The Aberdeen Democrat. (Aberdeen, South Dakota) 1???-1909, 1905-02-24
61s Sewers
By
HENRY SETON MERRIMAN
Couyrieht, 1885, BY Harper & Brothers
VI.
Copyright, 1885, by Harper s Brothers

IAOl1 luIllolS. SohiS VI
in the habit of stating that London i:
the hub of Europe and the Talleyrant
smoking room its grease box. Certain
Is it that such men as Claude de ChauX
vile. as Karl Steinmetz and a hundred
others who are or have been politica
scene shutters, are to be found in tbs
Talleyrand rooms.
The atmosphere is ~viyacious with the
light sound of many foreign tongues
It bristles with the ephemeral impor
lance Of cheap titles. One never knows
whether ones neighbor is an ornament
to the Almanach de Gotha OF q dis
grace to a degenerate colony OF refu-
gees.
Some are plain messieurs, senores or
herren. bluff foreigners with upright
hair and melancholy eyes. who put up
phIosophically with a cheaper brand
Of cigar than their souls love, Among
the latter may be classed Karl Stein
metz, the bluffest of the bluff, innocent
even Of his own innocence.
Karl Steinmetz in due course reached
England and in natural sequence the
smoking room Of the Talleyrand.
He was there one evening after an
excellent dinner taken with humorous
resignation. smoking the largest cigar
the waiter could supply. when Claude
de Chauxville happened to have moth
ing better or nothing worst to do.
De Chau1ville looked through the
glass door for so1ne seconds, then he
twisted his wa1ed mustache and
Iounged in. Steinmetz was alone in the
room, and De Chauxville was evident
II almost obviously unaware Of his
presence. He went to the table and
proceeded to search in vain for a news
paper that interested him. He raised
his Eyes casually and met the quiet
gaze of Karl Steinmez.
You in London?'
Steinmen nodded gravely.
Yes" he repeated.
zone never knows where n has
you" Claude de Chauxvilie went on.
seating himself in a deep armchair.
newspaper in hand. You are a bird Of
passage"
"A little heavy on the wing now"
said Steinmetz-
he laid his newspaper down on his
stout knees and looked at De Chau1-
vile over his gold eyeglasses. He did
not attempt to conceal the fact that he
was wondering what this man wanted
with him. The baron seemed to be
wondering what object Steinmetz had
in view in getting stout. He suspected
some motive in the obesity.
"Ah" he said ~deprecatingly. That
u nothing. Time leaves its mark upon
Ill of us. 1t was not yesterday that
We were in Petersburg together"
NO" answered Steinmetz. 1T was
before the German empire-many years
ago"
De Chauxville counted back with his
slim fingers on the Enthusiastically
innocent.
YES" he said, the years seem to fly
in coveys. Do you ever see any of our
friends Of that time-you who are in
Russiaf"
"Who were u friends of that time?'
parted Steinmetz, polishing his glasses
With a silk handkerchief. MY mem
ory is a broken reed. You remember
For q moment Claude de Chau1ville
me- the full, quiet gray eyes.
YES" he said significantly, 81 re-
member. Well. for instance. Prince
Dawof:"
Dead. 1 never see him. thank heay-
en-
The princess"
II see. She keeps q gambling
house in Paris"
THE Count Lanovitch," pursued De
Chauxyille-.'where is he:'
"Banished for his connection with
the Charity league"
"Catrina?'
"Catrina is living in the province of
TTer. We are neighbors-she and her
mother, the countess
De Chau1ville nodded. None of the
details really interested him. His in
difference was obvious.
"Ah, the Countess Lanoyitch," he
said rehectively-'she was q foolish
woman"
"And is,
"And-er-the Sydney Bamborouehs."
said the FNnchman, as if the name
had almost left his memory.
Karl Steinmez lazily stretched out
his arm and took up the Morning Post,
He unfolded the sheet slowly, and. hav.
Ing found what he sought. he read
aloud:
His excellency the Roumanian am.
oassador gave a select dinner party al
4 Craven Gardens yesterday. Among
me guests were the Baron de Chaux.
vile, Feneer Pasha, Lord and Lad,
etandover, Mrs. Sydney Marlborough
and Others"
Steinmez threw the paper dow,
and leaned back in his chair.
$50. my dear friend" he said, sit Il
probable that you know more abou
the Sydney Bamboroughs than I do"
II Claude de Chauxville was discon
certed he certainly did not show it
His was q face eminently calculated t,
oncea whatever thought or feelin,
might be passing through his mind
Or an even white complexion, yergin:
on %pastiness. he was handsome in
certain s%tatuesque way. His feature.
were always composed and dignided
His hair, thin and straight, was neve
ont Of orSjor hrS oro. -. -