Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1896-08-06
TRAGEDY OF A WEEK
BY E. Phillips oppenheim.


two men passed was only dimly light
ed, and Lord Marlborough, though ne
looked about him curiously, was moi
able to see anything OF his surround
ings. They passed along 1t without
pause, and Mr.. Massinger led the way
UP two fights of stairs and along
passage to what seemed TO be the
rear OF the building, A swing door
opened before them, and Lord Harbor-
ough, taken altogether by surprise, ut
tered little exclamation of wonder.
They had passed in an instant anf
without any preparation from gloomy
and depressing darkness into a warm
end brilliantly lighted chamber OF
most singular appearance. For the
first time since entering the place he
spoke turning toward his guide In a
bewildermcnt which he did not attempt
TO conceal.
where OH earth are we?' he ex-
claimed. rs this private house, Or q
club or what?'
Mr.. Masslnger laughed softly
1T is chapter from the Arabian
Nights of modern London" he an
swered. "Dynock," he added, looking
down the room our friend here
wants 10 know whether this is a club.
What do you say?'
A tall, slim man rose from an arm
chair at the other end Of the room and
turned to greet them Lord Harbor-
ough recognized him with surprise.
Something of the sort, | suppose,
he answered nonehalantly. How
dye, do Marlborough Tolerably we'll
housed, aren't we, for such gloomy pes
smists as we profess to be?'
Lord Marlborough took advantage OF
the remark TO glance around him. The
appointments OF the chamber were at
once odd ana magnificent, they were al
together and inevitably depressing
The walls were wainscoted with ether
genuine or clever initiation of black
oak, leaving only q narrow band Of
deep sage green between the top OF the
wainscot and the ceiling Every piece
of furniture H. the room, handsome
enough In It's way, was OF the same
color, jet black. The carpet was OF
thick black felt, and ut the upper end
of the apartment was dining table
covered with a profusion OF tastefully
arranged glass and silver upon a black
table cloth There were about half a
dozen men In the room all wearing
black ties with their evening clothes,
and mostly lounging in easy chairs, up
holstered in black leather
Lord Marlborough glanced from ono
to the other Of them with eyer-increas-
ing surprise There was not one whose
face was not perfectly familiar to him
A distinguished barrister was drink
Ing black coffee aud reading the Times
in the chair directly opposite to him
A man of letters, whose fame as an es.
sayist and novelist was almost unsur-
passed, was writing at a small table
In a recess, The man called Dynock
was connection OF his own and Il peer
of the realm. lie had been deep in
conversation with cabinet minister
Yes yen are comfortably housed
enough, Lord Marlborough said, after
brief pause. but you WIN excuse me
If don't altogether admire your style
OF decoration
1T is a little trying until you're used
to f. Lord Dynock admitted Il never
found stranger admire II YET Have
glass of wine and a cigar
He poured ont a glass OF champagne
from bottle which stood by his side.
waiter in immaculate black livery
glided from the lower end OF the room
9
cigars. Lord Marlborough accepted
both, emptyng the glass before he put
1t down.
II Your cooking IS as good us your
Wine he remarked to Massnger, who
was standing by his side. this is the
best club in London May | ask what
you call Yourselves"
Mr. Massineer ana Lord Dynock ex-
changed swift glances
He has passed his word. the
former said
IN that ease we Will tell YOU pres
emily, Lord nNnock said First hear
our motto. Ii is Mors cum dignitate
Death with dignity. Lord uarbor-
ough repeated Il do not understand.
Naturally you do not, Dynock nm
swercd The question Isl are YOU suf
tieiently interested to desire an explain
alton Massinger
4 brought lord Marlborough here not
rs casual visitor but ia answer t. i
challenge Of ills own, Nlr Massinger
interrupted u wish him 10 know
everything
And also desire to know every
thing, Lord Marlborough added, firmly.
Dynock raped Oh Tie table ~ his
side with silver pencil and looked
around the room
Gentlemen he said quietly I'VE
have stranger here properly intro
duced ana for whose honor myself can
answer, He desires Is know some
thing of us VIII any of you enlighten
him."
There was ro Immediate response.
The barrister laid down hs paper and
yawned
Go ahead yourself. Dynock. he said
- DOls ohm IN and ,,sagI 44a,,, .,,9t<s,.