The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1910-01-08

snouio have died. l should have died."
my DEAR
81 couldn't have lived if
But, my dear, | didn't eat it-and
here we are. God bless you" He
turned abruptly and walked of beside
her, ignoring the two distressed Amer
leans. As they passed through the
French window Deppingham put his
arm about his wife's waist. Chase
turned to Britt
Il don't know what you're thinking,
Britt, but it isn't SO, whatever il is"
Good Lord, man, | wasn't thinking
thatr'
There was not the slightest doubt in
the minds OF those conversant with
the situation that the poison had been
intended for either Lord or Lady Dep
bingham. The drug had been subtly.
skilfuIly placed In one Of the sand
wiches which came up TO their rooms
at Il o'clock. the hour at which they
Invariably drank of cup of bouilon.
Drusiila Browne was testing. no
doubt. but 1t is doubtful If any one
grasped the delicacy Of her humor
when she observed, in mock concern,
addressing the assembled mourners,
that she believed the heirs were try
ing to get rid Of their membranes
after the good old Borgia fashion and
that she would never again have the
courage to eat a mouthful or food so
long as she stood between her husband
and a hymeneal fortune.
You know, my dear" she concluded,
turning to her husband. that L might
have had Lord Deppingham's biscuit.
His wife asked me to take it. Good
ness, you're a dreadful Borgia person.
Agnes" she went on, smiling brig htly
at her ladyship. Deppingham was
fumbling nervously at his monocle.
II should think you ,Uould be nervous,
Lord Derpingham.'
The most rigid questioning elected
no information from the servants.
Baillo's sudden, involuntary look of
suspicion, directed toward Lady Agnes
and Robert Browne, did not escape the
keen eye of Hollingsworth Chase.
"Impossible.' he said. half aloud.
He looked up and saw that the prin-
cess was staring at him questioningly.
He shook his head without thinking
Despair settled upon the white peo-
pie They were confronted by a new
and serious peril-poison. At no time
could they feel safe.
One Of the stable boys volunteered to
carry a note from Chase to Rasuls.
asking the opportunity to lay a ques-
ton Of grave Importance before him.
Chase suggested to Rasula that he
should meet him that evening at the
west gate, under a flag Of truce. The
tone of the letter was more or less per-
emptory.
Rasula came, sullen but curious. At
first he would not believe, but Chase
was firm in his denunciation of Jacob
Won Blitz. Then he was pleased to ac-
cuse Chase Of duplicity and double
dealing. going so far as to charge the
deposed American with plotting against
Won Blitz to further his own ends in
he agreed to follow the advice of the
American-grudgingly, to be sure, but
none the less determined.
you will find everything as l have
stated 1t. Rasula,' said Chase. I'm
sorry you ale against me, for | would
be your friend. I've told you how to
reach the secret cave. The chests are
there. The passage is closed. You can
trap him in the attempt to rob the
bank. | could have taken him red
handed and given him over to Lord
Deppingham. but you would never
have known the truth. Now / ask you
to Judge for yourselves. Give him q
fair trial, Rasula-as you would any
man accused Of crime-and be just. II
you need a witness-an eyewitness
call on me- l will come, and l will
appear against him. I've been honest
with you. l am willing to trust you to
be honest with me-"