Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1908-04-28
CHAPTER XXXIV.
The Mysterious Mademoiselle,

|
| The future, nay, the very life, Of
to his own admission to his secretary,
upon the honor of Maud Petrovitch.
| The position was, to say the least,
| strangely homogeneous Here was a
man whose power and wealth were
world-famous, a man whom kings and
princes sought to conciliate and load
with honors, which he steadfastly re-
fused to accept, dependent for his life
upon woman, little more than
child.
Charlie Rolfe had thought over his
masters strange, enigmatical words
many times. Maud-his Maud whom
he loved so dearly, and who had so
suddenly and mysteriously gone out
of his life-was to be sacrificed. Why
What did old Sam mean when he ut.
tered those words, each of which had
burnt indelibly into his soul.
"You have promised to save me:
you have sworn to assist me, and the
sacrifice is imperatiye!" Statham had
said. 1T is her honor-or my DEATH"
Each time he entered the grim por-
tails of the silent house in Park Lane
those fateful words required to him
| and chilly, even on those sunny days
of early September, and old Levi
seemed more sphinx-like and solemn
A dozen times hao he been on the
point of referring again to the mat
ter, but each time he had refrained,
for the millionaire's manner had now
! changed. He was less anxious, and
far more bright and hopeful. The dis
to have wrought a great change in
him, for the old Scot frequently spent
the evening there, being telegraphed
for from Glasgow, ostensibly to discuss
business matters.
On the day following Marion's visit
to Park Lane Charlie was in Paris,
having been sent there overnight up-
on pressing message to the branch
house in the Avenue de POpera, for
Statham Brothers were as well known
for their stability in France as in
England
Just before twelve o'clock, as he
was issuing from the fine offices of the
firm into the street, he stumbled
against rather short but we'll dress
ed girl of about twenty-four. He rails
ed his hat, and in English asked her
H>S- q Ii,
she replied in the same tongue.
"Oh, really no apology is needed,
Mr.. Rolfe."
He glanced at her inquiringly.
Il really haven't the pleasure Of
your name," he said, still upon the
doorstep of the office. At all events,
she was rather good looking and well
bred, even if her stature was a trifie
diminutive. Her gown was in excel
lent taste, too.
my name really doesn't matter"
she laughed. 81 know you quite we'll
you are Mr.. Charlie Rolfe, old Mr.. Stat
hams secretary.
Then in an instant. the truth flashed
across his mind This girl must be
one of old Sans friends-one of his
secret agents controlled and paid from
the Office in Old Broad street.
you wish to speak to me-eh?'
he asked, in quick, business like
way.
YES I do Let us stroll some
where where we can talk" Then
after a moments reflection she added:
"The Tuileries Gardens would be IL
good place. We might avoid caves
troopers there
Certainly" he said, and, rather in
terested in the adventure. he strolled
along at her side. She put I'D her
pale blue sunshade, for it was a hot
day, and at that hour the avenue was
deserted, for the work girls were not
yet out from the numerous ateliers in
the neighborhood, and half Paris was
away at the spas or at the sea.
Rolfe knew many of old Sans spies.
but had never seen this English girl
before. That she was lady seemed
evident by her manner and speech,
and that she had something of i'm
portance to tell him was plain. She
had, no doubt, learned of his flying
visit to Paris-for he meant to leave
for London at four oclock-and had