The Washington herald., 1908-04-12
CHAPTER xLvIII.
Nat Counting the Cost.

door
She stamped her little foot angrily IN
command TO be allowed TO pass.
He saw her determination and hesltated
Then he seemed to commence TO argue
TO place before her the probable result Of
her action in casting aside the money
but she would hear nothing. Her MIND
seemed fully made Up. She had spoken
her last word. and wished to leave him.
lie saw In her decision an attitude an
tagonistie to himself He was in deadiy
peril Though his wealth could command
all that was good and all that was bad
though 1t placed him above his fellow
men. and rendered him immune IRON
much, yet it could not ensnsre her good
will.
Both Max and Charlie realized plainly
that Maud was in possession Of some
great secret, and that she had refused a
bribe OF silence This man, who had be-
heved that his money could purchase any
thing, had discovered. TO his dismay. that
II could net seal her lips He saw him
self facing an imminent peril. and was
undecided how to act
He argued. But she would not listen.
lie appealed. But she only smiled and
shook her head.
Her mind was made up. She had de-
cided to refuse the money. He picked II
from the floor and handed it to her again.
but she would not take il in her hand
Then he crossed 10 his writing table.
took ont hts check book. and scribbled &
check-one for a large amount in ali
probability Tearing it from its counter
foil, he gave il 10 her.
But, with an expression of defiance.
she tore it into four and cast il upon the
floor with gesture OF disgust And in
triumph. before he could prevent her, she
opened the door and disappeared from the
room.
I'VE must follow herr whispered
Charlie. Eagerly.
But. my dear fellow, we can't We're
locked in!'
Rolfe, realizing the truth that they were
prevented from Overtaking his well be-
loved for whom they had been so long
in active search, and that she must again
slip from them into oblivion. gave vent
10 fOrcible expression OF despair.
Let's remain here, =" urged Max. we
may learn something else"
The old man Will so to bed. was
Charles response.
And We will follow and explore above.
'How?i asked ROlfe.
That remains 20 be seen We must.
IN this case, act discreety. ana trust to
luck"
But Maud? I must see her"
That's impossible at present You
have seen her-that's enough for tonight.
Tomorrow we may discover something
further-or even tonight"
Both men, scarce daring TO breathe,
were watching Old Sam.
After the girl had gone. he placed his
hand upon his heart, and. with face white
and haggard, he sank into his writing
char. lie had collapsed as though ne
had received a sudden blow.
Levi entered hurriedly a few moments
later, and, finding his master leaning for
ward upon his table muttering to him
sell, tried TO rouse him.
glance at his face showed that he
had collapsed Levi therefore rushed
across tie room, poured out some brandy
from the tantalus and compelled the old
man 10 swallow It. This. after a few
moments, revived him. The faithful serv-
ant, however, stood by IN wonderment
He seemed puzzled as to what had oc-
CURED.
But the fragments Of the torn check
scattered upon the carpet showed defiance
On the part of the visitor whom he had
just shown out into the night.
Levi stopped as far as his rheumatism
would allow. and slowly, very slowly,
gathered up the torn pieces Of paper and
placed them in the basket, his eyes the
whole time upon his master
Strengthening himself again, he spoke,
making inquiry as 10 what had occurred.
But his master, with wave Of his hand
commanded his silence. Then, sinking
back in his chair, he remained, staring
straight before him like a man in
dream. He seemed peering into the fu-
fure-and he saw only exposure and ruin
Hands and teeth were clenched. for he
realized that he had taken a false step
He had misjudged his own power and in
fiuence. He had believed that a good and
truthful woman could be purchased. as
he might purchase any other thing or
chattel
She had cast his gold IN his face She
had insulted him. for she had spoken a
truth which he could not deny Indeed,
that slim, pale-faced girl, scarce more
than child, held over him power su-
preme-power for life, or for death
The scene within that room was
strange one.
Old Levi, standing statuesque at his
masters side, uttered some words. But
the millionaire was silent. He only raised
his gray head and sat staring at the
great painting oppOsite-staring Ike a
man peering into the grim unknown.
The door that divided the watchers from
the watched prevented the words from
being overheard. The thickness of its
glass prevented the truth being known TO
the two men standing breathless behind
It. Had II been ordinary glass they would
no doubt have overheard the conversation
between the old man and his fair visitor
The anger Of both men had been aroused
by Stathams attitude toward the girl
Even Charlie, faithful and devoted as he
had been TO the millionaire, had now be-
come fiercely antagonistic, for he had
seen by the old mans countenance that
some terrible revenge was intended upon
the girl he loved so dearly
Levi bent and placed his hand tenderIv
upon his masters shoulder
But Statham shook him of. and.
strengthening himself, staggered to his feet
and paced the room in a frenzy of de-
spair.
Charlie recolleeted his agitation after
the unexpected discovery Of Jean Adam
lounsing outside the park ratings. This
repetition OF his apprehension showed him
20 be in terror of exposure ana denuncia-
ton.
Maud so slim, sweet-faced. and inno-
cent had defied him. She held him.
the man whose power in every European
capital was recognized and feared. in the
hollow of her hand.
Why? Aye, 20 that question there was
no answer. They had witnessed the scene.
but they had caught no sound of one
single word
A. last Levi succeeded in calming his
master He mixed him another brandy
and soda end handed It to him. The old
man seized It with an unsteady hand and
tossed il on at a single gulp.
Then he walked slowly from the room.
followed by Levi