Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-10-03
CHAPTER VIII-Continued.

CHAPTER VIII-Continued.
EVELYN took the telegram from his
paIsied fingers. and this is what she
read:
with deepest regret | have to inform
You that the Earl of Fairholme and his
two sons were killed in the collision at
Beckminster Junction last evening. Their
private saloon was being shunted when
the down express crashed into it. Let
tiers found on his lordshp's body gave
me your address. Every one here joins
in profound sympathy. Please wire in
structions. James Thwaite.''
Scarce knowing what she said. and still
clinging desperately to the stricken man
at her side. Evelyn whispered:
Are they your relatives"
And the answer came brOkenly.
Don't you know? That's Ferdy and
my nephews! And two such boys!
Straight an tall an handsome Good
Lord Was that the only way?"
Then she realized the horror of it. The
crushed society butterfly. who was like
to fall to the ground but for her support.
was now Earl of Fairholme. Calling
Brown to her aid. they led him inside the
his masters strict injunctiOns. knocked
at the library door and told Baumgartner
what had happened.
Won Rippenbach heard. He was cal
Englishmen was of very slight considera-
ton.
THE very thing.' he murmured. 'Now
YOU have your excuse. You can empty the
place i'm twentyfour hours
Rosamund Laing, whose white brows
wore unseemly burrows. was writing and
thinking in her own room when a maid
brought her the news. Before her on the
table was Evelyns letter. and the sharp
eyed Scotch lassie saw that the lady
nearly upset the inkstand in her haste to
cover something with the blOtting pad.
Rosamund was shocked, of course. Find
ing that Thring was leaving for the south
almost Immediately, she then and there
wrote sweetly sympathetic note and
had it taken to him.
BY the way she said. before the maid
went out, ''have you seen Mr. Figuero
recently? / mean the dark-Skinned man
who came here Yesterday
Yes, he had just left the library with
the master and another gentleman. Rosa
mund rose at once. If she We're not
greatly mistaken. Evelyn's harmless-loOk-
ing postscript had given her a clue to the
mystery of Figueros presence in Baum
gartner's house. She knew her West
Africa, and the bad repute of Oku was
one of her clearest memories. Yet she
turned back at the door, took Evelyn's
letter from her pocket. copied a portion
of it. and locked the original in her jewel
case.
The luncheon gong sounded as she de-
pOned the interview she promised herself
with the Portuguese. And. for the sue
cess of her deep-laid schemes. it was as
We'll. Sometimes there comes to the aid
OF evildoers a fiend who contrives oppor-
tunities where human forethought would
fail RosamundS embarked on a we'll nigh
desperate enterprise suddenly found the
way smoothed by Baumgartner's wholly
unexpected announcement that business
consdera tons compelled him to leave
IOchmerig forthwith.
My wife and | would have tried to ar
range matters satisfactorily for our
guests lie said. but the gloom cast on
our pleasant party by the unhappy It'd
ings received this morning by one of our
number renders it almost impossible for
any OF us to enjoy the remainder of a
most memorable and delightful sojourn
In Scotland
He delivered himself of other plattudes,
but Mrs. Baumgartner's detected air and
Beryfs sulky silence showed plainly
enough that the millionaires fiat was un-
alterable. Polite murmurs of agreement
yelled the chagrin of people who had
fortnight or more thrown on their hands
without any prior arrangements The
meal was Il solemn function. Everybody
was glad when it ended.
Rosamund met Figuero in the hall.
Il am going to the village she said.
"Will you walk there with me?''
lie caught the yelled meaning of the
glance and agreed instantly. When they
were ciedr VI ing house shc CohiieHceo
the attack.
Why are you and Count Won Rippen-
bach and three men of Oku in Engand?'
she asked.
She did not look at Figuero. There was
no need. He waited a few seconds too
long before he laughed.
You make joke he said.
DO L? 1t will be no joke for you
when Capt. Warden informs the govern
ment. IL he has not done that already"
Why you say dem ting?' he growled,
and she was fully aware of the menace
in his voice.
You told me what you were plea sed
TO consider a secret last night. Very well.
| am willing TO trade. Capt. Warden
knows what you are doing. He probably
guesses every item of the business you
and tie count were discussing long and
earnestly with Mr.. Baumgartner in the Ii
brary before lunch. On. please don't in
terrupt Figuero. driven beyond the
bounds of self-control. was using words
better left to the Portuguese tongue In
which they We're uttered-'I am not con-
cerned with your plots. They never come
to anything, you know. If either Count
Won Rippenbach of Mr.. Baumgartner had
your history at their fingers ends as |
have they would drop you like "a hot
cinder. Yet l am ready to bargain.
Help me. ana | will keep my information
TO myself.
What you want. den?'
She glanced at him. and was surprised
to see that his face was livid almost
green with rage and perplexity. 1t must
be grave matter-this tumble OF hints
In ENelyns letter.
Can you read Englisho" she asked
after q pause.
yes. ieetie piece-better as l can make
paIaver.
Read that then
She handed him the copy of that part