The Morning examiner. [volume] (Ogden, Utah) 1904-1910, 1909-02-28

|
even more aggressive than when he
had first surprised me. To reason
with him was impossible unless ! told
him all. There was no time for that
Force alone could rescue me from my
dilemma II II was hopeless TO disarm
his suspicious. could rob him OF the
revolver in his hip pocket? ] made
no further attempt to resist l stood
passively, waiting my chance.
so Starva has turned traitorF
Locke questioned ironically. But II
the Countess Sarnhofr is so anxious to
outwit her former confederate the
life Of Prince Ferdinand is actually In
peril and she would save him, why did
she not send man for that desperate
work? Why did she not let Captain
Forbes escape instead of you? Would
he be so averse to the saving of a
kings life? Even II you believe her
silly yarn. she has trlcked you. You
are clay in her hands. her kisses have
bewltched you"
I made no answer TO his taunts. I'm
consciously he had loosened his hold.
stood as one crushed by his vindic-
tive. Scorn. My attitude confessed
defeat, Locke believed the acted lie
when he had contemporary scoffed
at the truth.
"Onco more, your errand, and no
more lies. You wish to save Ferdi-
nand; you pretend that is the futile
errand Madame de Varnier sends you
on. You would penetrate the strong
hold of a desperate band unarmed-
you who only this morning saw a
young girls life threatened and raised
no hand. II 1t was cowardice that
made you hesitate, why should the
coward play the hero so bravely now?
Or was 1t that you are the ally of, the
very man whom you pretend you are
anxious to confront empty'handed?"
Il have done my best to move you.
What do you want? l am in your
hands
Il want the truth"
II have told you the truth. II l lied
1t might avail me more" / said bitter
ly. For the last time I entreat you.
have been proved coward-twice.
But this was to be my chance. hoped
to retrieve myself But fate blocks
the way with fool who cannot see
when man Is desperately in earnest
Fcrdinand's murder is certain II we
lift no hand to save him. Listen: In
my pocket is the key 10 the little door
Just beyond you. Take 1t; let your
self into the hall: hide there and use
the evidence OF your own eyes"
And let you slip from my hands?
Not muchl What is that?"
He turned abruptly. The accom-
pllce of Dr. Starva who had been keep
ing guard before the door was running
toward the passageway leading from
the village street. I could hear dis.
tinctly the carriage wheels rumble
over the cobblestones."
For the last tlme." / besought.
There is not an instant to lose"
Still he hcsltated. looking cautiously
around the angle OF the wall at the ap-
preaching carriage His curiosity made
him negligent.
This was my chance One arm
caught him about the neck. the other
reached for his weapon. Then l
pushed him violently backward and
covered him, rctreating myself toward
the little door. the key in my hand.
Stand back" ! whispered flerceIy.
Now take you choice. Go to the vii
lage; you cont go too quickly. you
stubborn idiot Come back with gend-
armes; batter down the door. Or else
come with me, You have accused me
Of cowardice mope than once. Show
you are man Quickly. your choicel"
heard him chuckling softly to him
self In the darkness.
We'll. Pm damned" he muttered.
more than once Lead on, Macduff."
AS my key slipped into the lock he
was at my side.
] pushed the little door open.
The hall was empty. but brilliant
No nook or Granny afforded us a safe
hIding-place.
leaped up the staircase with Locke
at my heels. We had reached the gal
lery as the great door swung open,
Prince Ferdinand entered, DR.. Starva
and his ally crowding him close on
either side.
The prince stepped into the hall with
apparent confidence. But as he heard
the door clang behind him he turned
alertly to DR.. Starva
Where Is Madame de varnier?" he
demanded in French.
Madame de Varnier is unavoidably
detained, your Majesty She has dele
gated me to receive You. Be assured,
your Majesty's welcome shall not be
lacking IN warmth. VIII your Majesty
pray be seated? There are urgent
matters of state to be discussed"
He pushed the prince brutally into
chair, bending over him with hldeDus
smile that would have done credit to
the devil himself
Locke and I were orouching behind
an antique rug that hung over the gal
lery rail. He grasped my hand and
wrung 1t hard; II was an apology that
he had doubted me, and an assurance
that he was with me now heart aud
soul. He had seen enough already to
prove to him that ] had spoken the
absolute truth
We listened breathless yes. and we
could see as well. and with no danger
OF discovery. The rug was n museum
specimen. and In places was worn
through web and woof: 1t was a sim
pie matter to widen the Sits slightly
with our fingers
Perhaps your Majesty did not no. |