The Idaho Springs siftings-news., 1916-03-10

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 would have
gone to the police l dare not
clean l knew they intended to silence
her. but l was powerless to save her.
poor young lady. They took her on
board Leithcourt's yacht. the Iris. and
they sailed for the Mediterranean.
believe"
And what was your connection
with them?"
We'll. I was Leithcourt's servant"
was his reply. II was steward on the
Iris for year. until l suppose they
thought that began to see too much,
ashore"
And what did you sect"
More than care to tell, signore.
II they were arrested l should be
arrested, too. you see."
But l mean to solve the mystery,
Olinto," said fiercely, for l was in
no trifing mood iii fathom it II
1t costs me my life."
III the signor solves 1t, then l can
not be charged with revealing tho
TRUTH" was the mans diplomatic reply
But fear they are far too wary"
"Armida has lost her life. Surely
that is sufficient incentive for you to
bring them all to 1ustice7"
"Of course. But If the law falls
upon them, 1t will also fall upon me-"
I explained the terrible afliction to
which my love had been subjected by
those heartless brutes. whereupon he
cried enthusiastically: Then she is
not dead! She can tell Us every
thing!"
But cannot you tell us2"
But what Is the use, II We have no
clear proof" was his evasive reply
I 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 was well acquainted with Elma.
"Ah. signore, she was such a pleas
ant and kind-hearted young lady. 7
always felt very sorry for her. She
was 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
I should be killed."
by accident" he interrupted, cor
recting me. Always by accident. /"
and he smiled grimly.
Surely you know their secret mo-
tive?" I remarked
AT the time did not" he declared.
Il acted on their instructions, being
compelled to. for they hold my future
In their hands. Therefore l could not
disobey. You knew too much, there
fore you were marked down for death
just as you are now"
And who is 1t who 10 now seeking
my life?" l inquired gravely. II only re-
turned from Russia yesterday"
Your movements are we'll known. I"
answered the young Italian You can
not be too careful. Woodrofre has
been in Russia with you. has he not {?
And Chatter is in London"
"And the Leithcourts?"
He shrugged his shoulders with a
gesture of ignorance. adding, THE
Signorina Muriel returned to London
from Eastbourne this morning"
Where can find herr" l inquired
eagerly. ut is of the utmost impor-
lance that should see her."
"She Is with a relation, a cousin, |
think. at Bassett road, Noting Hill.
The house is called 'Holmwood.'
Then, after a pause, he added, with
strange, earnest look in his dark
eyes, Pardon me. Signor Commenda-
tore. If l presume to suggest some
thing, will you not?"
Certainly. What do you suggest ?"
THAT you should remain here, in
this hotel, and not venture out"
For fear Of something unfortunate
happening to mel" laughed. Pm
really not afraid, Olinto," I added.
You know l carry this" and l drew
out my revolver from my hip pocket.
But. signore. have a care for your
SELF" cried the Italian, laying his hand
upon my arm. You are q marked
man. All! do l not know" he ex-
claimed breathlessly. "If you go out
accident"
Never fear. Olinto." I replied re-
assuringly. Il shall keep my eyes
wide open. Here. in London, ones life
is safer than anywhere else in the
world. perhaps-certainly safer than
In some places l could name in your
own country, eh?" at which he
grinned.
The next moment he grew serious
again. and said:
II only warn the signore that If he
goes out 1t is at his own peril"
Then let it be So" l laughed, feel
ing self.confident that no one could
lead me into a trap. I was neither .