The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1903-08-22

n WAS walking up Pail Mall my way home from
the foreign office, where I had just got my orders
to start for Balnoral at 10 o'clock that night when
i met Lady Greytown's stepson. Sidney Weir. 1t
was because of the relationship stopped. I didn't
like Sidney Weir, but I liked Lady Greytown, and
very much more than liked Lady Greytown's niece
He looked surprised to see me- and not too well
pleased; yet pulled himself up short in quick
walk with certain eagerness. "Huo Gordon" he
exclaimed. Thought you were Russia or somewhere
Understood Sir Edward to say you had gone."
ST got back fortnight ago." said Eve been with
my own people in Dorsetshre since yesterday. What
do you hear from Lady Greytown and Miss Loveland?"
Zone can't keep track of you kings messengers re-
turned Weir, airily. my stepmother all right
thanks, heard Miss Loveland
to have been turning heads at Vienna according to all
accounts believe there's some talk of marriage with
princelet She'd make charming princess, wouldn't
she? My stepmother would like it. fancy Wonder she
condescended to marry viscount! American
the best of them, and she is one-have
weakness for princes What are you doing tonight by
the way?"
I'm going out Of town for some days." said II
leave about 1o'
"Ah, you're your to own place now,
Junior Carlton, know close by-and dine. Not nee
essary to dress of course you leave SO soon We'd
have something to eat early There lots of things
should like to talk about"
Thanks" I replied you're very kind but I'm
afraid I must home haven't too much time
er-Iye an engagement for dinner"
Weir looked suddenly interested, and his face flushed
up little for which could not UNDER
stand I'm sorry for that, he said 1T would have
been like old times to talk with You'll have
the midst of dinner, tho, won't
catch 10 o'clock train?"
"It doesn't matter" returned. my engagement
Is only to dine with man at his club This not
precisely an untruth; but the man myself and the
club my own. get of Weir. One piece
of had heard from him had suddenly untitled
for any society except my
"Wel, must hope to get hold of you when come
back town. said he. Meanwhile, if you don't mind,
TIL walk with you far your place"
did mind, but I could not say Instead
sponded with decent civty and walked together
had fiat in Sayie-roW with married couple as valet
and cook. On the way there Weir seemed anxious to
make himself agreeable, asked after fathers health,
whether he'd got hold of any good frst editions Chat
sort of thing fad with father), and finally
pinned the conversation to the subject books
father sent anything interesting lately?
toned two three somewhat volumes which
been slipped into luggage when left Dorsetshire
other day, in the hope of improving my taste,
Immediately asked if would lend him one. He had,
he assured been trying in vain get hold Of it.
said yes, and in wit me
and take the book away.
I had the top fiat the house in savile-row. TAFT
and his wife had had leave to be until evening
would be back by at latest. wanted
ues to that hour. opened the door with my key,
the floor number of letters which had been
pushed in by the janitor
Weir them too, and I gave way him to
pass into the little vesbue before me- swooped
hastily and picked them THAT yours
in form yet for STOPPING dear fellow he said
just gather up this correspondence you
lay it somewhere in your sitting room"
movement quick flash O. light but
my quicker still. On top of the mass
respondence" he called it. letter
Lady Greytown's handwriting the stamp was
Austrian but English. At sight that envelope
heart thu1np against side, and instantly
mind caught at some underground connection
between Sidney Weir's extraordinary
my society His methods since he and and his elder
brother Lord Greytown, had each other
my sur1nses tunneling into darkness and if
possible tricky little plot of his before it
could reach its goal Unfortunately my object my
mind was not of the same order as his was used to