The Yale expositor. (Yale, St. Clair County, Mich.) 1894-current, 1915-08-26

away on the yacht, and l would have
gone to the police-only / dare not
because my own hands were not quite
clean. knew they intended to silence
her, but l was powerless to save her,
poor young lady. They took her on
board Leithcourt's yacht, the Iris, and
they sailed for the Mediterranean.
believe"
And what was your connection
with them?"
well, | was Leithcourt's servant"
was his reply. 81 was steward on the
Iris for a year. until l suppose they
thought that l began to see too much.
and then / was placed in a position
ashore"
And what did you see?"
More than ! care to tell, signore.
If they were arrested l should be
arrested, too, you see."
But | mean to solve the mystery,
Olinto," l said fiercely, for | was in
no trifling mood. "Ill fathom it If
it costs me my life"
IF the signor solves It, then / can.
not be charged with revealing the
truth" was the mans diplomatic reply.
But / fear they are far too wary"
"Armida has lost her life. Surely
that is sufficient incentive for you to
bring them all to justice?"
"Of course. But If the law falls
upon them. it will also fall upon me"
l explained the terrible affliction to
which my love had been subjected by
those heartless brutes. whereupon he
cried enthusiastically: Then she is
not dead! She can tell us every
thing!"
But cannot you tell us?"
But what is the use, If we have no
clear proof?" was his evasive reply
/ could see plainly that he feared be-
ing implicated in some extraordinary
plot, the exact nature of which he so
steadfastly refused to reveal to me.
We talked on for half an hour. and
from his conversation | gathered that
he was we'll acquainted with Elma.
"Ah, signore, she was such a pleas
ant and kind-hearted young lady. I
always felt very sorry for her. She
was in deadly fear of them"
But why did they induce you to
entice me to that house in Lambeth 4?
Why did they so evidently desire that
/ should be killed."
"By accident" he interrupted. cor.
recting me. Always by accident"
and he smiled grimly.
Surely you know their secret mo-
tive?" / remarked.
AT the time | did not" he declared.
Il acted on their instructions, being
| compelled to, for they hold my future
in their hands. Therefore l could not
disobey. You knew too much, there
fore you were marked down for death
Just as you are now"
And who is it who is now seeking
my life?" inquired gravely. 81 only re-
turned from Russia yesterday"
Your movements are well known, "
answered the young italian. you can.
not be too careful. Woodroffe has
been in Russia with you, has he not?
And Chatter is in London"
Anu inc LelIncOurJS
He shrugged his shoulders with a
gesture of ignorance, adding. "Thc
! Signorina Muriel returned to London,
from Eastbourne this morning."
Where can l find her? inouir ed
eagerly. ut is of the utmost impor.
lance that should see her."
"She Is with a relation, cousin, I
think, at Bassett road, Noting Hill.
The house is called HOLLYWOOD
Then, after a pause, he added, with
strange, earnest look In his dark
eyes, Pardon me, Signor Commenda-
tore, If | presume to suggest some.
thing, will you not?"
Certainly. What do you suggest ?"
THAT you should remain here. in
this hotel, and not venture out"
For fear Of something unfortunate
happening to mel" | laughed. I'm
really not afraid. Olinto," / added.
You know l carry this" and drew
out my revolver from my hip pocket.
But, signore, have a care for your
SELF" cried the Italian, laying his hand
upon my arm. you are a marked
man. All! do / not know" he ex-
claimed breathlessly. '1f you go out
you may run right into-well, the fatal
accident"
Never fear, Olinto," I replied re-
assuringly. Il shall keep my eyes
wide open. Here, in London, ones life
is safer than anywhere else in the
world, perhaps-certainly safer than
in some places / could name in your
own country, eh?" at which he
| grinned.
The next moment he grew serious
again, and said:
II only warn the signore that II he
goes out 1t is at his own peril"
Then let it be So" l laughed, feel
ing self-conident that no one could
lead me into trap. l was neither q
foreigner nor country cousin. knew
London too well. He was silent and
shook his head; then, after telling me
that he was still 1T the same restau-
! rant In westSourne Grove. he took his
departure, warming me once more not
TO 20 sUrth