The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1907-09-12

that he suspected Maxine de Renz,c
OF being n political spy In the pay 81
England. He would have advised that
| my movements be watched for the
| next few days; that English agents or
the French police be warned to watch
also. on their side of the channel. He
would have argued to himself that N
ID sent any document away, with
Raouls connivance or without, would
be wanting 1t back as soon as pos-
sible, and he would have mentioned "a
me police that possibly messenger
would bring me something--if my CIR
respondence through tile post was
found to contain nothing compromls-
ing. Oh, there have been eyes on me
and on every movement OF. mine, Tn,
| sure. See how efficient, though quit.
the methods have been where you're
concerned. They-the police-knew tho
name OF the man l was to meet here
at this hotel: and IT, as Godcnsky
must have hoped, any document be-
longing to the French government had
been found on you or me, everything
would have played into his hands.
Raoul would have been ruined his
heart broken. and but there are no
words to express what I would have
suffered. what may yet have to suf-
fer. Godensky would be praised for
his cleverness. as we'll as securing n
| satisfactory revenge on me for refus-
ing him. The only thing which re-
joices mo now is the thought OF his
blank disappointment when he gets
the news from the Commissary of -
lice"
You don't believe then" ] asked.
that Godensky has had any hama in
the disappearance of the treaty."
Il would believe 1t. II 1t weren't for
M prl kInra hot
Even II Count Godensky could nave
known OF Raoul's mission with the
diamonds. and got them into his own
hands. he wouldn't have let them get
out again with every chance of their
going back TO Raoul, and thus saving
him from his trouble. He'd do nothing
to help. but everything to hinder.
There lies the 'nystery--in the return
OF the necklace instead OF the treaty.
You have no knowledge of II. you
tell me: yet you come to me with IL In
your Docket--the necklace stolen from
Raoul du Laurier. days ago. In Am
sterdam or on the way there"
You're certain It's the same2"
Certain as that YOU are you. and /
am i. And I'm not out Of my mind
yet-though 1 soon shall be. unless
you somehow save me from this hor-
ror.''
I'm going to try" ] said. "Don't
give up hope I wish though. that YOU
hadn't TO act to night"
80 do I. But there's no way gu.
of It. And I must go now to the
theatre. or shall he late: my make
ups a heavy one, and takes a long
time. can't afford to have any talk
about me and my affairs tonight,
whatever comes afterwards. Raoul
will he in box. and at the end OF
the first act he'll he at the door Of
my dressing-room. The agony Of see
ing him. OF hearing him praise my
acting, and saying dear trusting. low
too happy. II l hadn't betrayed him.
ruined his career forever!
May be not" I said. "And. any
how. there's the necklace. That's
something
Yves. thats something.''
"wil Godensky be In the audience.
too?" I asked.
I'm sure he will. He couldn't keep
away. But he may be late. He won't
come until he's had a long talk with
the Commissary of Police. and tried
to thrash matters out
III only your theory's right then
LII he hasn't dared yet to throw sus-
picion on du Laurier, and If the loss
of that letter-case with Its contents
is as much of n mystery to him as
1t is to us, we have little time be
fore us still: we're comparatively sale
for few hours"
We're as safe" answered Maxine
| with a kind of desperate calmness. "as
IL we were in house with gunpowde1
stored underneath, and train laid u
fire It, But" she broke off bitterly
"why do ] say We? To you all this
can be no more than regret n
worry"
you know that's not just! ! re-
preached her. I'm in this with you
now, heart and soul. / spoke no more
than the truth when ] said I'd give
my life. If necessary, to redeem my
failure. Already I've given somethlnS.
but
What have you given?r she caught
me up quickly.
MY hope of happiness with girl
I love as you love du Laurier" l an
swered, then regretted my words and
would have taken them back II could.
for she had heavy enough burden to
bear already. without helping me bear
mine.
II don't understand" she said.
''Den't think of 1t. You can do moth
ing; and don't grudge the sacrifice
or anything 1 hurried on.
"Yet 1 will think of 1t, If / >ver
have time to think of anything beyond
this tangle. But now, it must be au
revoir. Save me, save Raoul II you
can Ivor. What you can do, l don't
know. I'm cropping in darkness. Yet
you're my one hope. For PHYS sake
come to my house when the play is
over, to tell me what you've done, II
you've been able to do anything. BE
there at twelve"
II PROMISE.
(To be Continued To-morrow,)