ both. l soon came to an end
~ the promenade. II led directly into
the main street Of the village. Now
that had gained the village street
looked eagerly about for them. Neither
was In sight | guessed that Helena
Brett would make Ter way as soon as
possible to the hotel where she was
known What hotel? That was the
question.
halted an urchin and asked him
the name Of the best hotel in Alter
hofon "0h. the Grand hotel" he an
swered without hesitation: that is
where all the English lords and Amer
lean millionaires stay"
Then let him take me hither; |
tempted HIM with a franc.
Evidently the gentleman is in a
hurry"
assured him that | was. and prom
lsed him two francs IL | could reach
the hotel before a lady whom | was
following.
Then. the gentleman must go by
the short cut"
! sped after the wchin down the vii
lagc street.
rms street is one or the most quaint
IN 'he whole world. There are two
stores OF shops on either side. The
pavement Of the shops below is rooted
over this covered passageway is the
pavement for the second series of
shops above. | was on the lower pave
ilent and this explains how was
aole to reach a fight of steps. the cut
sne youngster had promised, before
heiena or Dr. Starva.
AZ the foot OF these steps the young.
'er Dolted, assuring me that should
iuu me hotel when had reached the
top Of the fight
inese steps pierced wall OF one
~ 'ne houses of the village street.
ne night was straight for the first
- Or SO, then 1t turned curiously on
Ntue landing at right angles. Here
was IN semidarkness. CROPPED my
va way for the continuance of the flight.
a ~ frst series of steps. began to see
'nl'N mad ended at a sort of porter's
.ose' learned afterwards that this
Al HaN