The citizen. [volume] (Berea, Ky.) 1899-1958, 1908-02-13
that your FxoS,rncy ,as ..osrvsa NJ

i
poses,
Then possibly madam can eulishten
You as TO its whereabouts"
II. your Excellepcy? Oh. ao'" She
swept me a mockiHg courtesy. Il s.a
not so deeply in your Excellency's
counsel"
MY patience. Sir Mortimer" cried
! Forbes, breaking into direct speech.
has its limits. | see you al Luz erne
only with the greatest difficulty. I
warn you of the grave purpor. Of q
dispatch which | am unable to deliver
10 you because OF your condition. The
next morning. when would zee you.
you have disappeared again. I trace
you here with difficulty. When for the
third time | attempt TO deliver this
dispatch. / am held captive; ne dis.
patch is ftsrcibly taken from me. When
I ask YOU II you have received Il. you
give me an Indifferent answer. dare
not believe that you arc SO far lost "a
your sense of duty that yor counte
nance these violent acts OF sSndit
But I must insist"
He paused abruptly. ! thought n
because he realized that his anger had
carried him too far. But when
looked where he looked. I saw Helena
Brett.
Miss BRETT" he exclaimed In
panied surprise. Il am sorry to sss
you here"
And l am infinitely relieved. though
bewildered to find YOU, Captain
Forbes" She extended him her hand.
smiling wanly.
but you will help me to make your
brother realize the danger OF further
Misunderstanding. he said gently. his
anger at my indifference vanishing at
sight of her pale and haggard counte-
nance.
MY brother. Captain Forbes. 10
dead. He lies In that room" she an.
swered firmly. though her lips trem-
bled
She had made her decision. She.
too. was determined at all hazards not
to act a lie.
As for Captain Forbes. he was dumb
with astonishment. His eyes widened
with dismay and concern. But though
he did not speak his startled glance
dwelt on me.
Mr. Haddon Is my loyal friend"
said Helena, interpreting his look. A.
the same time she treasured me with
quiet smile that more than her words
expressed her trust.
A slow flush OF anger mounted 70
the temples of the kings messenger.
lie lowered over noe menacngly.
'You have dared tamper with his
Majestys business: you have triclScd
one of his servants. By Heaven, yor
will rue II dearly"
Captain Forbes" Helena laid her
hand on his sleeve In her distrcss.
Madam" He turned on her In
dignantly. This man has deliberate
~ passed himself on as your brother
lie tricked me INTO giving him lUpor
tant papers OF state. You knoF that
and you defend him? You dass call
him friend?"
Il did not know that" she replied
firmly. "But dare call him friend
Captain Forbes. You do not under
stand"
Understand" he stormed. before .
could make any reply myself. 4 un'
derstand this only too well. he IN ir
league with a notorious woman. anc
the still more Infamous Or. Starva.
two Bulgarian Adventures OF the most
dangerous type. think that Is
enough. That he has obtained under
false pretenses my dispatches conviets
him of high treason. He will not leave
my sight until he is placed under
arrest"
Il am an American" J said quietly
"You may find It more difficult TO Do
that than you imagine"
My mild expostulation naddenee
him only the more.
IAN American" lie advanced "a
me ds II 20 lay hands on me. DO yor
hatter yourself that your nationality
leaves you free 30 play the spy ane
traitor with impunity? Give me those
papers"
He came a step nearer Instructive
ly placed my hands at my breast
pocket as II to protect the precious pa
pers. But again Helena. distressed Al
his violence. restrained him.
Captain Forbes" she pleaded. pray
restrain your anger. II is natural that
you should feel the deepest suspicion
against MIR. Haddon. But II you VIII
be patient, | am sure lie viii mako AZ
clear TO you"
Miss Brett" he said sternly. IA
Is a mans work. II is hardly becom
ing In you to defend one who has ira
11ced your brothers honor. How dare
you claim an impostor like his az
friend? lie must be indeed clsves
villain to have 81 deceived you"
"Mr. Haddon has done enough She
answered proudly. tic justify my faith
In him. And let me tell you. Captain
Forbes. that believe in his word sc
implicitly that | have given him my
word that until midnight tonight I.
shall neither question his motives mol
interfere with any action OF his. MOI
shall permit another TO act on my be
half"
-.