The citizen. [volume] (Berea, Ky.) 1899-1958, 1908-02-27
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N Jus Nttasa NiaANots 4
rot told YOU that he trapped Madame
do WARMER with the rest Of us?"
was becoming desperate. The min
utes was flying swiftly. and Locke was
oven more aggressive than when he
had first surprised me. To reason
with him was impossible unless | told
him all. There was no time for that
Force alone could rescue me from my
dilemma II 1t was hopeless to G'sarm
his suspicious. could | rob him OF the
revolver in his hip pocket2 | made
no further attempt TO resist. I stood
passivcly. waiting my chance.
so. Starva has turned traitor"
Like questioned ironically. But II
the Countess Sarahon is so anxious 10
outwit her former confederate--if the
life OF Prince Ferdinand is actually in
peril and she would save him. why did
she not send a man for that desperate
work? Why did she not let Captain
Forbes escape instead OF you? Would
he be so averse to the saving of a
kings life. Even II you believe hei
silly yarn, she has tricked you. You
|
oewitched you"
made no answer 60 his t,,unts. Tn
consciously he had ioosened his hold
stood as one crushed by his vindic
tive Scorn. My attitude confessed
defeat. Locke believed the acted lie
when he had eontemptuously sco1ed
at the truth.
anu,a ,,,nr. wa,r ovrapa M
more lies. You wish 10 save Fcrdl.
nand: you pretend that Is the futile
errand Madame dc WARMER sends you
on. You would penetrate the strong
hold Of n desperate band unarmed--
you who only this morning saw a
young girls life threatened and raissd
no hand. II It was cowardice that
made you hesitate. why should the
coward play the hero so bravely now
Or was It that you are the ally OF IN"
very man whom you pretend YOU are
anxious TO confront empty-handed?'
Il have done ms best 10 move you.
What do you want? | am In your
hands"
Il want the truth"
II have told you the truth. II I He'd
Il might avail me more" said bitter
IT, For the last time entreat YOU
have been proved n coward--tvice.
But this was to be my chance. hoped
10 retrieve myself But fate blocks
the way with a fool who cannot see
when a man Is desperately in ca most
Ferdinand's murder is certain u we
lift no hand 20 save him. Listei: In
my pocket is tho key TO the little door
Just beyond YOU. Take n: let your.
self into the hall; hide there and use
the evidence OF your own eyes"
And let you slip from my haadsl
Not much What is that"
He turned abruptly. The accom-.
piice OF DIR. Starva who had been keep.
Ing guard before the door was running
toward the passageway leading from
the village street. | could hear dts.
tinctly the carriage wheels rumble
over the cobblestones."
For the last time" I besought
There Is not an instant 10 lose"
Still he hosltated, looking cautiously
around the angle Of the wall at the sp
preaching carriage. His curiosity made
him negligent
This was my chance. One an
caught him about the neck; the OTHER
reached for his weapon. Then !
pushed him uolently backward and
covered him. retreating myself toward
the little door. the key in my hand.
Stand back" | whispered fiercely.
Now take you choice. Go TO the vii.
lage: you cant go too quickly. you
stubborn idiot Come back with gend
armes: batter down the door. or else
come with me. You have accused me
OF cowardice more than once. Show
you are a man. Quickly. your choiee'"
heard him chuckling softly TO hun.
self I'm the darkness.
well. I'm damned" he muttered
more than once. Lead on. Macduff.'
AS my key slipped into the lock Is
was at my side.
pushed the little door open.
The hall was empty. but brilliant
with the light OF a hundred candles
No nook or Granny afforded US a safe
hIding-place.
leaped up the staircase with Locke
at my heels. We had reached the gal.
lery as the great door swung open.
Prince Ferdinand entered. Or. Starva
and his ally crowding him close on
either side.
The prince stepped into the hall with
apparent confidence. But as he heard
the door clang behind him he turned
alertly to DR.. Starva.
where is Madame de varnier?" he
demanded in French.
Madame de WARMER Is unavoidably
detained. your Majesty. She has dole
gated me to receive you. Be assured.
your Majesty's welcome shall not be
lacking In warmth. VIII your Majesty
pray be seated? There are urgent
matters of state TO be discussed"
He pushed the prince prtally into
chair, bending over him with hideous
smile that would have done credit to
the devil himself.
Locke and were crouching behind