The Green Forest tribune., 1915-11-05


 his death-a most dastardly crime, with which none of his friends were associated, and of which we alone held knowledge. He therefore wrote to us as though from Leithcourt, calling us up to Rannoch, in order to strike the blows in the darkness" he added in his peculiar Italian man. ner. Besides, he feared we would tell the sfgnore the truth"
 You have not told the police?"
 "I dare not, signore. Surely the less the police know about this matter tha better. otherwise the Signorina Leith- court must suffer for her fathers avarice and evil-doing."
 Yes" cried Jack anxiously. That's right. Olinto. The police must know nothing. The reprisals we must make ourselves. But who was 1t who shot me in Suffolk street?"
 The same man, Martin Woodroffe."
 Then the assassin is back from Russian"
 He followed closely behind the Signor Commentators. Markoff, clever secret agent of Baron Oberg's, came with him."
 Then for the first time recollected that the man I had recognized in the Strand was a fellow had seen loung- ing in the anteroom of the palace of the governor-general of Finland. The pair. fearing that I should reveal what l knew. were undoubtedly in London to take my life in secret. Now that Lefthcourt was dead, Woodroffe had united forces with Oberg, and intend ed to silence me because they feared that Elma, besides escaping them. had also revealed her secret.
 T trust that the Signorina Leith court has explained the story of the yacht and it's crew." Olinto remarked. And has also shown you how I was implicated. You will therefore discern the reason why have hitherto feared to give you any explanation.
 Yes" I said Miss Leithcourt has told me great deal, but not every thing. I cannot yet gather for what reason she and her father fled from Rannoch."
 Then 1 will tell you," said Muriel quickly. My father suspected Wood roffe of being the assassin in Ran noch wood, for he knew that he had broken away from the original com pact, and had now allied himself with Oberg. Yet it was also my fathers object to appear in fear of them, be- cause he was only awaiting an oppor- tunity to lay plans for poor Elma's rescue from Finland. Therefore one evening Woodroffe called. and my fa- ther encountered him in the avenue, and admitted him with his own latch key by one of the side doors of the castle, afterwards taking him up to the study. He knew that he had come to try and make terms for Oberg, therefore he saw that he must fly at once to Newcastle, where the Iris was lying, get on board. and sail away.
 With some excuse he left him in the study, and then warned my mother and myself to prepare to leave. But while we were pccking, it appeared that Chatter, who had followed, was shown into the study by the butler, or rather he entered there himself, be- ing we'll acquainted with the house. Thus the two men, now bitter ene- mics met. A fierce quarrel must have ensued, and Chatter was poisoned and concealed, Woodroffe, of course, be- lieving he had killed him. My father entered the study again, and seeing only Woodroffe there, did not know what had occurred. Some words prob ably arose, when my father again turned and left. Then we fled to Carlisle and on to Newcastle, and next morning were on board the yacht out in the North sea, afterwards land ing at Rotterdam Those," she added, "are briefly the facts, as my poor fa- ther related them to me-"
 And what of poor Elma-and Of her secret? When, I wonder, shall see herr" I cried in despair.
 You will see her now signore." an swered Olinto. "A servant of the Princess Zurloff brought her to Lon uOu luIS dILeiHoou, anu nave JuoL conveyed her from the station. She is in the next room, in ignorance, how ever, that you are here.'
 And without another word fled for ward Joyfully, and threw open the folding doors which separated me from my silent love.
 Silent. yes! But she could. never the,ess, tell her story-surely the strangest that any woman has ever lived to tell