The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1908-09-04

"That is true ALSO" said Dmitri, stu
with that strange smile on his face.
1T Is a horrible machine" she said,
and shuddered.
Don't you think we are perfectly
justified in taking such precautions to
preserve the secret that is so valuable
to us. Miss Joyce?" he asked, once
more looking at her intently.
but it's murder" said Christabel.
in a voice Of sharp protest. AS she
spoke she remembered how the Sc.
cret had come through murder
Dmitri's only reply was another up.
ward lift of the eyebrows, manner
ism of his.
"You don't think so?" she asked.
ITS a case of killing. no murder
as your English phrase is" he replied,
using the very words he had spoken
to Sir Maxwell Sisterson some weeks
before.
II cannot agree with you," returned
Christabel, gravely.
1T is nothing more than an applica-
ton of the principle of self-preserva-
tion," said he. with a gravity as deep
as her own.
Christabel said nothing for a mo-
ment, and he shut and locked the
door of the tiny safe, having first put
the lever in a certain position-the po-
sition by which the steel door of the
| laboratory was electrified.
Nov let us join the Others" said
Christabel, with decided air of re-
lief, walking toward the door. The
conversation about the beautiful"
machine and its possibilities had given
her rather a turn, and she had not
liked it.
stop moment, Miss Joyce" said
Dmitri, but Christabel was already
standing in the open doorway, and it
made a frame for her in which she
formed a pretty and alluring picture
that must have been good in any
mans eyes, and certainly was good in
his. He had meant to tell her that he
loved her, but as he saw her waving
her hand to the others he knew that
the opportunity had passed. But as
she stood there, dainty and charming,
he said to himself that he was not sor.
~ he had spared her life.
what long time you've been!"
| said Katia, laughing trifle spltefully.
did you see the Chamber of Hor-
rors?" asked Mary.
NO; only the outside of it-just as
| M. Anatovitch promised, that was ALL"
replied Christabel. as she and Dmitri
Joined the other two. do you feel
rested now, Mary?" she asked Miss
Sisterson.
Pm pretty WE'LL" answered Mary.
Il think l can walk back to the house;
it's so much cooler now. Let us
start"
The four of them walked abreast,
Dmitri being between Mary and Chris
label.
by the way" said Mary to Christa.
bel. talking across Dmitri, "did you
speak to M. Anatovitch about your let
ters? No? Nurse is wondering" she
went on, addressing Dmitri. "why she
does not get any letters. She has been
expecting some from home"
Yes put in Christabel; "My broth
err was to write me every week, and
I've only had one letter from him
since we came here. l can't imagine
why it is
HE would be remarkably good
brother to write you so often" ex-
claimed katia. Brothers are not SO
kind as all that Dmitri never writes
to ME at all when he is away. But
perhaps it was that you anticipated re-
ceiving letters from some other wo-
mans brother, Nurse Joyce" suggest
ed Katia, laughing immodestly. "Is
that it?"
Christabel flushed slightly at this
badinage, but she smiled at her tor.
mentor.
"He has forgotten you, apparently"
continued Katia.
1T looks like it," said Christabel,
jestingly. But it is very odd that
don't hear from Philip, my brother. L
have written him several times since
our arrival, and l should at least have
had one or two replies"
rs it possible, do you think" asked
Mary. speaking to Dmitri, "that the
letters have gone astray?"
Ito Be continued.)