The Morning examiner. [volume] (Ogden, Utah) 1904-1910, 1909-01-24
cHApTER xIX.-contInued.

CHAPTER xIx.-ContInued.
And when she had summoned assist
ance? When the castle was stormed
as II were, by gendarmes? My owr
peril would be extreme.
It was hopeless to prevent the In
evitable. The rescue of Captain
Forbes would be accomplished; my
completely In the intrIgues of DIR
Starva and Madame dc Varnier would
be taken for granted Expostulauons
would he useless. My very presence
In the chateau would be face evidence
OF my guilt
And so l had played my desperate
game to no purpose.
To save myself-that was my ono
thought Two courses lay before me
Could I make my way to Captain
Forbes? Could I effect his release be
fore Helena returned with help? II
that were possible. and IL l could
hastily make my position clear to the
kings messenger all might yet be
we'll. At least so far as the establish
ment OF my innocence was concerned
Or I might overtake Helena Brett
To her ! might mako my confession
And If she were persuaded. not only
that I YVES acting in her interests. but
that my plan to clear up Sir Morti
mer's disappearance promised success
/ might even now be successful
It was my fear that she would scorn
fully refuse both to believe my story
and to accept my aid that made me
hesitate as to this course
1t was DR.. Starva who decided for
me-
He had appeared on the terrace be
low, and he was following Helena
Brett.
l had read Captain Forbes's message
as we'll as Helena. Why, then, could
there not have been a third person
interested in the strange antics OF the
mirror? And II this surmise were
true? II DR.. Starva or Madame de
Varnier had read the message? They
had not hesitated to use desperate eX.
pedients TO gain their purpose. Would
DIR. Starva hesitate to use means as
desperate to prevent Helena from
Bummoning helpT
l asked myself this startling ques.
tion as took the stairs two at time
10 the great hall. The main entrance
was locked, For moment | thought
that was prisoner In the chateau as
we'll as Captain Forbes Even row
am not certain that such was not the
intention of Madame de Varnier. But
DR.. Starva had gained the terrace by
a small door close by the spiral stair
case. In his haste he had forgotten to
lock this door,
Desperate as was my own haste
took the precaution of locking the side
door after me and placing the key In
my pocket. My reasons for this were
vague enough. 1t was an instinct that
prompted me to take the precaution
rather than deliberate reflection But
perhaps ! might be able to regain the
chateau in due time by this side en-
trance. and none be the wiser For
as far as / knew I had effected my
exit unobserved.
In the meanwhile I ran swiftly after
Helena and Dr. Starya. / had lost
eight OF both. | soon came to an end
OF the promenade. II led directly into
the main street OF the village. Now
that ] had gained the village street I
looked eagerly about for them. Neither
was In sight. l guessed that Helena
Brett would make her way as soon as
possible to the hotel where she was
known. What hotel? That was the
question.
I halted an urchin and asked him
the name OF the best hotel In Alter
hoffen. "Oh. the Grand hotel" he an
swered without hesitation; that is
where all the English lords and Amer
lean millionaires stay"
Then let him take me hither;
tempted HIM with a franc.
Evidently the gentleman Is In a
hurry"
| assured him that was. and prom
ised him two francs IL | could reach
the hotel before a lady whom | was
following.
Then, the gentleman must 60 by
tho short cut"
sped after the urchin down the vii
lage street
This street is one Of the most quaint
in the whole world. There are two
stories OF shops on either side. The
pavement Of the shops below is rooted
over: this covered passageway is the
pavement for the second series OF
shops above. was on the lower pave.
piSnt. and this explains how ] was
Ste to reach fight of steps. the cut
the youngster had promised, before
Helena or DR.. Starva.
At the foot Of these steps the young.
ster bolted. assuring me that I should
find the hotel when had reached the
top OF the fight,
These steps pierced wall OF ono
OF the houses of the village street
The flight was straight Cor the first
20 or so, then 1t turned curiously on
little landing at right angles Here
was in semi-darkness ! groped NV
way for the continuance or the flight,
The first series Of steps. / began to see
dimly. had ended at a sort Of portor's
lodge. / learned afterwards that this
WINS private entrance to the hotel
above and that In the glass-coyered
little roo'p porter was accustomed
to sit.
A