Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1908-04-25
cheeks slightly crimsoning at the

cheeks slightly crimsoning at the
/ same time
Without doubt was the million.
aires reply. 81 must see Barclay to-
morrow, and ascertain what are Ad-
ans plans.'
He is persuading Mr.. Barclay to
go to Constantinople. I know that
| because he asked me to use my influ-
ence upon him in that direction"
! oh, so he has approached you, also
has he? Then there is some strong
motive for this journey, without q
doubt! Barclay will be ill-advised If
he accepts the invitation. The bait
held out is a very tempting one; but
when I've seen your gentleman
friend he will not be so credulous."
I'm very surprised at what you told
me. | thought Mr.. Adam quite nice
person-for a foreigner
No doubt he was nice to you, for
he wished to enlist your services to
induce your lover to go out to Turkey.
For what reason?"
How can l tell?" asked the girl
Mr.. Barclay mentioned that the rail-
way concession would mean the COM
mercial development of the Balkan
states, and that it would be one of
the most paying enterprises in Eu-
rope
THAT is admitted on all hands. But
as the concession is not granted, and
never will be granted, cannot see
what object Adam has in inducing
your friend to visit Constantinople
Was he asked to put money into the
SohPDno do l.
Mr.. Adam did not wish him to put
any money until he had thoroughly
satisfied himself regarding the truth of
his statements
Statham was silent
That's distinctly curious" he re-
marked at last. apparently much puz-
zled by her statement "Underlying It
all is some sinister motive, depend
upon it,
"You alarm me, Mr. Statham," the
girl said, apprehensive of some unex-
pected evil Detailing the man she
loved.
ut is as well to be forearmed in
dealing with Jean ADAM was the old
mans response. More than one
good man owes the ruin of his life's
happiness, nay his death, to the craft
and cunning of that man, who, under
dozen different aliases. is known in
a dozen different capitals of the
world"
Then he's an adventurer?"
"Most certainly. Tell Barclay to
come and see me. Or better, will
write to him myself. 1t is we'll that
you've told me this, otherwise" and
he broke off short, without concluding
his sentence.
The pretty clock chimed the half
hour unsteady, reminding Marion of
the unusual hour, and she stirred as If
anxious to leave. Her handkerchief
dropped upon the floor The old man
noticed it, but did not direct her at
tention to it.
Then if you wish it, Mr.. statham, |
will say nothing to Mr. Barclay" she
remarked.
mo. You need say nothing. 1
Will send him message in the morn
ing. But he added. looking straight
into the girls beautiful face, "will you
not reconsider your decision, Miss
Rolfe?"
"My decision! OF what?" she
asked.
Regarding the statement made to
you by Maud Petrovitch. She told you
something. What was 1t? Come, tell
me. Some very great financial inter.
ests are involved in the ex-minister',;
disappearance. Your information may
save me from very heavy losses. Will
you not assist me?"
81 regret that it is impossible"
Have not even tonight been your
friend?' he pointed out. "Have not
warned you against the man who is
Max Barclays secret enemy-aud
yours-the man Jean Adams?"
81 am vrey grateful indeed to you,"
she answered; land If it were in my
power, would tell you what she told
me-"
I'm your power!" he laughed. 'sWhy,
of course it is in your power to speak,
If You wish"
MAUD made confession to me-
she declared land l hold it sacred
"a confession!" he exclaimed, re-
garding her in surprise. Regarding
her father, l suppose?"
No; regarding herself"
"Ah A confession of a wcman's
weakness-eh?'
Its nature is immaterial," she re-
sponded in firm tone. II was her
most intimate friend, and she confided
in me-
"And because it concerns her per-
sonally. you refuse to divulge it?"
II am woman, Mr. Statham, and
will not betray anything that reflects
upon another woman's honor
Women are not usually so loyal to
each other!" he remarked, not without
a touch of sarcasm. You appear to
be unlike all the others have known
Il am no better than anybody else.
suppose" she replied Every wom-
an must surely possess sense of
what is right and just"
Every few Of them do" the old man
snarled. for woman was subject up
on which he always became bitterly
sarcastic. In his Younger days he had
been essentially ladies' man. but
the closed page in his history had
surely been sufficient to sour him
against the other sex
The world, had it but known the
truth, would not have wondered at