Morgan County republican. (Versailles, Mo.) 1906-1914, 1907-11-28

shouts .sr ore ME n ne nad been gf7ss
to understand that I was Sir Mortiraes
But II he were in the confidence &.
Madame Dc WARMER he would do pc
cisely that.
Frankly, the coming Of CAPITALS
Forbes at this time was a surprise
scarcely less disagreeable for me than
for them. Tomorrow, or the day
after. he would have been perhapi
only too welcome. But now the intru
sion was premature. II interfsret
with my W plans as well as theirs,
More than that, I could have wished
myself In a position to torewarn him,
to explain my tactics. II looked as II
| were again in danger OF being caught
~red.handed in a criminal deception,
More than ever would Captain Forbes
be convinced that I was one OF the
conspirators II he discovered &C this
moment that | was not Sir Mortimer.
The man and woman c%onversed to
gether excitedly in a barbaric tongue.
DR.. Starva, II was evident, was vehe
mently advocating some plan; Madame
de WARMER opposing II. But the shock
to which she had been subjected pre-.
vious to the coming OF Captain Forbes
had left her u%nstrung, almost apa
thetic. Hitherto the man had been
sulkily subserylent to the woman: now
his animal strength fought for the
ascendency. He was brushing away
her agitated protests. II was he who
commanded the servant:
SHOW this Captain Forbes to the
armory. | shall see him myself"
Again he spoke fiercely to Madame
de WARMER. She listened to him Id
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 to appeal to the
woman. and not the adventures. !
took her unresisting hand and led her
to one Of the carved seats.
Madame de WARMER, It is a desper.
ate game you are playing" I said.
sternly yet gently. II don't know what
the stakes are, but you are not going
to win them"
A white hand chung to my Goa,
sleeve. Why do you say that?" she
cried, staring at me with %affrighted
eyes.
| pointed silently to the card she
still held in her hand.
There is n factor to be reckoned
with"
She tossed her head in defiance.
DIR. Starva has reckoned with him al.
ready, my friend. Perhaps not In the
best way, but effectually at least. And
the other?"
well, there is myself"
She smiled on me wanly. "If you
were an enemy that might be more Sc
rious, | admit. But | have reckoned
with you. You are to be my friend.
You are to help me-"
THAT remains to be seen. But the
third and most serious factor is treach.
cry" added quietly.
my God! Treachery!"
do you trust DR.. Starya absolute.
ly? Dare you tell me that the death.
mask had as little meaning for him as
for you, until l showed you that sig.
ni%icance?"
But you understood It's meaning as
well as he. Who are you that you
should have this knowledgeT
IL know. perhaps, more than you
think, Madame de Warmer"
1T is incredible" she cried passion.
ately, that l, the Countess Sarahof.
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.
I might have called you by that name
several hours ago"
since you know 30 much" she said
in bitter disgust, perhaps you know
the service | expect to ask Of you"
81 might make a shrewd guess at
even that
She sank back. her fingers inter-
locked supporting her head. she re.
manned some time In gloomy thought,
Suddenly a door slammed. I heard
a faint shout; a tramping 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, l think ! am a hysterical
schoolgirl" She shrugged her shout.
ders in self-contempt. Say that you
know everything, monsieur, SO much
the better. 1t will saw the trouble Of
explaining on the morrow. For | shall
go on with my plan. There is danger,
yes; but | have expected danger. II Is
too late to retreat. ! have risked all
on a single throw. | shall win. Say
that there is treachery-I shall know
how to deal with 1t. He is not indis-
pensable. Yes. my friend, l have a
plan that cannot fail"
You are mistaken" said obstinate
ly. your plan will fail because, II DR..
Starva is not necessary to its success,
! am. And l."
you will perform the service l
shall ask Of you. l hope, l trust, that
you will do this service gladly. Not
for myself. perhaps. but that you may
bring happiness and peace to a down.
trodden people"
gro BE CoNTINUED)