The Washington herald., 1908-03-09
CHAPTER XII.
In which n woman's Honor Ia at
Stake.


in thin, weak voice. But by your aid
I may yet extricate myself"
The younger man saw that the other
was full Of fear Never had he seen his
employer so nervous and utterly un-
strung. The mystery OF It all fascinated
him Statham had unwittingly acknowl-
edged having been present at the pre-
sumed death of John Adams, and that in
itself was a very suspicious circumstance.
Whatever assistance I can give / am
quite ready to render it, he said. little
dreaming what dire result would attend
that offer.
"Ah, yesr' cried the old man. thank
fully. grasping his secretary's hand. II
knew you would not refuse. Rolfe. II
you succeed 1 shall owe my life to you;
you Understanding lifew And he looked
straight into the young mans face, add
ing, And Samuel Statham never forgets
10 repay a service rendered"
i look for no repayment" he said.
You have been so very good 10 my sister
and myself that 1 owe you deep debt Of
gratitude"
"Ahl your sister. Where is she now?''
"At Cunningtons. in oxford street"
''Oh. yes / forgot. I wrote 10 Cum
ningtOn myself regarding her didn't /?
hope she's comfortable If not. tell me.
I'm the largest shareholder in that busi-
ness"
You are very kind" replied the young
man. But she always says she is most
comfortable. and all the principals are
very kind to her OF course. it was hard
for her at first when she commenced TO
earn her own living. The hours, the con-
hnement and the rigorous rules were
irksome 20 a girl OF her character, always
being used as she had to freedom and a
country life"
Yes" replied the old man rather
thoughtfully. Il suppose so. But II She 5
getting on well. am quite satisfied
Should she have any complaint 10 make,
don't fan 10 let me know"
Rolfe thanked him. The old fellow not
withstanding his eccentricities. was al
ways a generous master.
There was a pause. during which the
millionaire walked TO the window, peered
out TO see II the shabby watcher had re-
turned. and then came back again TO his
table.
Rolfe." he commenced. as he seated
himself, with surprising calmness, i have
spoken more openly TO you this afternoon
than 1 have spoken 70 any one for many
years First, yOu must remain in Lon
don. Just ring them up in the city and
tell them 20 send Sheldon here, and say
that he must leave for Belgrade tonight
/ will see him at o'clock
The secretary took up the transmitter
of the telephone line 10 the Offices OF
Statham Brothers in Old Broad street
and in a few moments was delivering the
principals message to the manager.
Sheldon will be here at for instruc-
tions." he said. as he replaced the trans
mitter
Then sit down. Rolfe-and listen.'' the
old man commanded, indicating a chair
az the side Of The table.
The young man obeyed. and the great
fnancier commenced
You have promised your help and also
complete secrecy, have you not?"
II shall say nothing" answered the
other, at the same time eager to hear
some closed page in the old mans his
tory. rely upon MY discretion"
He was wondering whether the gray
faced old fellow was aware Of the start
ling events of the previous evening in
Cromwell road His spies had told him Of
Maud. They perhaps had discovered that
amazing truth Of what had occurred IN
that house, new deserted and empty.
Was It possible that old Statham. being
in possession Of his secret did not now
fear 70 repose confidence in him. for he
knew that # he were betrayed he could
on his part make an exposure that must
prove both ruinous and fatal. The crafty
old fnancier was not the person 70 place
himself unreservedly in the hands of any
man who could possibly turn his enemy.
He had an Interior motive without
doubt But what it was Charles Rolfe
was unable 70 discover
''The mouth of that man Adams must
be closed" said the old man, in slow,
deliberate voice land you alone are able
to accomplish it. Do this for me. and
can afford 10 pay WELL; and he regarded
the young man with a meaning look.
Was it possible that he suggested foul
play? ROlfe wondered. Was he suggest
ing that he should lurk in some dark
corner and take the life of the shabby
wayfarer who had recently returned to
England after a long absence?
1T is not a question OF payment" Rolfe
replied. 1T is whether any effort OF mine
can be successful
Yes; I know. I admit, Rolfe that I
was a fool. I ought 10 have listened to
you when you first told me of his re-
appearance. and l ought to have ap-
preached him and purchased his silence.
l thought myself shrewd. and my eau
tiousness has been my undoing'
From the little I know. fear that the
purchase OF the fellows silence is now
out Of the question. A week ago it could
have been effected. but now he has cast
all thought Of himself TO the winds. and
his only object is revenge"
Revenge upon myself" sighed the old
man, his face growing a trife paler as
he feresaw what q terrible vengeance
was within the power of that shabby
stranger. ''Ahi / know. He will be re-
lentiess. He has every reason to be II
what has been told him aad been true.
A faI- xrb fG
fore. the truth-the truth that would save
my honor and my life-can never be told"
he added. with a desperate look upon his
countenance
''Then you have been the victim of
liar2" Rolfe said
''Yes-of a man who. jealous of my
prosperity. endeavored 10 ruin me by
making a false statement. But his re-
ward came quickly I retaliated with
my financial strength. and in year he
was ruined. To reeoup himself, ne COM
mitted forgery. was arrested. and six
months later died In prison-but without
confessing that what he had said con-
corning me was a foul invention John
Adams believed it-and because of that.
among other things. is my bitterest enc
my"
But is there no way Of proving the
truth?'' asked Rolfe. surprised at this
story.
None. The fellow put forward in sup
port OF his story proofs which he had
forged. Adams naturally believed they
were genuine"
And where are those proofs now?"
Probably in Adams possession He
has no doubt boarded them for use at the
moment OF his triumph"
Rolfe did not speak for several mo-
r1ents.
A week ago those proofs might I be-