Charlevoix county herald. (East Jordan, Mich.) 189?-1953, 1907-06-22
CHAPTER xIII.-Continued.


oner. The risk l had run to spy on
could surprise them at their nights
work
| laged at my impotence. Then
Thought of the window. Perhaps there
was a balcony.
There was no blind at the window,
but wooden shutters that fastened
with a catch. pushed open the
French windows. Yes, there was the
balcony, and to my joy | saw that it
extended the length of the suite.
And now a new difficulty stared me
in the face. At any moment they
might enter the bedN,Hm, and when /
had gained the balcony, outside the
salon, would shutters prevent my see
ing within?
AS to the first risk l must take it,
The door had jammed before; it
would jam again. The noise made in
opening it would give me some warn
ing.
| gained the balcony; there were
shutters, but | could see readily
through the interstices.
1t was the apartment we had first
entered; and it bore unmistakable
signs of having been infinitely ran
sacked. A large empire desk had been
prled open. Papers had been abstract
ed from the drawers and pigeonholes;
they lay about in confusion. In more
than one place the carpet had been
torn up at the edges.
AS | peered cautiously within, Dr.
Starva was lowering the Venetian
blind of another window. Evidently
they were searching the room with
the knowledge that an article of value
was hidden there.
| heard Madame de WARMER cry out
eXcitedly. A packet, concealed be-
tween the Stats of a Venetian blind,
had fallen to the floor.
Without "a doubt it was 70: this
packet of papers that they had been
searching. Madame de WARMER tore
the envelope in feverish haste. She
scanned the contents of the papers
with intense eagerness, DR.. Starva
looking over her shoulder. AS they
read, their faces expressed disap-
pointment and chagrin. DR.. Starva
questioned Madame de WARMER repeat
eddy. She put aside his fierce inquiries
with Impotence.
And now | made a second discovery.
| thought | understood the meaning
of this extraordinary plot in coming
to the hotel at Vitznau. | had guessed
long since that | bore a sufficiently
striking resemblance to Sir Mortimer
Brett to deceive at least the first cas-
ual glance. Otherwise, why the amaze
ment of the Bretts and Madame de
WARMER in first seeing me? How else
could | explain the events of the
night? They had drugged me, or at
tempted to do so, that | might be
oblivious to inconvenient inquiries or
greetings. The hat and cloak of Sir
Mortimer, which DR.. Starva had pro-
cured in some manner, were unusual
enough in character to be readily rec
ogniZed by the servants of the hotel.
Sir Mortimer was known to be ill., and
my condition would arouse no sus-
picion.
All the facts as | swiftly reviewed
them fitted neatly. The inference was
unmistakable:
This was the suite of Sir Mortimer
Brett. They had come for the packet
Of papers they were now reading. The
presence of Sir Mortimer Brett with
them had gained them ready admis-
sion to his rooms.
And now that they had found the
papers?
Had | served my purpose? Was the
invitation to Madame de Varnier's
chateau ruse cleverly planned sim
ply to bring me to this hotel as Sir
Mortimer?
In that case I must be alert that
they did not slip through my hands,
leaving me here in Sir Mortimer's
rooms to explain my predicament on
the morrow as pest | might
Or was this the prelude to other ad-
ventures even more exciting? Was
the game only just begun?
Still | watched them intently, while
these perplexing questions demanded
an answer They had finished the pa
pers now. DR.. Starva was seated in
sullen gloom; Madame de WARMER
glided to and fro in angry indecision.
A loud knock on the door opening
into the hall startled me almost as
much as themselves. Madame de Var
ner thrust the papers into the bosom
OF her dress; then, while DR.. Starva at
a sign from her answered the sum
mons, she hastily restored the room to
outward signs of order
What is it? Who is there?" Starva
demanded in an agitated voice.
TT is Henri, the concierge" replied
the intruder.
Tomorrow, tomorrow.
"But there is an English gentleman
who says that he must see his Excel
lency."