1905-01-07 — Page 9

[ALL Rionta RESERVED] THE BLACK RIBBON.

BY

L. T. MEADE.

(Author of "A Woman in Grey," de

CHAPTER XVII. Contina.

"I am about to explain everything," said

THE HONGKONG DAILY PRESS, SATURDAY, JANUARY 7TH, 1905.

"But I thought you had another alternative," said Olga, turning to her father and trembling very mach.

I resign that on the spot," said Kri tofski. "It is toe troublesome. The other is so easy. You understand that I allude to the dropping of the pebble."

Olga turned perceptibly whito.

at Delafield.

"You will take the vows," she saici, looking They moan ok golden things," said Count Sacri. To begin with, a marriage ceremony, and the uniting in the herds of Hoy Muti Wamuny to the most beautiful and noble lady

Ramsia has ever seen.”

the

Professor his most courteous tone. have asked you to come here, my friend, he cause in no other possible manner can you retain your litrty in this country. I had not the dightest wish that you should accompany to. to Petersburg, und had no desire to find you a passenger on board the Arethusa. I wanted, on the contrary, to bring Helen Lausulale from England, to fulfil the mission she had vowed to You, undertake, rutraminelled and alone. contrary to the dictates of prudence, and in

your loverlike_and_gallant fashion, decided to

Breompany her."

Delafield froward and would have spoken. but Helen spa-azed his hand.

You are here, my friend D-Intel, and you must take the consequences. Wo do not went you as a foe, we do not want you as a spy."

A growl can from a distant part of the It was as though a dozen people were about to let looke a passion of fury upon. Delafield's devoted hond. Olga slumped one of har feet.

1921

-Your into

Silence, friends" she idl. emptions are wost museemly."

Immediately there was a silenea so gent that the proverbiel pin might have been heard to drop

You came against. your will," continued Kristofski, and now you must stay, probably against your will. That is the only means by which you est rape the forfeit of your life.""

13

Hare bo bowd to Halen. who half fainting, was now leaning up against Delafield.

for a life. Yes, my fee and Helen's foo shail, speak quite explickly to fou, Rebecca, for I know some scorets of yours, and after all, there is no have no mercy at my bands,"

A fierce fire burned in his eyes. His fore-stronger way of keeping a man or woman faithful. futhere had been soldiers and had fenght for se to know something that would tume him or their country, and Dalatield now had the sol her. Well, to come to the point, what do you dier's ardour in his breast.

think the Englishmen will do? Is he going to be a fool and refuse to join the Black Ribbon, or will he choose the more cautious part and wed the fair Helen, that is try to wed her, for I will supplant him, I vow I will. But what is it for the present? Eh, Rawlinson? Eh P**

"believe," said Rawlinson, raising cold, glittering eyes like two picees of steel to Count Sacri's face,

that layout doubt, Maurice Derfield, being an Englishman will be true to his country. He loves Helen Lumsdale, but to quote a certain old song, he loves honour mere. Society of the Black Robben."

Helen, dear," he said, “you made a mis. take. There is no time to talk of that. You joined a cause which you thought pure and goal and high. Oh, there are the oppressed, and the prisoners, and those who suffer, but we cannot gave them by ments such as ulga Kris- tofski employs. My darling, without staining You just

my honour I yet will save you just trust yours-If to me and be satisded to be Helen sobbed on nacontrollably. After a and listopek cursinlly while Delafield Fastracted har in the lowest of whispers.

a weak woman for once."

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• Kalp me, save mo," she said in a whisper in time, however, she grew braver sat more calm and to hiin it would be dishonour to join the and herbs that not on the bowels, invigorating | L

his ear. You cannot leave me here. You can't die and leave me now that you bava come. You can't leave me."

"I can't take those rows, dearest, far to me they mese dishonour," he said.

We wait for your zuster, sir," said Kris. tofski, interrupting the whispered conversation between the two.

Meanwhile Rebecca passed slowly through

the great council chamber, which was empty now, and with a lighted candle in her hand sho went up the narrow steps which led to Professur Kristofski's library. She paused for no instant

"Ha!" said Count Steri, is that indeed the case Then he wil die, and Helen will be free. I could marry her within twenty-four hours."

You must manage your owu love affairs, Count. They have nothing to do with me. I to examine the iron ring, which had bean fast-am only anxions to know what will be the in end securely into the wall at one side of the

mediate fate of the Englishman.” narrow pisage. She lifted it in her hand and

Then I am very sorry to seera impolite, but under the crestenes there is nothing what ever for me to do but to accept the latter alternati tive." sail Delafield.

