The Madison journal., 1915-10-30
CHAPTER xv-Continued.
IS

-15-
"Ouite likely" he answered. But
our first object must be to redlscoVer
Muriel Would it not be best to send
an urgent wire to the address where
always write? She would then reply
here no doubt. I've told you practi-
cally everything, my dear old fellow.
The facts of the affair can be made
known only by Muriel. l tell you, we
must find her."
"Yes, we must-at all hazards" l
said. Lets go across to the tele-
graph Office opposite Charing Cross.
It's open always" And we rose and
walked out along the Strand, now
nearly deserted, and dispatched an
urgent message to Muriel at an ad-
dress in Hurlingham road. Fulham.
Afterwards we stood outside on the
curb, still talking. loath to part from
him, when there passed by in the
shadow two men in dark overcoats,
who crossed the road behind US to
the front of Charing Cross station.
and then continued on towards Trafal.
gar square.
As the light Of the street lamp fell
upon them thought l recognized the
face OF one as that Of person i had
seen before, yet was not'at all GER
tain. and my failure to remember
whom the passer-by resembled pre-
vented me from saying anything fur
ther to Jack than:
"A fellow / know has just gone by
/ think"
I'VE seem to be meeting hosts OF
friends tonight" he laughed. After
all, old chap, 1t does one good to come
back to our dear, dirty old town again
We abuse 1t when we are here, and
talk of the life in Paris and Vienna
and Brussels, but when we are away
there Is no place on earth so dear to
us. for 1t is home But there!" he
laughed, I'm actually growing roman
tic. All! II we could only find Muriel!
But we must tomorrow. Ta-ta!
shall 20 around to the club and sleep
for / haven't fixed on any diggings
yet. Come in at ten tomorrow, and
we will decide upon some plan. One
thing is plainly certain-Elma must
at once be got out of Russia. She's
certainly in deadly peril of her life
there"
"Yes," / said. "And you will helI
me?"
with all my heart, old fellow" an
swered my friend, warmly graspinf
my hand, and then we parted, hs
strolling along towards the National
Gallery on his way back to the Jun
ior," while l returned to the Ceci
alone.
Captain Durnford?" / inquired o.
the hall porter of the club next morn
ing.
mot here, sir"
But he slept here last night"
remarked. Il have an appointment
with him."
The man consulted the big book be
fore him. and answered:
Captain Durnford went out at 9:2
last night, sir, but has not returned.
Strange. l thought, but although
waited in the club nearly an hour. b
did not put in an appearance.
About four o'clock, as was passin
through the big hall of the hotel,
heard voice behind me utter a gree
ing In Italian, and, turning in su
prise, found Olinto, dressed in his bes
suit Of black. standing hat in hand.
In an instant l recollected whs
Jack had told me. and regarded hil
with some suspicion.
"Signor Commentators" he said
low voice, as though fearing to
overheard, may be permitted
speak in private with your"
Certainly" said. and took hi
In lift up to my room.
Il have come to warn you, signore
he said, when had given him a sea
Your enemies mean harm to you
Look here. Olinto!" / exclaime
determinedly, 'Tve had enough of tn
confounded mystery. Tell me Il
truth regarding the assassination
your poor wife up In Scotland"
"Ah. signore!" he answered sad
in a changed voice. 81 do not kno,
II was a plot Someone representt
me-but he was killed also. They b
lieved they had struck me down."
added. with a bitter laugh. Poor A
midas body was found concealed b
hind a rock on the opposite side
the wood. l saw it-ah!" he cri,
shuddering.
The police had, II seemed. su
ceeded in discovering the unfortuna
woman after all. and had found tn
she was his wife.
"You know a man named Lett
court?" / asked a few minutes late