"
"I have not forgotten," insisted Philip grimly, "that Miss Westfall's
servant sunk his terrible fingers into the throat of the man whose
knife scar I bear. Whether or not his knife was meant for me, I can
not say. Nor have I sufficient proof openly to accuse him, but of this
much I am convinced. Themar's presence near the camp of Miss Westfall
is, in the face of your peculiar and secretive errand, ominously
significant."
The Baron sighed. There was frank hostility in Philip's eyes.
"Miss Westfall," added Philip hotly, "is the unsuspecting victim of a
peculiar network of mystery of which I feel you hold the key. Her camp
is constantly spied upon. Upon the night of the storm there were two
men lurking mysteriously in the forest near her camp fire. The knife
of one I was unfortunate enough to receive. The other," Philip's eyes
glinted oddly, "the other, Excellency," he finished slowly, "tried, I
firmly believe--to kill Miss Westfall."
"Impossible!" exclaimed the Baron, greatly shocked.
"If I might know the nature of your peculiar interest in Miss
Westfall," urged Philip bluntly, "I would have greater faith in your
apparent surprise."
The Baron reddened.
"That is quite impossible," he regretted formally. "Pray believe that
you have magnified its importance into exceedingly ludicrous
proportions.
Pages:
98
99
100
101
102
103
104
105
106
107
108
109
110
111
112
113
114
115
116
117
118
119
120
121
122