You mean that you will die!" said Olga, and she came a step ourer. admiration and **You are indeed passion gleaming in her eyes. brave. You mean that you will die!" Surely that is the alternative," **It is."

There was a murmur of low voices in the

roons, and men and women <que up elege and horrounded Delafield

said

"Is this your unalterable decision ?" Kristofsli

*

Bat

"It is, sir. I refuse to take the vows. may I bave one word aloue with this lady

He touched Helan on the arE).

*You will die in "Yes, yes," said Olga two hours, sir, unless iuded you think it well to change your mind in the meantime. There is a room where you and Miss Lumlale can consult together alone. We give you exactly three-quarters of an hour. At the end of that time if you have not made up your mind to join our Order, you face the alternative."

"Of tuy life!" said Delafield, stepping for ward. And what do you mean by that, sir? I am an Englishman, and I will call on the good Consul at Petersberg to protect me."

You defy my nation when you say words of that sort to mo. I lanve no doubt the Consul has good hearing, but his ears are not long ough to penetrate to this sacrat chamber beneath my Palucent Peterhof," said Kristofski Destiell, glancing at her nith-prond eyes. with a surile. In short, my dear sir, you are in our power. We don't want to be cruel to you, We simply want to bind you to us, as this young Jady is bound."

Yes. Maurice, oh yis whispered Helen, you will do it for my sake."

Delafield irrnel and locked at her. It seemed to him then, in the midst of his danger-he know well that he was in the gravest langer- that there was nothing in,all the world that he had wrer met, quite so beautiful as the faith and trust in her eyes, She believed both in him sud in the cause she had adopted as her own.

I will liston patiently for your sake," he said and then he turned and faced Kristofski "Speak, Professor. I am all attention."

We ask you," said Kristofaki, to join our order. Helen Lutasilale is already a member. What we want is perhaps not so mich au yet in one sense it is immense All we want is yore money-be it great or little, but that is a secou- dary consideration.-we want all your time, ali your int illet, in short all your life."

Delafield drew himself up very erect. "Anything more " he asked, after a ment's panse

Helen's tender land clasped his arm. longed to whisper-" Be careful,"

mo-

Slie

Reberes Rawlinson had also lixud her eye on his face. If ever eyes spoke hers did at that potent, and they seemed to convey the same message that could be read in Helen's eyes. For a wonder only in a more intense degree. Olga was so intently-looking at Delafield him. Halt, so

eagerly devouring each emotion on his face, that she did not notice Rebecca Olga's heart had been stirred as it had never been

atirid before.

I will viu fiat man.) she sait to hel£ He shall be mine, Helenuntiary him. He in the first man' who has ever mos d me, and he shall be nine. She shall give him

up.

She came forward now and spoke softly.

We must persuade you for your own good,” she said.There is nothing so very terrible in what we ask. My father bus the catiss of the oppressed of Kussin at his heart. He has so long been at xiens to release the prisoners, to cut off the friters from the slaves, that he for- gets himself at times. What we ask of you is simply that you should be in a position to help Helen Lamsdale in her own trying hours of novitiate. In short that you should put your self in such a position that, a few days you may be able to make her your wife. then protect her ud at the same time do re good.

You can

Is true that you woull mar y me, Helen?' id Delafield, and he turned and gave her a look which made Olga feel inclined to kill Helen on the sput.

"They all say that I may marry you if you will embrace the tenets of op" Order," who said.

"And those?"

I will read you the rules for the novitiatės,' said Kristofski, coming forward at that moment. "Or rather, Count Sacri will read them to you. Count Sacri, it is your tufu to speak to this Will you tell him what is require 1 young man. of him."

Conut Sacri, with the inimitable grace which always characterized him, now walked down the length of the room and stond opposite to Dela field.

Le vid at once.

Our aim and objeul is to liberate Russia," We don't care for the existing government. We want perhaps a Merarchy, perhaps a Republic, with laws of our own. We seek liberty for the poor mau, and we seek that justice should be done to rich and poor alike. There are many orders in this land for the promotion of such sets. We who belong to these separate orders all adhere to one thing, to defy then secret police of Russia, and to fake the consequences should arrest or imprison. ment be our portion. All we ask of you, Marine Delafielt. is that you will take our vows, which will be frly explained to you by one of our special craft, with the neat three days, and that under no cireunestuces, not even vnder the most deadly torture, will you rever! the fact that you know a single one of or secrets, for the principal vow of the members of the Legion of the Black Ribbon is that they keep secret from all the rest of the world the fact that they belong to this most secret of all secret cociation.

