Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1915-08-26

Now, tell the truth. In this affair,
0linto, our interests are mutual. are
they not?"
He nodded, after a moments hesita-
ton.
And you know also a man named
Archer-who is sometimes known as
Hornby, or Woodroffe-as well as a
friend of his called Chatter"
Isl. ~signore," he said. 81 have met
them ALTO my regret"
And have you ever met a Rus
sian-a certain Baron Oberg-and his
niece, Elma Health"
His niece? She isn't his niece"
Then who is she?" l demanded.
How do know? l have seen her
onc or twice. But she's dead, isn't
she? She knew the secret Of those
men, and they intended to kill her.
l tried to prevent them taking her
away on the yacht, and l would have
gone to the ~police-only l dare not
because my w hands were not quite
clean. l knew they intended to silence
her but | was ~powerless to save her,
poor young lady. They took her on
board Leithcourt's yacht, the Iris, and
they sailed for the Mediterranean, l
believe"
And what was your connection
with them"
Wei! l was L~eithcourt's servant"
was his reply. 81 was steward on the
Iris for a year, until l suppose they
thought that began to see too much,
and then l was placed in a position
ashore"
And what did you see?"
more than ! are to tell, signore.
If they were arrested I should be
arrested, too, you see"
But l mean to solve the mystery,
0linto," l said 1ercely, for l was in
no trifing mood, "I1l fathcm it if
it costs me my life"
IF the signor solves it, then l can
not be charged with revealing the
truth was the mans diplomatic reply.
But l fear they are far too wary"
"Armida has lost her life. Surely
that is sufficient incentive for you to
bring them all to justice?"
"Of course. But if the law falls
upon them, it will also fall upon me-"
l explained the terrible affection to
which my love had been subjected by
those heartless brutes, w%hereupon he
cried enthusiastically; Then she is
not dead! She can tell US every
thing!"
But cannot you tell u.s."
But what is the use, if we have no
clear proof" was his evasive reply
l could see plainly that he feared be-
ing implicated in some extraordinary
plot, the exact nature of which he so
steadfastly refused to reveal to me.
We talked on for half an hour, and
from his conversation l gathered that
he vas well acquainted with Elma.
"Ah, signore, she was such a pleas
ant and k~ind-hearted young lady. |
always felt very sorry for her. She
vas in deadly fear of them"
But why did they induce YOU to
entice me to that house in Lambeth
Why did they so evidently desire that
! should be killed."
by accident" he interrupted, cor
recting me. Always by accident
and he smiled grimly.
Surely you know their secret mo
tive?" l remarked.
AT the time | did not" he declared
Il acted on their instructions, beinI
compelled to, for they hold my futur,
in their hands. Therefore | could no
disobey. You knew too much, there
fore you were marked down for dealt
just as you are now"
And who is it who Is now seekini
my life?" inquired gravely. 81 only re
turned from Russia yesterday"
Your movements are well known.
answered the young italian. you car
not be too careful. Woodroffe ha
been in Russia with you, has he not
And Chatter is in London"
And the Leithcourts?"
| He shrugged his shoulders with
gesture Of ignorance, adding, 9TH
Signorina Muriel returned to Londo
from Eastbourne this morning"
Where can l find her." / inquire
eagerly. 1T is of the utmost impo
lance that l should see her"
She is with a relation, a cousin.
think, at Bassett road, Noting Hi
The house is called HOLLYWOOD"
Then, after a pause, he added, viii
a strange, earnest look in his dar
eyes, Pardon me, Signor Commend
d tore, II l presume to suggest som
thing, will you not?"
Certainly. What do you suggest
e "That you should remain here,
this hotel and not venture out"
For fear Of something unfortuna
/. happening to mel" / laughed. ~
really not afraid, Olinto," adde