The Washington herald., 1908-03-22

they had sat together required to him al
that moment with d QUEER significance
The doctor certainly did not like RoIfe
For what reason2 he wondered VIII,
had he taken such sudden dislike Il
him?
Hitherto they had been quite friendly
ever since the well-remembered meeting
at the Villa des Fleurs, in Aix-les-Bains
and the doctor had never. 70 his knowl-
edge, objected 70 Maud's association with
the smart young fellow whose keen busi-
ness instincts had commended him tc
such man as old Sam Statham The
doctor held. no doubt. either secret knowI-
edge of something detrimental to Rolfe
or else entertained one of those sudden
and unaccountable prejndices which some
men form. and which they arc unable to
put behind them.
The main point We have first q de-
eide. Charlie he said at last, standing
at the window and gazing thoughtfully
down into the narrow London street. lis
whether or net there has been foul play. .
Rolfe made no reply, a circumstance
which caused him to turn and look
straight iato his friends face. He saw a
change there.
His countenance was blanched. but
whether by fear OF the loss Of the woman
ne loved or by guilty knowledge May
knew not.
Marion can tell us" be answered at
last But she refuses"
You. her brother. can surely obtain
the truth from her?'
Not when you. her lover. fail" Charlie
responded, bis brows knit deeply.
But moment ago you said you had a
clewy'
"I think have one It is only a sur
mise
And in what direction does it trend?'
Toward foul play" he said. hoarsely.
.'Political?"
1T may be-
And with bcta victims of the plot2"
L cannot tell. At present I'm making
all the secret inquiries possible-far afeld
in continental city. II takes time. care,
and patience. AS soon as 1 obtain any,
thing tangible l viii tell you. But first
Of ali Max" he added. Il wish to have
your assurance that you no longer sus-
pect me. I am not your enemy-why
should you be miner
Il am not. my dear fellow" declared
Barclay. How can / be the enemy Of
Marion's brother? was only suspicious.
You would have been the same In similar
circumstances, I'm sure"
Probably" laughed Charlie Yet
what you've told me about the endeavor
TO implicate myself in the aftair is GER
tainly extraordinary. don't see any
motive.
Except that you were known by the
eonsprators, whoever they are. to be
Maud's lover
IF so. then they intend. most prob
ably, 10 bring some false charge against
me. And-and-"
And what?'' asked Max. in surprise.
why. don't you see?" he said, hoarse-
ly, staring straight into his friends face
with a Mortified expression as Il terrible
truth arose within him. Don't you see
that you yourself. Max. would become the
principal witness against me-
Max stood wondering az the others
sudden anticipation Of disaster What
could he dread If this denial OF his was
the actual truth?
Again he grew suspicious.
How can ] be witness against you II
you are innocent of any connection with
the AFFAIR." he queried-
Because the doctors enemies have
done this in order TO shield themselves"
But II the doctor IS really still alive.
what have you to fear7''
rs he alive? That is the point"
Marion gives me 10 understand that
both he and Maud are safe Max re-
sponded quickly
The other shook his head obviously.
saying. IF she has told you that then
given me 10 understand"
What? She has expressed a suspicion
OF foul play?"
''Yes-more than a suspicion
''Well-this is certainly strange" Max
declared. Marion has all along been try
ing TO allay my fears"
Because she feared 10 upset you. per-
haps. With me IL is different. She does
not mind my feelings
Tn sure she does, Charlie She's de-
voted 70 you. And she ought TO be. Few
brothers would do what you have done
That's quite outside the question" he
said, quickly pacing Up and down the
room. "She told me distinctly the other
day that her fears were Of the worst"
"Ah, II yoG could only induce her to tell
US what Maud confessed 10 her 1t was a
cOnfession-a serious and tragic one be-
iieve."
Yes. 1t was. no doubt: and If she
would only speak we could. I believe.
quickly get at the truth, Rolfe said. TO
me it seems incredible that the doctor.
your most intimate friend, should not
have found some secret manner by which
to communicate with you and assure you.
OF his safety"
There was a pause. Suddenly Max
turned to the speaker and exclaimed:
Tell me, Charlie. Be perfectly frank
with me. Have you, do you think. at any
time recently given some cause for Of
fense to the doctor?"
why do you ask that?" inquired the
other in quick surprise.
Il have reasons for asking I'll tell you
after you've answered my question"