The Washington herald., 1908-04-11
CHAPTER XVII.
Contains More Mystery.

Contains More Mystery.
The old-fashioned. nl-cut gown Of black
stuff and the rather unbecoming big black
hat gave Sans visitor an appearance OF
being older than she really was. A spot
ted veil concealed her features, but as she
entered the room she raised it quickly.
The face revealed was the soft, sweet
countenanee of Maud Petrovitch.
Charlie gripped his companions arm
and gave vent to an exclamation of
amazement as he stood peersng forth
open-mouthsd.
As the girl entered, the old man turned
hercely upon her and uttered some in
euiry. What It was the watchers could
not distinguish. for thick plate glass
stood between the conservatory and the
library. Yet whatever he said or how
ever caustie and bitter his manner. the
young girl stood defiant
Her chin was raised, her eyes flashed
upon him. and her gloved hand was out
stretched in gesture Of calm denuncia-
tion as she replied with some words that
caused the Old fellow to draw back in
surprise and confusion.
The door had closed, for Levi had left
the pair together. Max wondered wheth-
er the old servant would now come and
search the back premises prior TO locking
up. II so. they might easily be discov-
cred. Those felt-soled boots Of old Levi
struck fear into their hearts. Charlie
was, however. too occupied ii watching
the old man and the girl at that moment
TO think Of any danger of detection
HIS weI-beloved stood pale. beautiful,
aud yet defiant before the man who
moment before had shaken his fist and
clenched his teeth on hearing Of her de-
mand to see him. The words she had
uttered had caused an instant change in
his manner. His sudden anger had been
succeeded by fear. Whatever she had
said was evidently straight 10 the point,
For a moment he regarded her in 81
lence, then over his gray face came
crafty smile as with mock courtesy he
offered her chair, still remaining stand
ing himself
She leaned her elbow on the arm Of the
chair. and bending toward him, was
speaking again. uttering slow, decisive
words, each Of which seemed to bite into
his very soul His cOuntenance again
changed; from mock humor it became
hard, drawn, almost haggaTd.
Charlie, who knew the old man in every
mood, had never witnessed such an ex-
preston upon his face. Beneath it ALL
however, he detected a look Of unrelent-
ing. almost iendish revenge. He longed
TO rush forward and clasp hts loved one
IN his arms, but Max, seeing his agita-
ton, laid his hand firmly upon his shoul-
der.
Let US watch IN patience, Charlie, :"
he urged. I'VE may learn something in
teresting"
Maud had altered but little since that
afternoon when. in the haze of the red
London sunset, Charlie had last walked
with her in fNevsTn square. She was.
perhaps, a trife pinched in the cheeks,
but the sweet dimples were still there.
and the little wisp of hair still strayed
across her white brow. Her gown, how
ever, seemed shabby and ill-htting Per-
haps she had borrowed Il in order TO come
there in garments by which she would
not be recognized. For young girl to
make a visit at that late hour was, TO
say the least, somewhat unusual
Both men standing in the shadow be-
hind the thick glass longed 10 hear what
the pair were saying. II was tantalizing
10 TX - A4Eett ltAc AA1N+1nlAt tA q SrNtSA-~
indeed, to have it enacted before ones
eyes-and yet be debarred from learning
the truth.
Max examined the door, hoping to open
Il ever so slightly. but to his chagrin
ne found it locked and bolted. Old Levi
had already prepared to retire before they
had made their surreptitlous entrance
there.
That he had at last found Maud again
was 70 both source Of immense gati-
fication. At last the truth of the doc
tors strange disappearance would now
be known. But what connection could
old Statham have with the affair?
Charlie recollected what Sir Charles
Harrison had told him in Belgrade-that
the bomb outrage by which a poor inno-
cent child had lost her life had been
planned by one of his friends.
lie had suspected Max. But in the
light of Maud's secret visit to Statham,
he now held the last-named ia distinct
suspicion Was it part Of the million
aires cunning policy in Servia TO rid the
country Of its greatest statesman?
No. That was impossible. The doctor
and Statham had been friends. When
Petroviteh was in power they had work
ed hand-in-glove, with the result that the
millionaire had lent money to the Servian
government upon very second-class Sc
curity. Unrest IN servia would, Charlie