Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1908-04-23

understand you, Mr.. Statham.''
well, you are trying to mislead
me-" he answered, knitting his brows
and looking her straight in the face.
And let me gay that when you try
to mislead Sam Statham you have !.
difficult task"
She started at his sudden change
of manner, and again became con-
fused.
Now he said. bending forward to
her from his chair, 'let us under
stand each other at the outset. You
we're the most intimate friend of this
girl Maud who, with her father, sud-
denly disappeared from London. The
facts of their disappearance are al
ready known to me, may as well tell
you that nuch. They vanished and
took their household goods with them.
Perhaps they were afraid of anarch
lists or political enemies, or perhaps
the doctor is wanted by the police.
Who knows? 1t was mystery, and
as such remains, Is not that so?"
She nodded. This knowledge of
his astonished 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 report
ed to him any political move at home
Or abroad which might influence the
markets. The world had often be-,
lieved that Sam Statham was omn;-
present. They knew nothing of his
agents. or of their secret visits.
Nov, Miss Rolfe. let us advance
one step further" the old man said,
still keeping his keen gaze upon hers.
IF you will KINDLY carry your mind
back to the day of their disappear
ance. you will remember that you ac-
companied the doctors daughter to e
concert at Queens hall"
"How do you know that?" she cried,
starting up from her chair
How l know it is immaterial," he
said firmly kindly reseat yourself"
81 will not shede clared boldly.
''You are cross examining me as
though l were a criminal. This is
outrageous"
81 politely request you to sit. down,
Miss Rolfe," he said, never moving
muscle.
Her beautiful face was flushed with
resentment and anger as, standing
erect before him, she faced him in
open defiance
81 see no further point in this inter-
view" was her cool reply. 81 will 60
81 think it would be wiser for you
to remain" he responded in a low,
determined voice; wiser for you to
answer my questions"
II have already answered them"
81 wish to know something further"
he said stirring again in his chair.
and waving his hand with a repeated
request that she would be reseated.
81 have nothing to conceal was
her reply, attempting to smile. "Why
should II"
"Why, indeed he said, 81 may as
we'll tell you that l have reasons
very strong business reasons-for elu-
cidating this mystery concerning Doc
tor Petrovitch. To me it involves a
question of many thousands Of pounds
have considerable interests out in
Servia, as your brother may have
explained to you. | must find the
doctor, and the reason l have asked
you here tonight is to invoke your
aid in assisting me to do so. Can
be more explicit?"
observer would have told by the way
ering smile at the corners Of his
mouth that he was not speaking the
exact truth There was some Interior
motive underlying it ALL
Though she did not detect this, she
was still undecided. Anger was arous-
ed within her by his commanding man
ner. His attitude had changed so sud
denly that she had been taken thor.
oughly aback.
81 am afraid Mr.. Statham. that |
cannot render you any assistance in
discovering the whereabouts of the
Petrovitchs."
But. my dear young LADY," he
cried. 'They had servants. Surely
there is one who could give us some
very valuable information.
Perhaps SO, if he or she could be
J, found" she remarked 'They, nc
doubt, took every precaution agains,
being followed. AS a matter of fact
so great care has the doctor taken
| that his most intimate friend in Lon
don is in ignorance"
And who is he. pray?" asked the
millionaire quickly.
"a gentleman named Barclay-Mr
Max Barclay"
; MAX Barclay! I've heard of him
A friend of your brothers, Ell? Ant
so he was the Doctors friend?"
'They were inseparable, but the doc
tor left without word of farewell"
And also the daughter-except tt
you, Miss Rolfe, he said, looking a
| her meaningly.
ITO me?"
Yes he went on, his keen gaze
again upon her. st is useless to as
, sumo ignorance. You know quite vel
l that the doctors daughter. on tn,
: night of their disappearance, made .
. statement to you-an important state
: ment"
t My brother told you that" sh
cried. HE has told you everything
} He has told me nothing" replied
: the old man coldly 81 merely asl
t whether you deny that she made
5 statement"
l The girl hesitated.
l ''She certainly spoke to me- sh
t admitted at last II was her most in
$ innate friend, and it was only natura
perhaps that she tod me what wa