Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1916-08-23
CHAPTER xyu-tContinued).

"TTNTIAT the man who asserted that he hae
| J. not heard from Lady Herbert and ther
proved that he lied by coming direct te
| Saltacres, is a Judge of the handy art OF
| fabricaton-to put II mildly mon amt"
"And what" 1 asked steadily, though
| mentally staggered by the directness-and
the truth--of his indictment, "if should
declare to you that 1 got no WORD from
Lady Herbert?"
He removed the pipe from his lips and
laughed briefly. And yet-you are here.
'rYou, believe" continued, determined
to beat him down, took tho trouble to per-
jure yourself first of all You informed me
that you were bound for Portsmouth-all
of you"
"And so we were"
Permit me to suggest" Severance put in'
"that there is room for doubt In your state
ment"
How so7"
I'VE are willing to admit to begin with,
that Lady Herbert and Mrs. Morchester
joined the Myosots at Portsmouth, when
the yacht was put into commission. But
you, Captain, and Monsieur de Netze?"
The Prussian did not reply, but Kept
steady gaze upon Sevrance. My friend had
hit at random; 1t seemed that his chance
shot was nonplusing to Won Holzborn.
where shall we say that you two Joined
the yacht?" Sevrance continued. AT Folk
stone-eh?"
The wounded man frowned. Tell me
frankly" he said abruptly, how much you
know"
That's enough" Sevrance said decidedly.
THE point is that you lied. Under the cir
cumstances we are not to be blamed for
doubling your word, for coming here in
stead of attempting to find you at Ports
mouth. Your very statement that you were
going there was enough to make us sus-
piclous. Be advised by me and"
'"What?"
Tell the truth-then none will believe
you"
HEINZ 10 laughed. well touched.
Then"-turn!ng upon me asain-"you deny
absolutely that you heard from Lady
HERBERT"
1 saw that he was not to be diverted.
The issue was plain, and not to be evaded.
Remembering Sulia's warning, 1 was deaf
to the voice of honesty. l looked him
squarely in the eye and lied. hope, like u
gentleman:
II deny II absolutely"
Good. believe you Ye: you were very
sagacious-permit me to compliment you
SO to track us down here"
held silence sevrance took up the
examination.
'Will you tell me what has taken her
ladyshlp to 81. Petersburg"
"A due regard for the safety of Monsieur
de Netze Surely the events of the last
to you, that the mans life hangs on thread
here in England. He was confronted with
the alternative OF leaving or assassination
and he chose wisely"
why did he abandon you. then7"
'At my desire"
"And her ladyship-your fancee2"
"Ah, you weary me !" He smiled in
into the cloud of pipe smoke. I'm
deed, am NOT anxious to tell all know"
"And we." 1 pursued, were locked up in |
order that you might be rid of us2"
you have fathomed the mystery" he ad- |
mltted with irony.
"I wish" said Sevrance softly, that I |
could make you tell the truth. Holzbornl" |
''You will find 1t difficult" he returned |
II don't repose confidence in my |
enemies Now, II you will be kind enough |
% leave, at your convenience, I will try to
get some rest. I am weary"
He put the pipe aside and turned his face
10 the wall. AT your convenience" he
repeated. And. by the way, II that fool,
Fritz, turns up. tell him want him-will
,ou?" !