Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1908-04-16
CHAPTER XIII.
London Lovers.

Nearly three weeks had now passed
since the extraordinary disappearance
i of DR.. Petrovitch and his daughter
J from the house in Cromwell Road.
The cleverness with which the re-
moyal of their household goods had
been effected, and the cunning and in
| genuity displayed regarding them,
showed Max Barclay plainly that the
disappearance had been earthly plan
ned, and that those assisting had been
we'll paid for keeping their secret.
And yet, after all, it was quite pos
sible that the men who had recoVed
the furniture from the house were
merely hired for the job, and had gone
away thinking they had acted quite le-
ultimately Harmer's Stores often en-.
gage extra hands, and what would
have been easier than for the foreman
to have paid them, and driven the van
with the false name anon 1t to another
part of London. That was, no DOUBT,
what had really been done.
Max had devoted the greater part
of his time to endeavoring to elucidate
the mystery, but had failed ignomin-
iously The statement made by Marion
concerning, what seemed to be some
confession of Maud's greatly puzzled
him. His well-beloved was loyal to her
friend, and would not betray her,
Times without number he had revert
ed to the question, but she always
evaded his questions.
Only few evenings before, while
they were seated at one OF the little
tables on the lawn of the Welcome
Club at the Earl's Court Exhibition,
of which he was member. he had
again referred to Maud. and asked her
in the interests of his inquiry, to give
him some idea of what she had stated
on that night when they last met.
81 really cannot tell you, Max was
her reply, as she lifted her eyes to his
in the dim light shed by the colored
lamps with which the place was illum
mated. "Have l not already told you
of the promise gave her? You surely
do not wish me to break it! Would ii
be fair, or just? I'm sure you, who arc
always loyal TO woman, would new
er wish me to mention what she. told
me-
"Of course. If it is anything against
her reputation-her honor-then it is
certainly best left unsaid," he replied
quickly. "Only-well, Il thought, per
haps, it might give us a clue to the
motive Of their unaccountable flight
perhaps it might" she admitted
"and yet cannot tell YOU
Does Charlie know? Would he tel
me, dc you thinl?'
II don't think Charlie knows. At an.
rate. she would not tell him. If he doe
know, it must be through some othe
source"
"And you anticipate that what Maui
told you had some connection wit
their sudden disappearance" he ash
ed looking steadfastly into the fac
of the woman he dearly loved.
'I've already told you So"
But when you parted from her tina
night, did you believe that you woul
not meet her again."
She was silent, looking straight b
fore her at the crowd of oilers circ'
lating around the Illuminated bant
stand and enjoying the music and tn
cool air after the sitting London day
At last she spoke, saying in loH
rather strained voice:
II can harly answer that question
Had l suspected anything unusual
think / should have mentioned my a
prehension to YOU"
Eyes, | feel sure you would hay
done so, dearest he declared
cutie see the difficulty of your presal
rosition. And you understand. L
quite sure, how anxious l feel regar