The Clio messenger. (Clio, Mich.) 1907-current, 1915-08-27


at the Sampalinna, restaurant built
like Swiss chalet. and at noon ! 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
land, by way of Tavestehus and VI
borg to Petersburg.
At four o'clock next day was out
upon the quay in that city, straining
my eyes seward for any sign OF
smoke. but could see nothing.
1t was after ten o'clock when light
shone afar off. and the movement Of
the police and porters on the quay
told me that it was the vessel. Then
after further anxious quarter of an
hour 1t came, amid great shouting and
mutual imprecations, slowly alongside
the quay, and the passengers at last
began to disembark in the pelting
rain.
Suddenly caught sight of two fig
ures-one man in a big tweed trav-
| cling coat and a golf cap, and the
| other the slight figure of a woman in
| a long, dark cloak and wooden tam
| o'shanter The electric rays fell
upon them as they came up the wet
gangway together, and there once
| again / saw the sweet face OF the
silent woman whom l had grown to
love with such fervent desperation.
The man behind her was the same
who had entertained me on board the
| Lola-the man who was said to be
| 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, overhearing 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 found myself installed in the
Hotel de Paris, comfortable hostelry
in the Little Morskaya.
was beneath the same roof as
Elma, although she was in ignorance
Of my presence. Anxious to commu-
nicate with her without Woodroffe's
knowledge, 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 / could
gather from the French waiter whom
judiciously tipped, he appeared to
treat her with every consideration and
| kindness.
HAS the Englishman received any
visitors? ?" asked.
Zone mana Russian-an official of
police, l think"
"If he receives anyone else, let me
know" / said. "And | want you to
give mademoiselle a letter from me
in secret"
"Bien, m'sieur."
/ turned to the little writing table
and scrubbed a few hasty lines to my
love, announcing my presence, and
asking her to grant me an interview
in secret as soon as Woodroffe was
absent. / 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 l waited in sus-
pense nearly all day she sent no reply.
While Woodroffe was in the hotel
dared not show myself lest he should
recognize me, therefore was COM
PEELED to sham indisposition and to
eat my meals alone In my room.
For several hours l 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 note
on salver. said:
"Mademoiselle has, believe, only
this moment been able to write in
secret"
tore 1t open and read as follows:
Dear Friend-I am so surprised !
thought you were still in Abo. Woodroffe
has an appointment at eight o'clock on
TO me at 8:15. I must see you. and at
once. I am in peril.
ELMA HEATH.
My love was in peril! 1t was just
as had feared. thanked Providence
that had been sent to help her and
extricate her from that awful fate
to which THE Stranger of Finland
had consigned her.
At the hour she named, after the
waiter had come to me and announced
the Englishman's departure, l de.
scended to her sitting room and en-
tered without rapping, for IL had
raped 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.