The Washington herald., 1910-02-27

That is all Tor the best; but / shall be al
right In week or two In the hustle OF
some of the American cities. But 1 want
To have this Blackmore business over as
soon as possible ana get away.
1t won't take long expect. Here We
are at the Home. think you'd better see
the man alone Hes In a little ward by
himself for this purpose"
A S Ralph entered the room Blackmort
started up nervously, and then lay bael
come at iasti" he mumured, Am I safe
here, Mr.. Anstabley"
THAT all depends on Yourself. said Ralph
sternly. The man was on the verge Of col
lapse from terror lie was shaking violent
ly the sweat stood on his forehead, his
breath came IN short gasps through his
parted, livid lips. and his eyes were wide
and staring, the pupils Diluted az II from
the result of drugs
Does that mean you'll betray me to that
devil, Marini? lie has found out where
am. l have had message from him.
You know that 1t was he who shot you,
and that he risked capture TO return TO try
aud murder you?
Yes, yes, know. know" he murmured.
that1.. he get IN here My Goa! what
Ralph's arm wildly at the sound of some
heavy object falling.
That was nothng-only the noise Of
something falling DO you think he Is like
ly TO come where ann
Blackmore still stared in the direction Of
the sound listening intenty. But he did
get that message 10 me. lie must nave
someone In this house know he had-to
ten him Things about COlOnei Bishop.
We'll, / can't stop here To listen 10 your
fears. am not surprised Marini wants TO
get at YOU lie saw you pointing out the
secret OF Count StefanO's hiding place and
I've no doubt he means 10 murder you. IL
you mix with such men you must take the
consequences. While he's at large your
LIES la danger Hen hunt you down TO
certainty, and Is only waiting till you
leave here. And you've got to leave at
mo. no. no! Mr. Anstable. you won
send me 10 my DEATH" he broke in yehem-
entity through his chattering teeth.
why shouldn't ~ What do / care what
Marini does to youT' said Ralph callously.
IF didn't know that he would see To your
being punished should hand you over to
the police"
That's why l want to see you. Mr.. An
stable. You can save me. You could SNUG
You could get me away 10 America or Aus.
traiia, any place where / could be safe
You could do that couldn't yonT
"Of course ! could. But why should /
care what becomes of your
II could tell you things-hOw 10 get hold
OF Marini. how TO ind them all. and how to
bnulk all their scheming III | were 10 tell
YOU everything would you get me out OF
the countTyY
You think I'm fool enough to be gulled with
any lying tale you please to tell mef''
II won't lie to you. swear won't. Ill
take any oath You wish"
Il Iaresny you would, but / shouldn't be-
lieve You without proof No, thank You
mate these scoundrely friends OF yours. or
rather enemies, and when | have had time
to prove the truth OF what you say II an
swer for your safety and then see that you
have the means OF getting out OF the couh.
try and enough money 20 make new start
wheresoever you choose to GO.
You swear that?" asked Blackmore
greedily.
II VIII pledge you my Wofd, answered.
The man leant back on his pillows, biting
his nails as he considered this. You pro-
tect me while you are maklns lhquiries, nme e
then give me enough money for passage
to Australia and hundred pounds besldes'
to enable me TO make "A startf
IF what you tell me is worth IT.
II must have II plain before speak ne
answered. IF l tell you how TO ind Mar
in and how to break up the whole OF Baron
Drasiis scheme
s'Then you shall have your passage ana
two hundred pounds, aud probably more
"on your honor. Mr.. AnstableF'
Yes, on my honor, agreed Raiph
Il can DO It. They think don Know puI
! do | wormed Il all out III they had
known they'd have killed me. They poisoned
one man. Volucci, because he knew TOO
much aud when he was dying ne told me
in revenge. You know about baron D'"Siii
Yes; 10 prevent the marriage between
Count Stefano ana the Countess Darh;, lh
order 20 succeed the Prince of PotenZ9;
Yves, yes" nodded Blackmore "What
Else do you knowg'
I'm waiting for you to tell me-"
'He got wind Of this marriage schemS az
most as soon as the prince had FORMED ~
for there are plenty Of men IN me prihSe
Then he learnt that Colonel shop had
charge Of the countess, aud TINT ne waS
passing her off as his niece Ehe Sol0hei
was summoned to POtenza, ana DrhslH h"u
him followed all the way TO England, ana
tracked him to a house In London
I'm st. Johns Wood: | know