"And if I refuse?" said Murice Delafield, I am an Englishmen. What if I refuse?"

Then I am afraid, my man-it is scarcely a pleasant thing to have to tell you," said Kris lofski, "but if you refuse wo are under the unpleasant-necessity of killing you."

Delafield felt himself trrning white.

That would be only in a very extreme case." said Olga, speaking in that low melodious voice wbiel seamed to have been born within lur afresh

that evening.

Boleces Rawlinson came a step neprer, It was her turn now to fix ber eyes ou Olga's face, und this time Olga met her gaze.

The remote possibility of death is a mis take," said Kristofski. If Maurice Dele field refuses to take the necessary vows to-night, ho will die before the morning."

"Come, Helen, be a true Englishwoman,"

We bare a few minutes together, and you and Farer could, never wou d brook dishonour."

He led her through the open doorway, the door closed softly behind them. They wore. alone in a small room off the principal stret chamber of the Order of the Black Kibbon.

CHAPTER XVIII.

Halon and Delfield had not been thres

minu's alone before the door was opened and Rebecca Rawlinson can in. She came towards them with the swift and noiseless tread which characterised her in moments of great excite- went.

Dr. Delafiel," she said, speaking in English, end in a low rapid voice, there is not a moment to loss. I am determined to save you. You Hayes my life. In return I will save yours. There is a way in which I believe I can do it. You nust give me the possession of that drug which you used on board the Arethree when you brought me back to life."

"That dag!" said Delafield starting. "You have some more of it, have you not " "Yet I have some in my medicine chest."

I want some of it immediately. Where is your medicine chest? Your life is counted by minutes, so be quick in raplying."

Delafield told her where she could lay her hand on it.

Bas the drug is very deadly," he said. "One drop too much of it means death will not save my own fe by killing another. Do you understand

"I do not want you to. There will be no merder committed. But give me the use of four malicine chest. I have got ne drug so potant in my pharmacopeis, although I have no man knowledge of medicine for a woman who has never been certified as a physician."

You will find the medicins chest where I The have told you," replied Delatteid at once, hottle that you seek is marked with three crosses on the label round the neck. Three drops-in a wine-glass of water is an ordinary dose, but there is the possibility of using even four drops The medicine is giving to the ordinary patients slowly at intervals of a quarter of an hour each Am I doing right in entrusting you with this?*

You are; and now be prepared, both of you.

I shall be back again before the three-quarters of an hour are up. If by any chanes I am pre vented, have no fear, Maurico Desteld. If you are still analterably determined to fing your life away, and to leave this young lady in the most dangerous and awful position in which any girl could be found, you will have to submit to the be blindfolded and will be led out again up. Becret staircus. You will be taken up a few stops, and then, when the man who leads you up pauses, prepare to wrestle for your life with The step on which all your might and main. you stand will be exceedingly narrow, but in the wall to your left is an iron ring, put there on purpose, for victims, befors now, a struggled for their lives on that step. Get hold of the iron ring before the man who leads you has time to grasp it. It may be possible, for I am doing my utmost to raake it so, that he will not be quits as capable of fighting as you, at that supreme moment. He means to push you over into the deep flowing Neva, inte a well of black, unfathomable water, which legend says his no bottom that has yet ever been discovered. It will be your tarn to push him down that dread descent. Remember, it is your us and only chance, and do not hesitate. It in a life for a life, and the man is bad to the core. Now un- derstand that what I have said to you mean- ab, what I can never utter to myself, tortures indescribable, so appalling that the fortress of St. Peter and Paul, and the goans of the prisoners therein, are as child's play to it. But I don't hesitate, for I shall save your life, and I want you to save her life."

Here Rebecca pointed to Helen.

"I tell you nothing more, hat you must not hesitate. You must fling your victim down into the Nern, as he means to fing you, and you will do it if you clasp the ring arst. After. wards stand up against the wall and wait for me. Do not fear."

Rebecca's rapid words filled her listeners with a dull sense of horror. Helen could scarcely comprehend.

Treachery!

What is this?" she cried. Death Torture! Ob, I can't bear it."

"You must make her baave, sir," said Rebecca, turning to Delafield with a glanes of pity, You have the courage of a man, and she has the strength of the bravest of women. But she is not cruel, she is not a tigress like the Countess Olga. Now indeed I have spoken."

