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

| TACT Was, III Der eyes, an undDSWSTaDIs
argument
Yes: and i know that Captain
Forbes Is detained there; l know that
he has just signaled to you that fact
and has asked you to get help And
now | want you to leave the matter
in my hands. I demand that as my
right II Is a task | have set myself.
Once you said TO me that | should
save a life for the life that was lost
through me-"
You have already made that repa.
ration. Mr.. 1Iaddon," she said almost
humbly Fate has punished me that
should have judged you SO hastily
and so wrongly"
No, no." spoke in fierce remon-
, STRANGE. VIII you never be just to
me7 That was an accident. I tell
you"
'1 do not like you less that you say
So"
1t was hopeless TO make her under.
stand now. l should have confessed
my cowardice sooner II I wished to be
believed. She had Judged as at Lu.
cerne. And this judgment caused me
much the greater pain.
Listen" I drew her to garden
scat. "A life for lIfe-that is what
you said But If. instead of a life. 1t
were mans honor that I could save
If 1t were the honor of your
brother"
Her lips trembled She leaned to.
ward me in her appeal
oh. you would crush me with the
weight OF my gratitude Save my
brothers honor. and, and"
II should then stand equal With
other men In your respect"
Yes she said family. her eyes
bright with unshed tears we need
a friend so much now We are in
such deep distress because of my poor
brother. Evidently you know of his
disgrace" Shame blanched her check.
Il know something of It," I said
with sympathy. Tell me, Miss Brett.
do | not bear a marked resemblance
to your brother"
AT first sight 1t is startling" she
cried eagerly. when my mother and
I saw you at Lucerne we thought you
were he. When we learned that you
were with Mr. Willoughby at the time
of his death. you can understand how
bitterly VIC resented our disappoint.
ment. Forgive me If / am again sus.
picious, but that | should find you
the guest of Madame dc Varnier now,
at this time"
IF l am to help you, you must trust
me-
Il will I do"
Implicitly"
Yes"
Even though circumstances seem
utterly against me? Even though
may seem friend OF Madame de Var
nier-to be in league with her against
you?"
She hesitated. "She is a dangerous
woman. If my poor brother has fallen
a victim TO her horrible beauty"
Il shall be on my guard" replied
lightly. smiling at her fierce resent
ment,
But you will continue to be her
guest Is that wise? How can you eff
feet the release of Captain Forbes If
you remain at the chateau"
How can learn the truth concern
Ing your brother, how can do my ut
most to save his honor Of 1t be not yet
too late). unless I remain at the cha
teau-yes, unless | am on apparent
good terms with Madame dc Varnier?"
You are testing my belief In you to
the utmost. Mr.. Haddon. | suppose
you smooth the suspicious of your
hostess as readily as you do mine"
She spoke bitterly And If she found
II difficult TO trust me now. how much
moro difficult when she learned, not
the whole truth, but a damning half.
truth.
"Ah, you are wavering already in
the trust you have promised to give
me, Great God. you think that IT is a
pleasant task have set MYSELF To
smile on this woman, TO play the hypo-
crite. to spy on her when | am her
guest. that | may dog her. coax her
into telling the truth. that | may en-
trap her accomplice and herself at the
right moment? Miss Brett. ] would
wash my hands of this ugly business
il | had not sworn to endure every
ignominy and risk of being mlsunder.
stood not only by man like Captain
Forbes by by yourself, l tell you that
| have not a clear field TO carry out
my plans-if | fall or am bafiled by
some well'meaning intruder. / am
disgraced man. No one Will believe
my defence-not oven you. | may
even be dragged to prison as COM
mon feion."
She placed both her hands In mine
Forgive me. My anxiety is so
great do trust you Return to
Madame de Varnier. Mr.. Haddon.
shall try TO be patient But Captain
Forbes, am l to do nothing to help
him.
Until this evening. no. You SEQ.
am testing your faith
| looked at her keenly. She re-
turned my glance with bravo assur-
ance
If you receive no word. either from
Captain Forbes or myself. by midnight
tonight, II you are not summoned to
the chateau by your brother (and that
| warn you Is only too unlikely. In
auire at the Grand hotel for Mr.. Rob
inson Locke He is an American con-
sui at Lucerne; he will help you
He has already helped us. 1t was
Mr.. Locke who directed Captain
Forbes and myself here TO Alterhof.
fen"