The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1909-06-09

VINO makes the slightest movement
otherwise will make no more. I'm
derstand?"
Seager nodded He was breathing
sstentoriously. through set teeth. eyes
dilated. unable to comprehend what
had happened. Arendsen nodded
also, against his will. in answer to a
significant crooking Of his question
ers trigger-nnger.
Keep an eye on them for a mo-
ment, OFerral, and you, too, j. j."
said the same speaker, and turned to
where the duchess and Fanchette were
still standing In almost equal amaze
ment.
Your pardon" he said, bowling
courteously, and both recognized him
at the same instant. He was the
same man whom the duchess had met
first at Martins, then on the seashore
at Stormport, and lastly. at the Elysee,
the same TO whom Fanchette had sold
her mistress runabout, whose car she
had Communicated. your pardon"
said he. but we've overheard all that's
passed. We were waiting outside-at
your service. You had nothing moro
TO fear from these fellows, and
| He sprang forward. caught at tho
duchesse or she would have fallen.
Her overtaxed strength had failed her,
and she lay helpless in mis- arms for
a blissful moment ere he carried her
TO the sofa.
Fanchette, scarcely less overcome.
flew to her and for brief space they
mingled their tears, sobbing without
restraint since the most hurtful strain
of the terror they had undergone was
thus lately relieved. And the chief OF
their rescueis stood staring wickedly
at their aggressors until the sobs
ceased. the duchesse looked up woeful-
ly, and met his eyes again, so that
their anger died and there was only
left In them a look of longing, at
which she flushed, so family that he
did not notice 1t.
Tell me what has happened, please,
Mr.. Newman" she begged pteously.
ignoring all else In her stress OF mind.
Il have been held prisoner here for
"a hours, and--I don't understand"
Il must tell you. to start with" said
Quaintante quickly, "and | must ask
you to believe all say without ques-
ton meantime, that my name isn't
Newman. I'm stephen Quaintance.
Miles Quaintance's nephew"
You're damned liar cried Seager
from the background. furiously, on the
impulse of the moment I'm Stephen
Quaintance, not you. And can prove
what | say Don't believe him, Dag
mar He must be mad"
Quaintance wheeled toward him
with a look which BODIED him i'll.
"You ring or" he ordered impera-
lively. Break his head with the butt
If your gun. O'Ferral, II he opens his
mouth again till he's told to-
O'Ferral made as If to hey him, and
Seager subsidized, glaring. his mind In
ferment
1T changed my name because OF my
uncle's will and so that you shouldn't
have TO marry me. You are Dagmar
Lorraine. aren't your"
She nodded.
and Duchesse des Reeves" she said
drearily. oppressed anew by the knowl-
edge that neither man nor woman may
safely interfere with the dictates OF
fate. II married the Due des Reeves as
soon as | heard of Mr.. Quaintance's
death, TO escape
TO escape me- Quaintance supple
mented, as she paused. at a loss to ex-
plain herself without hurting his feel
ings. He lowered mis- voice.
II made tho mistake OF my life when
I discarded my own identity, Dagmar.
But | did IL for your sake. that you
might have my uncle's money and your
own freedom
Her eyes fell again before his and
the story they told her Her face was
suffuscd now But she would be hon
est with him at all costs 81. too. made
a great mistake. she said. very grave
ly In low whisper. and Fanchette. an
arm about her, fondled her trembling
hand
1--WE have both paid very dearly for
our independence" commented Quaint.
ance I'm grievous voice. "but-you
are safe now at any rate"
They tell me my husband is dead"
she said starting up. suddenly recalled
to the actualities Of her position.
They say he's dead-here, down.
stairs"
ITO BE continued.)
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