The Washington herald., 1908-03-21
CHAPTER XIV.
Truth or Untruth.


qualms- At one moment he felt certain
that Max suspected. but at the next he
laughed at his own fears. and declared
himself to be a chicken-hearted fool
And so days had gone on until. unable
TO stand it further, he had at last re-
solved 10 call at Dover street
You're quite n stranger, Charlie. +"
Max remarked at last Il haven't seen
you since the doctor disappeared so mys-
teriously''
He watched Rolfe's face as ne spoke,
yet save a very slight flush upon the
cheeks he was in no way perturbed.
Well. I've been away nearly the whole
time" was the others reply. THE whole
affair is most curious"
And haven't you seen Maud since?"
He hesitated slightly, and in that hesi-
tation Max detected falsehood.
No" was his reply.
What? And haven't you endeavored
to find out her whereabouts?" cried Max.
staring az him. IF Marion had disap-
peared, I think I should have left no
stone unturned in order to discover the
truth.
Il have tried 10 solve the mystery. and
failed. was his rather lame response.
But where are they-where can they
be? It's most extraordinary that the doc
tor should not send me word in conf
dence of their secret hiding place. 1
was his most intimate friend"
We'll" he said. The fact is that
until this moment believed you were
we'll aware of their whereabouts. but
could not. IN face OF your friendship,
betray them
Max looked him str4ight in the face.
Was he lying?
Such a statement was, indeed. inge-
nious, 10 say the least. Yet how. recol-
lecting that he had left the empty house
In secret, could he believe that Max knew
the truth and was concealing il? Was ii
really possible that he was in ignorance ?
Barclay thought. Had he gone to Crom-
well road expecting TO find the doctor
at home, just as he had done? II he
had, then why had he erept out Of the
place and made his escape so hurriedIy.
Again, he recOllected the result of the
search in company with the man from
Harmer's. and the finding OF the open
safe. Somebody had been there after
his visit; somebody who had robbed the
safe. That person must have been aware
or the departure of the doctor. Who
was 1t If not the man seated there be-
fore him?"
Well. ROlfe" Max remarked at last.
You're quite mistaken I haven't the
slightest notion where they are. I've
done my best 10 try and discover some
clew to the direction Of their flight but
all in vain. The more l have probed
the affair. the more extraordinary and
more mystifying has it become"
WHAT have you discovered?" asked
Charlie quickly.
Several strange things. First, I have
found that the furniture was removed
in vans painted with the name OF Har-
mer's stores but they were not Har-
mer's vans. The household goods were
spirited away that night, nobody knows
whittier"
And with them the doctor and Maud?"
Exactly But-weli. tell me the truth.
Charlie. Have you had no message OF
whatever sort from Maud?"
None" he replied, his face fun OF pale
anxiety.
But, my dear fellow, she loved YOU.
did she not? 1t was impossible for her
10 conceal Il"
Yes, know. That's why I can't make
It out at all. I sometimes think that"
We'll. that there's been foul plav.
Max" he said hoarsely "You know
what the people OF those Balkan coun-
tries aTe-so many political cOnspirators
I'm every walk OF life. And the doctor
was such prominent politician in Ser
via"
Was he telling an untruth? II so. he
was A marvellous actor.
Then you declare that you have re-
ceived no word from either Maud or the
doctor"
I have heard nothing from them"
But, Charlie" he said slowly. "has IT
not struck you that Marion knows some
thing-that If she liked she could furnish
us with clew to the solution of the
mysterious AFFAIR.""
Yes, he said HIS face Frightening at
once. How curious, That thought
struck me also. She knows something
evidently. but refuses to say word
Because she is Maud's most intimate
friend"
yet she ought. merely to set nv mind
Maud"
What has she told you?"
She's merely urged me to be patient.
That's all very well. because I feel sure
that If Maud were allowed to do so she
NcuiO write 70 me-
Her father may prevent her. He does
not write TO me. remember" said Max.
i can't understand Marion; she is so
very mysterious over IL all Each time
I've seen her I've tried to get the truth
from her. but ell in vain Rolfe declar-
ed. My own idea is that on the night
in question. when they went together TO
Queens Hall. Maud told Marion sone-
thing-something that is a secret"
Max pondered His friends explana-
ton Tailed exactly with his own the
oriesi but the point still remained wheth-
er or not there had been foul play.
But why doesn't the doctor send me
word OF his own safety?'' asked Barclay.
Il was with him only few hours he
fore, smoking and chatting. He surely
knew then OF his impending flight. II
had all been most ingenIousIy and clev-
erly arranged
No doubt. When knew OF It I was
absolutely staggered" Rolfe said.
It was curious. thought his friend. that
he did not admit visiting the house after
the furniture had been removed.
I thought you left at nine that night
20 go TO Belgrade. Marion told me Won
had gone" Max remarked.
Yes. I had intended 10 20. but 7 m
fortunately missed my train. The next
day the old gentleman sent somebody
else. ss he wanted me at home 10 look
after affairs up in Glasgow"
And how did you first know OF
Maud's disappearance?" asked Max
thinking to upset his calm demeanor.
81 called at the house" he repIled
vouchsafng no further fact.
And after that@' Max inquired. reeoI-
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