Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1908-04-16

beautiful woman. daughter of one OF
the most powerful Pashas in Constan-
tinople, who escaped from her moth
er's harem and got away over the
| frontier into Bulgaria, where Statham
| joined her, and they were married in
Paris"
| Rolfe laughed aloud. The idea OF
old Sam being an actor in such
| love romance was distinctly amusing.
They call him Statham Pasha,
suppose. Well, really, it is the very
latest, just as though there may not
| be lights upstairs when the old man
goes to bed
"Of course" said Max. But the
fact that the old man refuses to allow
anybody in the house has given rise
to all these stories. You really ought
to tell him.
what shall l tell him? Is there any
other gossip"
EYES," replied Max, looking the sec
rotary straight in the face in suspicion
that he knew more about the myster-
les of the house than he really did
There's another strange story, that
heard two or three days ago. to the
effect that one night recently person
was seen to go there secretly, being
admitted at once. Then. after the
lapse of an hour or so, old Levi came
forth, signalled four-wheeled cab
which was apparently lettering about
on the chance of fare. Then from
out of the house was carried long,
heavy box, which was placed on the
cab and driven away to an unknown
destination"
"a box!' gasped Rolfe in surprise.
bending quickly across to the speak
er. What do you mean-what do you
suggest"
"Wel. the natural suggestion is
that the body of the midnight visitor
was within that box
Charlie Rolfe did not reply. He sat
staring open mouthed. as though
Max's story had supplied the missing
link in chain of suspicious which for
long time had existed in his mind
as thought he now knew the terrible
and astounding truth.
CHAPTER XIV.
Truth or Untruth.
The two men exchanged glances
each suspicious of the other.
) Max tried to imagine the motive O
his friends visit. while Rolfe, on his
part, was undecided as to the exten
, of the others knowledge. To come
, here and boldly face Max had cos
him good many lualms. At one mo
+ ment he felt certain that Max sus
pected, but at the next he laughed
, his own fears and declared hlmse!
, to be a chicken hearted fool. And s.
days had gone on until, unable t
6 stand it further, he had at last resolV
: ed to call at Dover street.
You're quite stranger, Charlie,
: Max remarked at last Il haven't see
9 you since the doctor disappeared S
s mysteriously."
He watched Rolfe's face as he spok
). yet save a very slight flush upon tn
7 cheeks he was in TO way perturbed.
We'll. I've been away nearly tn
G whole time was the others reply
THE whole affair is most curious.
4 "And haven't you seen Maud since
q He hesitated slightly, and in thu
hesitation Max detected falsehood.
NO" was his reply
What? And you haven't endeavo
II ed to find out her whereabouts;
cried Max, staring at him. IF Mario
e had disappeared / think I should hav
II left no stone unturned in order
III discover the truth
e q have tried to solve the myster
and failed" was his rather lame r
tie Spouse.
" But where are they-where CO
they be? It's most extraordinary tn
Ii the doctor should not send me wo
in confidence of their secret hidin
IT. place. |. was his most intimate friend
)" Well" he said THE fact is tn
n until this moment l believed that "
X were aware of their whereabouts, b
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