"You have!" cried Helen. Oh, Rawlin-

zon

But before she could approach the woman- Rawlinson had vanished into the other room, leaving the couple alone to gaze at each other at Brst in deadly fear. Then Helen finng her- self into her lover's arms and burst into tears, which really saved her reason. As for Dels- field, all he felt was this-

"I will fight for Helen to the bitter and. T will do exactly what Rawlinson told me to do. I will have no pity, I will not spare. A life

It was cold and rusty, but she kua it was strong, and would not give, even if the tussie between the two men turned out to be

Gavėre.

Then, with a pleased smile she pushed apon door which led to the library. The room was empty with the exception of Conat Sheri, who was pacing up and down at the farther end. His face was deadly pale and his dark eyes were glittering. When he saw Rebeces he came eagerly up to her.

Well, he said, have you seen them, these foole of Engish people, that man se werk 29

water, and that woman as beautiful as God makes them. Listen to me, Hawlinson. I want the man to die, and I want to make the woman my wife."

Rawlinson could scarcely restrain the laugh which rose to her lips.

Yon are a very bold man, Connt," she said for you are engaged to another woman, an beautifu. Too good for Count Sacri." Englishwoman too, and she is fair and good end

Too goal for me laughed the count. You say very bold things, Rebecca."

I do to you. Count, for I have no fear of Fou," answered Rebecca.

I believe you." replied the Count with a short laugh. But all the same you are in my Power

"And you are in mine," she retorted. Wa are each in the power of the other, we who. belong to the Order of the Black Ribbon."

Yes,

muttered tha Count between his teeth. I could have joined a bigger Secret Society, bolder, less feeble. We are always shifting our tactics. We are never saro, of or selves. We re great, but we are not great enough.

Olga is great enough to be at the head of the most trible society on earth," was Rebecca's responss.

I agree with you in that," said Count Sauri. There was a time when I admed the Countess Kristofski's daughter. In fact I was one of her so heavy, so lacking in arimations, so nagracious, many victims. But somehow, the taste for one so wanting in the more delicate attributes, palls on a man, and that time has gone by. Besides, she never loved me. She meant me, long ago, to give myself to that insipid Miss whom they call Templeton. Now there is out one beat the warmer in my breast for her; nor is ther one quickening of my nature in her direction. But that young lady whom they call Lurasdal, the girl whom they want to marry Maurice Delafield to-I could love her, I want ber, and I mesa to have her. Sacri has very seldom been refused his earnest wishes, and my prossut wish is to secure Helen Lurascals to be my wife, her fortune to ho my fortune and she and I to take the lead in the Society of the Black Ribbon. You see I can

"What do poa propose Rawlinson You have always been our best adviser.”

I propose that you should become his exe- cutioner.

Indeed! And why?"

1

I

It seems worth it to secure the fair Halen. would take you to her immediately afterwards you will only do just what I require.""-

Will you indeed? And do you think she will yield to my entreaties F

if

Fear makes woman do a good dest. She will-probably be forced to make the best of a bad job.

Ha ha! You are not too fattering." "In a moment like this. Cenat, one must speak the truth,"

And I don't really mind how I get her, as long as I do get her," said the Conet.

The Esg. Well then, your course is plain Fishman will refuse to join the Society. then, according to our orthodox method he is blind. folded and led up the steps. At the eighth step. drop him over. It is bat a pusb. You pa that well-known step where all others end, you for a minat- and your blindfolded victim tumbles down into death and cblivion. Then you wait until I come for you and lead you to Helen.. You break the truth to her. She may not love you at first, but she will submit to your atten- tions rather than die by torture...

I believe you," he said. "I can manage it. Ha! ha! this is quite a moment of excitement."

Now no more words, I must hurry, Connt." Eail Rebecca. "Time presses, and I know you are expected to join Countess Olga and Profee- or Kristolski in the supper room before the. young Englishman is asked to give his decision."

And I am hungry, and what is more. thirsty," said the Count 1 he day is hot."

"Yes, but you won't find it too hot when you stand waiting on the stone step.

"That is quite true. But the ardour of my spirit will sustin me."

And the dying cry of Quite so. Conut. "Ha! No," said the Coast, turning a little green. your victiut will hardly reach your ears."

"But you won't learn me too long in the dark, will you, fair Ra wega?"

"No," said Rebecca, sud she gave an ominous langh and hurried from his side.

THE

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