The Morning examiner. [volume] (Ogden, Utah) 1904-1910, 1909-01-03
CHAPTER xIII.-contInued.

C7SB Eh AlIl.-OOHliHuco.
To all purposes. was Gagged pris-
oner. Tie risk | had run to spy on
them would be to no purpose unless
could surprise them at their nights
work.
| ragged at my impotence Then
thought OF the window. Perhaps there
was balcony.
There WAS no blind at the window,
but wooden shutters that fastened
with a catch. pushed open the
French windows, Yes. there was the
balcony, and TO my JOY l saw that II
extended the length of the suite.
And now a new difficulty stared me
In the face. AT any moment they
might enter the bedroom, and when ]
had gained the balcony. outside the
salon, would shutters prevent my see
ing within?
AS TO the first risk ! must take It,
The door had jammcd before; 1t
would Jam again. The noise made in
opening it would give me some warn
ing.
gained the balcony; there were
shutters, but / could see readily
through the interstices
1t was the apartment We had first
entered: and 1t bore unmistakable
signs of having been minutely ran
sacked. A large empire desk had been
pr1ed open. Papers had been abstract
eG from tho drawers and pigeonholes,
they lay about In confusion. In more
than one place the carpet had been
torn up at the edges.
AS 1 peered cautiously within. DR.
Starva was lowering the Venetian
blind of another window Evidently
they were searching the room with
the knowledge that an article of value
was hidden there.
heard Madame de Varnier cry out
excitedly. A packet concealed be-
tween the Stats of q Venetian blind. |
had fallen to the floor.
Without a doubt 1t was for this
packet of papers that they had been
searching. Madame de Varnier tore
the envelope in feverish haste. She |
scanned the contents Of the papers |
with intense eagerness. Dr. Starva |
looking over her shoulder. AS they |
read, their faces expressed dsap-
pointment and chagrin. DR.. Starva
questioned Madame de WARMER repeat
edly. She put aside his fierce inquiries
with impatience.
And now / made a second discovery.
] thought | understood the meaning
OF this extraordinary plot in coming
TO the hotel at Vitznau had guessed
long since that | bore sufficiently
striking resemblance to Sir Mortimer
Brett to deceive at least the first cas-
ual glance. Otherwise, why the amaze
ment OF the Bretts and Madame de
Varnier in first seeing nc? How else
could l explain the events of the
night? They had drugged me. or at.
tempted TO do SO. that / might be
oblivious to inconvenient inquiries or
greetings. The hat and cloak of Sir
Mortimer. which DR.. Starva had pro-
cured In some manner. were unusual
enough in character to be readily rec
ognized, by the servants of the hotel.
Sir Mortimer was known to be I'll. and
my condition would arouse no sus.
picion.
All the facts as I swiftly reviewed
them fitted neatly. The inference was
unmistakable:
This was the suite of Sir Mortimer
Brett They had come for the packet
OF papers they were now reading. The
presence OF Sir Mortimer Brett with
them had gained them ready admis.
sion to his rooms
And poy that they had found tho
papers?
Had ! soSved my purpose? Was the
invitati0e to Madame de Varnier's
chateau a ruse cleverly planned sim,
ply to bring me to this hotel as Sir
In that case / must be alert that
they did not slip through my hands.
leaving me here in Sir Mortimer's
rooms to explain my predicament on s
the morrow as best might
UT was this the prelude to other ad- |
ventures even more exciting? Was
the game only just begun?
Sull ! watched them intentlv. while /
these perplexing questions demanded
an answer. They had finished the ma.
pers now DR.. Starva was seated in {
sullen gloom; Madame de WARMER I
glided to and fro In angry indecislon |
loud knock on the door opening S
into the hall startled me almost as
much as themselves. Madame de Var. 7
nier thrust the papers into the bosom /
Of her dress; then. while DR. Starva AT /
sign from her answered the sum. I
mons. she hastily restored the room to :
outward signs OF order. |
What is it? Who is there?" Starva I
demanded In an agitated voice. r
1t Is Henri, the concierge" repIiod q
the intruder. :
Tomorrow. tomorrow"
But there is an English gentleman a
who says that he must see his Excel.
lenoy"
1t would be difficult to say whether /
this startling request alarmed them /
more than 1t did myself. listened r
breathless, DR.. Starya's presence Of i
mind seemed TO have quite deserted '
him. He drew a revolver from his /
pocket, Madame de Varnier made a /
sign expressive of his /
folly. He thrust 1t into his coat again 7
renewed his eXpoStulatIons to tha oon =