Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1907-10-26
SATURDAY. OCTOBER 20. 1907.

cisely that
Frankly. the coming OF Captain
Forbes at this time was a surprise
scarcely less disaereeabie for me than
for them. Tomorrow, or the day
after. he would have been perhaps
only too welcome. But now the intru-
sion was premature. It interfered
with my own plans as well as theirs.
More than that, could have wished
myself in a position to forewarn him.
10 explain nay tactics. II looked as II
I were asasn in danger Of being caught
red-handed In a criminal deception.
More than ever would Captain Forbes
be convinced that l was one of the
conspirators II he discovered at this
moment that I was not Sir Mortimer.
The man and woman convcrsed to-
gether eXcitcdly In a barbaric tongue.
Or. Starva. it was evident. was vehe-
mently advocating some plan: Madame
de WARMER opposing &c. But The shock
20 which she had been subjected pre-
vious to the coming OF Captain Forbes
had lett her unstrung almost apa-
thetic. Hitherto the man had been
suldly subservient TO the woman: now
his animal strength fought for the
ascendency. He was brushing away
her agitated protests. It was he who
commanded the servant:
show this Captain Forbes TO the
armo-y. I shall see him myself"
Again he spoke fercely TO Madame
de WARMER. She listened to him I'm
silence. her eyes cast down. He
strobe TO the door. stood there a mo-
ment hesitating. then left the room,
shutting the door behind him.
Madame de WARMER remained where
he had left her. trembling violently.
her hands covering her face. This
was my opportunity 20 appeal 60 the
woman, and not the adventures. I
took her unresisting hand aud led her
10 one of the carved seats.
Madame dc WARMER. sc IS a desper-
ate game you are playing" I said.
sternly yet gently. Il don't know what
the stakes are but YOU are not going
60 win them"
white hand cIurg 20 my coat
sleeve. why do you say that?" She
cried, staring st me with amrighted
eyes.
! pointed silently 90 the card she
still held in her hand
There is one factor 10 be reolzoned
with"
She tossed her head in defiance.
Or. Starva has reckoned with him al
ready, my friend. Perhaps not in the
best way, but effectually az least. And
the other?"
Well. there is myself"
She smiled on me wsnly. III you
were an enemy that might be more Sc
rious. I admit But 7 have reckoned
with you. You are 70 be my friend.
You are to help me"
THAT remains 90 be seen. But tho
third and most serious factor IS troach-
cry" I Pdded quietly.
My God, Trescheryi"
do YOU trust Or. Stsrva absolute.
ly? Dare you tell me that the death
mask had ae little meaning for him as
for you. until ! showed you that sig
nihcance?"
But You understood its meaning as
well as he. Who are you that YOU
should have this knowledge"
Il know, perhaps, more than you
think. Madame de Warmer"
1T is incredible" she cried passion
ately. that /. the Countess SarahoT.
should be in the dark. while an Amer
ican tourist"
The name had slipped out in her an
ger; she bit her lips.
"Oh, you need feel no CONSERVATION.
might have called you by that name
several hours ago"
"Since you know so much" she said
in bitter disgust. perhaps you know
the service / expect 10 ask OF you"
L might make 2 shrewd guess at
even that"
She sank back, her fingers inter
locked supporting her head. She re-
NAMED some time in gloomy thought.
Suddenly door slammed. / heard
a faint shout; a tr2mping of feet.
Then there was quiet again. glanced
at my companion. She was listening
intently, her hands clutching the
carved arms of the seat.
Bah, / think / am a hysterical !
schoolgirl" She shrugged her shout |
ders IN self-contempt Say that YOU
know everything, monsieur, so much i
the better. Il viii save the trouble OF |
explaining on the morrow. For shall /
so on with my plan. There is danger,
yes; but I have expected danger. 1t IS |
too late to retreat. I have risked all 4
on a single throw. / shall win. Say
that there is treachery-I shall know /
how 10 deal with It, He Is not indls- /
pensable. Yes, nay friend. have a
plan that cannot fail"
you are Mistaken said obstinate l
ly. Your plan will fail because, if DR.. i
Starva is not necessary to it's success,
/ am. And +"
You will perform the service Z |
shall ask Of you. hope. ] trust, that 1
you will do this service gladly. Not 1
for myself, perhaps. but that you may /
bring happiness and peace to a down
trodden people"
''If you we're asking that service OF !
Ernest Haddon il is possible that he !
might do it. But IL you are asking /
Ernest Haddon TO stoop TO dlshonor-
70 masquerade in a character to which /
he has no right"
Ernest Haddon viii stin do that
Sarvfco