Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1907-11-23

j am asking you a terrible Sacrlnce- L
am dragging you with me to the
depths. But there is no other TO help
us. Say thst you will
your grief robs you OF your rea-
son." said gently. Escape is not TO
be found in that way. II is the last
hope OF a desperate and INSCRIPTIONS
adventures. who has herself little
hope Of success. II is her last card.
and she will lose nothing by playing
it. But we. you and l, We risk every
thing-"
"Ah, you refuse, You are afraid OF
the risks. / might have known you
would be afraid. That woman said
that II was hopeless to ask a service
so heroic from one who was a proven
oh. forgive me. / did not mean TO
say that"
Miss Brett. think there is no dis
grace 1 would not gladly endure TO
help you. I swore to rescue your
brothers honor II II were possible II
! could do so now. though 1 sacrificed
myself. I tell you 1 would. More than
that. though every instinct tells me
that / should fail. 1 will do what you
ask even now
Heaven bless youi" She cried
brokenly
But first OF all want you 10 realize
clearly just what you are asking.
want you to be quite sure that you are
not adding dishonor 70 dlshonor in
asking me TO do this thing. No: It is
not that l am afraid. / have not that
-
Of us should be so cowardly as 70 yield
70 this woman's demands. In the ora
tory yonder lies your brother. Ask
yourself. when you see him, il Il is
merely the merciful hand OF death that
has smoothed his forehead. or whether
the calm and serenity is that OF man
who held the motto OF his mouse, Hon
or, My Sword"
This appeal was perhaps not wholly
sincere. One cannot deny facts be-
cause ole wishes 20. Il still seemed
TO me that It must be true that Sir
Mortimer was proven guilty Of taking
brides.
Nor did I dare tell Helena now OF
my wild conjecture. I dared not raise
her hopes at the risk OF a speedy dis
illusionment. Once the papers we're
in my possession, together we could
defy Madame de WARMER. And n dis
appointment was 20 be mine I hoped
that by the bier of her brother Helena
would recover her courage ard clear
vision.
Again I was alone. But Madame de
WARMER who had awaited the result
OF Helena's intercession. now came to-
ward me. ] saw with a thrill OF thank
fulness that the door OF the room OF
the safe was not closed.
you told me that Il would be for
her to decide" she said confidently.
81 know that she has decided. And
your own decision? Does your reso-
luton falter?"
You are mistaken" began TO
pace the floor with rapid steps. ad-
vancing nearer and nearer 70 the room
OF the safe. she has not yet de-
cided. / believe with all my heart that
she will refuse. She is in your oratory
there. She viii gain strength from
the presence Of the dead TO defy you"
Perhaps" sneered the woman. She
seated herself near the table slightly
turned from the room she had left
An instant and I had gained It. and
drawn the bolt. Another and was on
my knees. my fingers trembllngly
whiriing about the shining surface OF
the little knob that controlled the com
bination.
COWARD.
wbIrled IT this way and that, then
pulled at the handle.
Il resisted my efforts. A cold per-
spiration broke out on my forehead. I
had been a victim OF my own madness.
But again ! moved the knob this
time slowly, with infinite care. with
the calmness that comes with despair
! heard the woman without call my
name in a frenzy OF rage. her hands
beating against the door.
Once more I turned the handle. II
yielded to my touch. The safe was
open.
saw no papers OF any sort in the
large compartment. II was empty
with the exception OF a jewel case. I
slipped out a drawer. the only one In
the safe. Two packets were there.
1 seized them greedily. was about
TO open them, when shadow fell
across the room. There was a light
step behind me. / looked up, the pa
pers in my hand
Captain Forbes was standing by my
side.
He had made his entrance through
the open window.
Good evening, Sir Mortimer"
I rose to my feet, staring at him
stupehed.
Il am sorry IL my abrupt and I'M
ceremOnious entrance has alarmed
you" he said moclingly, and regarded
me with a cold smile.
You have managed to escape?" 1
stammered.
Exactly; and / hope do not In
convenience you. With your permits
sion, sir. will withdraw the bolt. This
little room reminds me too well of the
one have just left. II is too cramped
for my taste"
He brushed by me brusquely and
drew the bolt. / thrust the papers in
my breast pocket. With one molten
1 closed the safe softly, and turned the
knob.
CHAPTER xxx.
Trapped