The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1908-01-11
.Prince rerdinaud insisted shat she

l
And she left no message for met"
demanded. gloomily.
NO." replied Helena, looking at me
in wonder. why do you ask"
| I did not tell her of Madame de-
WARMERS promise. / knew now that
1t had been given me quite recklessly
to spur me to action. was mad to
expect mercy and gratitude from such
a woman. She was too determined
ON her revenge. / remembered bit
teriy how she had told me In the tow
er that she sacrificed friends and enc
mics il they proved obstacles 10 her
plans.
II had hoped" answered, vaguely,
now that Ferdinand was saved. that
she might In some way be able to
show US that your brothers dishonor
II not 30 great as 1t appears"
| But could she explain away his
writing?" asked Helena mournfully.
| mo; even II she feels remorse for her
| cruelty in torturing me. 1t il too
late. have eaten Of the tree Of knowl-
edge, Mr.. Haddon. and it Is very BIT
ter. Heaven has reversed my fate and
yours. 1t IL ! who now have lost my
self-respect, while you have gained"
NO." l cried, bitterly, Il have fall
ed utterly in my task. ! dared hope
for too much. have dared too
greatly in dreaming that should find
happiness in this Castle Of Lies"
But" she whispered. Il. too, have
dared. Ernest. and shall not for.
get"
"Helena!" crushed her hands in
mine. Even now I refuse to despair.
/ will find this woman though search
the earth for her. She shall tell me
everything, and perhaps even now"
mot even your love can bring about
the impossible"
| But II 1t could II by . miracle
your brothers honor were shown to
be stainless?"
"Ah. IL you could work miracles
yes" she faltered. =
The door was flung open brusque-
ly. Locke stood at the threshold, his
keen glance bent cynically on me.
$50 You are quite yourself again."
He concealed his embarrassment BY
q gruff demeanor. $50 much the bet
ter; for you must be on before the
dawn. my friend"
| And whereof" demanded aston
ished and not q little piqued at his
cool assurance.
EN- route for America, If you are
wise.'
You are settling my destiny in q
rather highhanded manner" cried.
angrily. sAnd will you tell me why
you dispose Of me so, summarily?"
why" replied he, with q quiet
laugh. Il have promoted you"
He became suddenly serious, slane-
ing uneasily ut Helena
Miss Bret, Capt. Forbes and my.
self viii accompany you to your ho-
tel presently. Will you wait here
while say q few words to Mr.. Had
don't"
But it is not possible that you still
mistrust him after tonight7" she de-
manded with indignation.
mo. no." he assured her. ri would
spare you from embarrassment; that
II ALL"
Come, then" / said. shortly.
When we had reached the gallery
I saw to my establishment that tho
hall below was empty. listened and
there was complete silence.
What have Forbes and yourself
done with your prisonersr demand.
cd. In my perplexity forgot to ask
what Locke had meant In saying nip
Epantly that he had promoted me-
They are all gone but two" Locke
answered cody. He lighted cigar
cite. and leaning ON the gallery rail
stared down into the hall. "Starva
and Bratinau's bodies are in the din
ing-rooms, but their souls have been
swiftly ferried across the Styx by old
Charon. Nothing reminds M of our
fight except the dark stain on the
staircase carpet yondeR. 1t was .
good scrap while 1t lasted. Your shot
winged Starva, as you probably know.
1 settled Bratinau. Forbes peppered
away in the dark, and had fair luck.
The man called Go on or Geeup. or
something like that, got q shattered
ankle, and the Servian q rather nasty
wound in the thigh. As for>the rest
Of the gentry, three Of them rallied
to your slogan and joined me at the
staircase; the other two were easily
settled with. Yes, 1t was a good
fght, but much<too short-especially
for you, old chap" He shook nia
head despondently.
But your prisoners?" ] demanded
again, irritated by his superfuoua
comments.
1T was Prince Ferdinand who in.
sisted on their release"
Their released" / interrupted, fu'
riously. What incredible folly!"
you remember that Starva and