The Madison journal. (Tallulah, Madison Parish, La.) 1888-current, 1915-10-23

looked into her eyes. Then, turning
to me, she said: so the Red Priest
has sent you both to me! You are in
danger of arrest, | suppose-you wish
me to conceal you here?"
81 would only ask sanctuary for
mademoiselle," was my reply. For
myself have no fear. | am English,
and therefore not a member of the
Party"
Well" exclaimed the gray-haired
lady smiling. leading my love across
the luxurious room, the atmosphere OF
which was filled with the scent of
flowers. and taking off her cloak with
her own hands, you are safe here,
my poor child If spies have not fol-
lowed you. then you shall remain my
guest as long as you desire"
Il am sure it is very good of you.
princess" l said gratefully. Miss
Heath is the victim of a vile and das-
tardly conspiracy. When | tell you
that she has been afflicted as she is
by her enemies-that an operation
was performed upon her in Italy while
she was unconscious-you will readily
see in what deadly peril she is"
What" she cried. Have her enc
mics actually done this? Horrible!"
"She will perhaps tell you of the
strange romance that surrounds her
| a mystery which / have not yet been
| able to fathom. She is a Russian
subject, although she has been edu-
Gated in England. Baron Oberg him
self is, believe, her worst and most
bitter enemy"
"Ah! the Strangler!" she exclaimed
with a quick flash in her dark eyes.
But his end is near. The movement
is active in Helsingfors. At any mo-
ment now we may strike our blow for
freedom"
who is this man Martin Wood
| roffe, of whom she speaks?" asked the
princess presently. turning to me.
II have met him twice-only twice"
| replied, land under strange circum-
stances" Then, continuing. l told
her something concerning the Incl
dents of the yacht Lola.
HE may be in love with her, and
desires to force her into marriage"
she suggested, expressing amazement
at the curious narrative l had related.
Il think not, for several reasons.
One is because know she holds some
secret concerning him, and another
because he is engaged to an English
girl named Muriel Leithcourt."
"Leithcourt? Leithcourt?" repeated
the princess, knitting her brows with
a puzzled air. do you happen to
know her fathers name?"
was telling the story Of the Leith-
courts when the long, white doors Of
F, the handsome salon were thrown open
and there entered a man whose hair
fell over the collar of his heavy over
coat, but whom, in an instant rec
ognized as Otto Kampf.
81 come. princess, in order to ex-
plain to you" he said. "Mademoiselle
fears rearrest. and the only house in
Petersburg that the police never sus.
pect is this. Therefore l send her
to you, knowing that with your gen.
crosby you will help her in her dis.
tress."
1T is all arranged" was her high.
ness response. "She will remain
here, poor girl, until 1t is safe for her
to go out Of Russia" Then. after
some further conversation, and after
my well-beloved had made signs OF
heartfelt gratitude to the man known
from end to end of the Russian en-
pire as THE Red Priest" the princess
turned to me, saying:
81 would much like to know what
occurred before the Leithcourts lef,
Scotland"
THE Leithcourts!" exclaimed
Kampf in utter surprise do you
know the Leithcourts-and the Eng
lish officer Durnford?"
looked into his eyes in amazement
What connection could Jack Durnford
of the marines have with the adven
turer, Philip Leithceurt? l, however
recollected Jacks word. when l de
scribed the visit of the Lola to Leg
horn, and further / recollected that
very shortly he would be back in Lon
don from his term Of Mediterranean
service.
WELL" I said after a pause, /"
happen to know Captain Durnfort
well. but had no idea that he wa.
friendly with Leithcourt."
The Red Priest smiled, stroking hi:
white beard.
Explain to her highness what she
desires to know. and / will tell you.
: My eyes met Elma's, and saw how
intensely eager and interested she
was, watching the movement of m,
lips and trying to make out wha
words ! uttered.