Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1901-06-15

that l no longer represent my family?
Legally I'm not even member of 1t.
1t is possible that you ought to address
yourself to Lady Tristram-my cousin-or
to her lawyers"
Il have to speak to YOU Is the name OF
the Comtesse d'Albreville known to you,
Mr.. Tristram?"
Yes. I've heard my mother speak OF
meeting her in Paris"
You are aware that later-after he part
ed from Lady Tristram-my brother went
to Russia. where he had business inter-
eStS?"
Harry smiled at Mr.. Neeld, who had ap-
parently got all he could out of his papers
and was sitting quiet and upright in an
eager attention.
What am about to say Is known. be-
lieve, to myself alone-and to Neeid hare,
to whom 1 told it tonight. While my
brother was In Russia he Joined by the
comtesse. She paid him visit-secretly.
L need hardly add. She passed under the
name Of Nine. WALTER, and she resided In
the house adjoining Randolph's.- When he
one Of his Russian properties. She was
brilliant woman-she died. by the way, two
or three years ago-but extravagant and
fond OF money She prevailed on my
brother to promise her the price Of this
property as gift. The sum was consd-
cradle, about $1,000
Harry nodded. Here seemed to be some
possible light on the reasons for the in
terview.
This money was to be paid-in golden
certain day. speak now from informa-
ton impaired to me subsequently by the
comtesse herself. 1t was given under a
promise Of secrecy which have kept hith-
erto. but now find myself compelled in hon
esty to break"
There can be no question Of what Is
your duty, Edge" Mr.. Neeld put in
Il think none. My brother during his
illness discussed the matter with the COM
Jesse. The money was payable in Peters,
burg. He could not hope to be we'll enough
to go there. At her suggestion he signed
a paper. authorizing payment to be made to
her or to an agent appointed by her The
money being destined for her ultimately,
this naturally seemed the best arrange
ment She could go and receive the money
or send for tt-as fact she went in person
tied"
not appear on the face of Sir Randolph's
accounts or bank books" Harry suggested.
It's possible that weight was given to
that cor consid Ter too. but it is not very
session of this authority. My brothers
illness took turn for the worse. To be
brief. he died before the day came on
which the money was to be paid
And she presented the authority all the
did she?"
THAT is precisely the course she ADOPT
ed" assented Colonel Edge.
Harry took walk up and down tho
room and returned to the hearth rug.
I'm very sensible Of your kindness in
coming here today" he said, land your
conduct Is that Of man of honor But at
this point III stop you. please. I'm aware
that prima facie the law would pronounce
me to be Sir Randolph's son. That has al
ways been disclaimed on our side, and
could easily be disproved on yours. 1 have
nothing to 40 with Sir Randolph Edge or
his property.
The colonel listened unmoyed.
In any case you would have nothing to
DO with my my, brothers property. he re-
constituted sole legatee"
you?" e.
Certainly; and three years later she
Then how In the world does 1t concern
me! cried Harry impatiently
You put your finger on the spot, Mr.
Iristram, but you took 1t off again. You
said she presented thu authority all the
same" ~
We'll, yes. The authority would be re-
Xoked by his death. At least I suppose
there's no question Of that? Did she eet at
them before they heard of the death?"
This money was payable on June 22-the
10Th as it's recokened in Russia-but we
M NEEDN'T trouble ha. about that. AS you and
brother fell into a collapse which was mis-
Yes, the 18TH" murmured Neeld, refer
ring 10 the paper Derore him. and reading
Josiah an, Cholderton's account Of what Nine.
dc krles mad told him at Heidelberg.
From that attack he rallied temporarily
put not until his death had been reported"
Il am not the man to forget that circum-
stance" said Harry
THE report of his death was. of course,
contradicted Immediately. The doctor at
tending him saw to that"
Naturally; and I suppose the comtesse
would see to 1t, too"
And the only Importance that the oc-
currence Of the 18th has for us at present
Is that, according to the comtesse's story,
1t suggested to the doctor the course which
sne. on his prompting, as she declared. and
certainly with his connivance. afterward
adopted. My brother, having rallied from
his first collapse. kept up the fight a little
while longer. 1t was. however, plain to the
doctor that he could live but a very short