Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1907-11-09
Until II r5-night," T repeated. I
lifted my hat and walked swiftly to-
ward the chateau.
CHAPTER XXI.

: Spoken she trusted me, who had been
called coward. TO accomplish what the
cleverest and bravest man must have
/ hesitated at promising. For one can
not promise with reason to attempt
successfully the unknown. II was the
vagueness of my mission that made
it so perplexing.
One cannot tear apart lover from
lover as one tears a piece OF paper.
And yet. IL Sir Mortimer were living
and still enamored of his mistress,
had promised 10 attempt even that
II. on the other hand SIR Mortimer
were dead. was to essay a duty even
more difficult: to rescue his great
name from dishonor.
Before midnight then. there were
two things TO be accomplished:
must know the truth from Madame de
Vavnier concerning Sir Mortimer
Brett. whether he were living or dead;
1 must rescue Captain Forbes.
II was to be a double duel. The first
TO be fought was Madame de WARMER.
the weapons TO be of her choosing.
cunning and wit; the second. DR.. Star
va, and he had already shown me
what weapons he preferred.
To arm myself for my fight with him
I supposed would be a simple matter.
But when I made inquiries FOR a gun
smiths shop I learned to my dismay
that there was none I'm Aiterhonen.
was compelled TO return to the cha
teau empty handed.
The terrace was deserted. I crossed
! it. close 60 the castle walls I intend
, ed, If possible, TO enter the han unob-
/ served by the little door under the
winding staircase through which had
Z followed DR. Starva 7 looked eau
tiously into the great room through
one OF the mullioned windows 10
one was about. Once within The cha
teau, and the door locked. 7 gained
my room. and rang the bell for the
servant jacques the lackey who had
shown me TO my room the night be-
fore. answered the call.
1T is half past one" I cried impa-
tiently. "Is Madame de Varrier not
ready for luncheon"
The man looked HIS surprise.
Luncheon has been waiting for
your ENcellency. I came Co your room
some time ago, but there was no an-
swor when 1 knocked"
81 had been wandering about the
chateau I replied carclcssly. $50
luncheon is ready. I hope 7 have not
kept Madame de WARMER waiting too
long2"
Madam bees 90 be excused. Lunch
con is served for Dr. Starva and your
SELF"
followed the man TO the room
where we had dined. not st on pleased
at the seclusion that she affected. 7
I was impatient for action. Nearly 10
hours we're Co olapso before midnieht
/ but there was much Co bo done before
then. And 10 She persisted in not scc-
iug me. wondered how was Co
force my presence ON her. n the
meanwhile I must attempt TO learn
something OF Captain Forbes's detcn-
tiou.
lunched alone. and we'll The alb
scnce of DR. Starva was only to Dee exc
pectcd. Even SO brazon "a villain as
he would hesitate 90 meet me with un-
concern. During the struggle ln The
portor's lodge no word had been
spoken by either OF us. but certainly
my identity any more than was ! OF
his. When we again met. therefore, it
would Doe as avowed enemies.
Frankly. 7 did not look forward to
that meeting with pleasure. The fate
OF Captain Forbes pointed too obvious
a moral I had put myself deliberately
in Starva's power by my return 20 the
chateau. IfIwere unmolested it would
| be because my services We're indls-
! pensable.
I had lighted my cigarette. Jacques
was nolselessly gathering up the
things. I had determined 20 take him
/ into my confidence. I believed ii was
/ he who had brought me the note
! suspected that he was not ignorant OF
/ my leaving the chateau. He had ac-
/ cepted my excuse too readily. AZ any
rate. believed the fellow could be
/ bribed. 1 demanded carelessly:
And DR.. Starva? Is he. too. con
/ fined to his room?"
The man shrugged his shoulders.
/ Evidently he held Dr. Starva in no
great consideration.
"One knows nothing Of him. He Is
mysterious. this Or. Starva"
| 1 looked at the man keenly. The
| adjective was significant.
Everything about this chateau is
mysterious, IL seems TO me-" / re-
marked cheerfully. Last night. for
instance. I could have sworn / heard
the shout OF one in distress
rs 1t possible. monsieur"
And when / retired I found a note
on my pillow. would give a hundred
francs to the man who placed II there
II / could find him"
There is nothing too difficult to be
discovered with diligence. your Excel
lency," he said softly, his crafty eyes
cast down.
so you were the faithful messen-
ger" took out my pocket-boOk.
"A little letter is a simple thing. and
since it was not sealed. ! knew that
madam would not object" He smiled
greedily on the notes that had laid
on the table.
"Ah, you are loyal to Madame de
/ VaTnier?"
Very loyal, monsieur" he returned
with perfect seriousness.
| / intended TO test this admirable