The Clio messenger. (Clio, Mich.) 1907-current, 1915-09-10

gone to the police-only dare not
because my own hands were not quite
clean. l 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, l was Leithcourt's servant"
was his reply. 81 was steward on the
Iris for year, until l suppose they
thought that I began to see too much.
and then / was placed in position
ashore"
And what did you see?"
more than / care to tell, signore.
If they were arrested should be
arrested, too, you see."
"But l mean to solve the mystery
Olinto," said fiercely, for l was In
no trif1ing mood. "I'll fathom it il
it costs me my life"
eff the signor solves 1t, then l can.
not be charged with revealing the
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 II the law falls
} upon them, 1t will also fall upon me-"
l explained the terrible affection 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.
l 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 well acquainted with Elma.
"Ah, signore, she was such a pleas
ant and kind-hearted young lady. ]
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 ?
Why did they so evidently desire that
l should be killed."
by accident" he interrupted, cor
recting me. Always by accident,
and he smiled grimly.
Surely you know their secret mo
tive?" l remarked
"At the time did not" he declared
II acted on their instructions, being
compelled to, for they hold my future
in their hands. Therefore could not
disobey. You knew too much, there
fore you were marked down for death
Just as you are now"
And who is 1t who is now seeking
my life?" inquired gravely. Il only re
turned from Russia yesterday"
your movements are we'll 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"
"And the Leithcourts?"
He shrugged his shoulders with {
gesture of ignorance. adding, 9Th,
Signorina Muriel returned to Londo1
from Eastbourne this morning."
where can find herr" l inquired
eagerly. ut Is Of the utmost impor
lance that should see her."
she Is with relation, a cousin,
think, at Bassett road, Noting Hill
The house is called HOLLYWOOD"
Then, after pause, he added, will
a strange, earnest look In his darl
eyes, Pardon me, Signor Commenda
thing. will you not?"
Certainly. What do you suggest?
THAT you should remain here, 4,
this hotel, and not venture out"
For fear of something unfortunate
,, happening to mel" I laughed. "T'n
really not afraid, Olinto." added
you know l carry this" and l drew
out my revolver from my hip pocket
but, signore, have care for your
SELF" cried the Italian, laying his han
upon my arm. you are a marke
man. All! do I not know" he e,
claimed breathlessly. 'Tf you go on
you may run right into-well, the fata
accident"
Never fear, olinto," replied r.
assuringly. II shall keep my eye
wide open. Here, In London, ones liz
is safer than anywhere else in tn
world, perhaps-certainly safer tina
In some places could name in you
own country. eh?" at which h
grinned.
The next moment he grew seriou
again, and said:
II only warn the signore that IL b
goes out It is at his own peril"
Then let II be So" I laughed, fee
, ing self-confident that no one coul
lead me into trap. was neither
foreigner nor country cousin. kne,
| London too well. He was silent an
shook his head; then, after telling m
: that he was still at the same restat
, rant in Westbodrne Grove, he took hi
departure, warning ue once more nc