Evening star., 1919-03-02
Valentine West Secret Accent By Percy James Brebne

was EiSka MaloSki. the prima donna
who had created something of a sen
sation during the past opera season.
He had heard her sing in La Bo-
heme" and Faust" He had never
been in her company before, never
spoken to her but he knew she had
been widely feted and she would GER
tainly not remember all who had been
present to do her honor on these oc-
casions
II am afraid you are looking upon
anxious to be considered a friend.
You have forgotten me; it il not re-
markahte. but one does not so easily
forget Elska Maloski"
You know me! How"
You have been entertained more
than once. is it remarkable that
should have been among the guests?
| am a music lover. Only tonight
have enjoyed the music of your
friend. the. violinist who was your
messenger
still | do not understand what you
have to do with Gen. Rasilon nor
why you are here. Men have forced
themselves upon me before"
i know the kind you mean; l am
not one of them. Let me explain. Gen.
Rasloff is not only a Russian he
is OF interest and service to every
state in Europe. His own country
comes first. l doubt not. but he has
done much to advance higher ideals
OF government in Europe, higher aims
Oh NE. 10 eSt3plIS0 a greater sense
OF brotherhood among the nations.
such wide activities as his naturally
embrace many small men-men like
myself for instance. No one can be
better aware OF his wide Sympathtes
than you are. There is no man in
Russia who has worked so steadily
for the good of Poland. His PARTISAN
ship has earned him many enemies
in his own country,
''Rasiloffl Poland. You can say all
this of Gen, Rasiloff2"
Il know it is true
True of Michael Rasioff," she ex-
claimed. You are either Il fool or
his dupe."
set Vests brain working rapidly
Surely this house was a trap topgh
baited with this beautiful singer. Yet
she did not know the general that
was clear; it was only his reputation
she knew. or thought she did. What
ever information the general expect
ed to receive tonight, that was a dan
gerous place to come for 1t. What
was Elska Maloskis purpose in be
ing here? West made up his mind
quickly. He might run some personal
risk in telling the truth, he might
ruin all chance of discovering the
reason of Rasiloff's visit to this coun-
try. but the general might be here at
any moment. and there was no know
ing what peril lay in wait for him
D in this house in Grove road.
Perhaps it Is you who have been
deceived" he said. DO you know who
Gen. RasiofY really is?"
Know him. she exclaimed
DO you know that the name is
only assumed for travelling purposes.
as an incognto; that he is the Grand
Duke Pau1?"
She stepped back in amazement
The Grand Duke Paul" she said in
a whisper the man for whom any
Pole would gladly die, -"
."rhat is why we look after him SO
carefully" said West.
You swear this is true?"
II do"
She looked straight into his eyes as
if she would read his soul. For a mo-
ment she stood rigid, and then sud-
denly she was alive with Il movement
so swift that Vests eyes could not
follow it,
Liar" she cried, and at the same
instant revolver cracked, fired at
him point blank. West thought. He
had no time to utter a sound. and If
he moved at all it was inyoluntarily
until something struck him aud sent
him staggering across the room. 1t
was mans body which struck him
as 1t fell to the floor. He had heard no
sound, but the woman had seen the
man come from between the curtains
bent on murder. and had fred at him
across Vests shoulder. He lay quite
still, a short dagger stin gripped In
an had saved his life and at the same
time she had taken her own revenge.
That was Demetrius Braska who
for his own ends lied to me-" she said.
And objected to my telling you the
truth" said West. bending down to
look into the mans face. 1T was the
violinist who had led the orchestra at
Lady Hanson's tonight. At that mo-
ment the front doorbell rang
Are there any more like him in the
house? West asked. pointing at the
dead man
No"
win you allow me to take care OF
that revolver?"
After moments hesitation she
gave 1T to him.
II will open the door," he said
The girl had saved his life, and in
stinctively he was protecting her
against the result Of her action. He
was not afraid of the duke but he
was very anxious the slatternly WON
an should not know what had hap
pened. not yet at any rate There was
no knowing what interest she might
have in the deal man.
The duke was armed and prepared
for surprise: West saw that the mo-
ment he entered. without a word he
closed the door and led him to the
room at the back. Eiska Maloski
swept him a deep courtesy and as he
acknowledged 1T he saw the dead
man on the floor.
Il shot him. she said calmly Il
uill toll your hi 4, n nry ,,,J,,,,,