The Green Forest tribune., 1915-10-15

at tue Sampalinna, restaurant built ilhe Swiss chalet, and at noon I en. tered the train on the first stage of my Slow, tedious journey through the great, silent forests and along the shores of the lakes of southern Fin iaho' by way of Tavestehus and Vi borg, to Petersburg.
 AL four o'clock next day I was out upon the quay in that city, straining ny eyes seaward for any sign of smoke but could see nothing.
 u was after ten o'clock when light aiioie alar off. and the movement of the police and porters on the quay 'oio me that 1t was the vessel. Then ai'eF a further anxious quarter of an nour II came, amid great shouting and mutual 1mprecations, slowly alongside the quay, and the passengers at last began to disembark in the pelting rain.
 suddenly l caught sight of two fig ures-one man In big tweed trav- eilng coat and golf cap, and the other the slight figure of woman in long, dark cloak and woolen tam o-shanter. The electric rays fell upon them as they came up the wet gangway together and there once aSaln l saw the sweet face of the silent woman whom had grown to love With such fervent desperation. inc man behind her was the same who had entertained me on board the Lola-the man who was said to he the lover of the fugitive Muriel Leith- court
 Without betraying my presence, watched them pass through the pass port office and custom house, and then, oyerhearing the address which Martin Woodroffe gave the ishvost- chik, stood aside, wet to the skin, and saw them drive away
 At eleven o'clock on the following day l found myself installed in the Hotel de Paris, a comfortable hostelry in the Little Morskaya
 I was beneath the same roof as Elma, although she was in ignorance of my presence. Anxious to commu- nicate with her without Woodroffes knowledge, l was now awaiting my op- portunity. He had, it appeared, taken for her pleasant front room with sit ting room adjoining, on the first floor. while he himself occupied a room on the third floor. AS far as 1 could gather from the French waiter whom II judiciously tipped, he appeared to treat her with every consideration and kindness.
 Has the Englishman received any visitors?" I asked.
 One mana Russian-an official of police, think"
 If he receives anyone else, let me know" I said And I want you to give mademoiselle letter from me in secret"
 "Bien, m 'sieur."
 I turned to the little writing table and scribbled few nasty lines to my love, announcing my presence, and asking her to grant me an interview in secret as soon as Woodroffe was absent. I also warned her of the search for her instigated by the baron and urged her to send me a line in reply.
 The note was delivered into her hand. but although 1 waited in sus- pense nearly all day she sent no reply While Woodroffe was in the hotel 1 dared not show myself lest he should recognize me, therefore I was com pelled to sham indisposition and to eat my meals alone in my room.
 For several hours sat at my win daw watching the life and movement down in the street below, my mind full of wonder and dark forebodings Was Martin Woodroffe playing her false?
 Just after half-past six o'clock the waiter entered, and handing me a note on a salver, said:
 "Mademoiselle has, I believe. only this moment been able to write in secret"
 tore 1t open and read as follows:
 Dear Friend-I am so surprised. I thought you were still in Abo Woodroffe has an appointment at eight o'clock on the other side of the city. therefore come to me al 815. I must see you. and at once. I am In peril,
 ELMA HEATH
 My love was in peril! It was just as I had feared thanked Providence that l had been sent to help her and extricate her from that awful fate to which "The Strangler of Finland had consigned her
 At the hour she named. after the waiter had come to me and announced the Englishmans departure, de- scended to her sitting room and en- tered without rapping, for If had rapped she could not, alas! have heard
 The apartment was spacious and comfortable, thickly carpeted. with heavy furniture and gliding. From her low lounge chair a slim, wan figure sprang up quickly and came forward to greet me, holding out both her hands and smiling happily.
 I took her hands in mine, and held them tightly in silence for some mo
 A. l.