The Washington herald., 1908-03-26
CHAPTER xxx.
The snider,s PnrIor


/, naturally am very anxious that he
should not make an unhappy marriage. ''
IL hope that you win not say that
have told you exclaimed the girl quick
ly. II know / ought not to-
Whatever is said between us in this
room. Miss Rolfe, is said in strictest con-
fdence," the millionaire declared. Il
have a good many secrets in my keeping,
you know. Therefore rest assured that
whatever you tell me goes no further"
You are against his marriage" she
suggested. looking him boldly in the face
II have not said so I am only seek
ing Information about the lady-Maud
PetrOviteh, I think you said was her
nameg"
Whatever I can tell you is only in her
favor. She was dear-a very dear
friend of mine"
"Ah. then you have quarreled-eh?'' he
said. looking at her sharply.
No"
used the past tense"
Il know
'Why?"
'Because'-and she grew confused
'well, because something has happened. %
ITO interrupt pure friendship"
She did not reply. He had craftily led
up the conversation to Maud and was,
as he had openly told her. seeking IN
formation. He watched the flush upon
her cheeks. and the nervous manner in
which she picked at her skirt.
And yet, though you are friends no
longer, you are in favor of your broth
er's marriage with the lady? That ap-
pears strange I suppose he loves her
Every man loves at his age, and lives 70
regret ii at forty" he added with that
touch of biting sarcasm that was never
absolutely absent from his remarks.
Yes; Charlie does love her. I'm con-
vinced Of that. And her devotion to him
has always been very marked. from the
first time they were introduced at AK
les-Rains. She has told me how deep is
her affection for him"
AT Aix-les- -Bains." Statham exclaimed
in surprise. Il thought DR.. Petrovitch
lived in London?"
And so he did-untn recently"
Where is he now? l would much like
20 meet him again"
Il do not know. He left London sud
denly with his daughter"
Your brother would know. Of course o.
NO. He also is unaware Of their pres
ent whereabouts she answered quickly
adding: 'Recollect your promise not tc
mention the matter to him."
When I make a promise. Miss Rolfe,
keep it, was his grave response. only
forgive me for saying so. but you appear
10 be a little eyasive regarding the doc
tors daughter
"Evasive?" She echoed. Il don't un-
derstand you, Mr. Statham."
We'll, you are trying 10 mislead me,
he answered, knitting his brows and
looking her straight in the face And
let me say that when YOU try TO mislead
Sam Statham You have a difficult task. +"
She stared at his sudden change Of man.
ner and again became confused.
Now" ne said. bending forward %
her from his chair. 'let us understand
each other at the outset You were the
most intimate friend Of this girl Maud
who. with her father. suddenly disap-
peared from London. The facts Of theiI
disappearance are already known to me-
I may as well tell you that much They
vanished, and took their household goods
with them Perhaps they were afraid
Of anarchists or political enemies. or per-
haps the doctor Is wanted by the police
Who knows? II was a mystery. and as
such remains Is not that so?"
She nodded This knowledge OF his as
founded her. She had believed that the
disappearance was only known to the
two or three persons who had been the
Petrovitchs' personal friends. She little
dreamed OF the many spies in the pay
of the great financier. men and women
who reported TO him any political move
at home or abroad which might influence
ha ha ~or-lH -
lieved that Sam Statham was omni-
present. They knew nothing Of his
agents, or of their secret visits.
Now, Miss Rolfe. let us advance one
step further" the old man said. still keep
ing his keen gaze upon hers. If you
will kindly carry your mind back 10 the
day Of their disappearance, you Will re-
member that you accompanied the doc
tors daughter TO a concert at Queen S
Hall"
How do you know that%' she cried,
starting up from her chair
How 1 know il Is immaterial." he said
firmly Kindly reseat yourself"
Il will not" she declared boldly. you
are cross-examining me as though l were
a criminal This is outrageous
Il politely request you to sit down. Miss
Rolfe," he said. never moving a muscle.
Her beautiful face was flushed with re-
sentiment and anger, as. standing erect
before him, she faced him in open de-
fiance
4 see no further point in this inter-
view" was her cool reply Il will go -
I think II would be wiser for you to
remain, he responded. in a COW, defer
mined voice; wiser for you to answer
my questions
Il have already answered them"
Il wish TO know something further. &"
he said, stirring again in his chair. and
waving his hand with repeated request
that she would be reseated.
I have nothing to conceal" was her
reply, attempting to smile. why should
II"
why. indeed" he said. Il ay as well
tell you that ! have reasons-yery strong
business reasons-for elucidating this
mystery concerning Or. Petrovitch. To
me il involves a question of many thou
sands OF pounds. I have considerable in
terests out in Servia. as your brother
may have explained to you must find
the doctor, and the reason 1 have asked
you here tonight is 10 invoke your aid
IN assisting me TO do so. Can I be more
explicit?"
He looked in her face. but a shrewd
observer would have told by the waver-
ing smile at the corners or his mouth that
he was not speaking the exact truth.
There was some Interior motive under
lying II ALL
Though she did not detect this, she
was still undecided. Anger was aroused
within her by his commanding manner
His attitude had changed so SUDDENLY that
she had been taken thoroughly aback
1 am afraid. Mr.. Statham. that I can
not render you any assistance In discox-
ering the whereabouts OF the Petro-
vitchs"
But, my dear young LADY, he cried