Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-09-20
CHAPTER XIV.

,Duson entered the sitting room, noiseless
as ever, with pale, passionless face, the abb
solute prototype Of the perfect French
servant, to whom any expression OF vigor-
Gus life seems to SAVIOR Of presumption. He
carried q small silver salver, on which re-
posed a card.
1.-THE gentleman is in the ante-room, sir, ="
he announced.
Mr.. Sabin took up the card and stud
led it.
Lord Robert Foulkes."
do 1 know this gentleman, Duson?' Mr..
Sabin asked.
mot to my knowledge, sir" the man an
swered.
You must show him in,' Mr.. Sabin said,
with a sigh. "In this country one must
never be rude to lord"
Duson obeyed. Lord Robert Foulkes was
q small young man, very carefully groomeo:
pleasantly at Mr. Sabin and drew of his
gloves.
How do you do Mr.. sabin?" he said.
Don't remember me. I dare say Met you
don. 1 wish 1 could say that 1 was glad
to see you here again"
Mr. Sabin's forehead lost its wrinkle. He
knew where he was now. 80
''Sit down, Lord Robert, ne heggeo;
do not remember you, it is true, but l am
getting an old man. My memory some
times plays me strange tricks"
The young man looked at Mr.. Sabin and
laughed softly. Indeed Mr.. Sabin had
very little the appearance Of an old man.
He was leaning with both hands ciaspeo
upon his stick, his face alert, his eyes
bright and searching.
You carry your years well, Mr. Sapln.
Yet while we are on the subject, do you
know that London is the unhealthiest city
in the world?"
II am always remarkably we'll here Mr..
Sabin said drily.
London has changed since your last
visit" Lord Robert said, with gentle
smile. Believe me if 1 say-as your sim
cere well-wisher-that there is something
in the air at present positively unwhole-
some to you. l am not sure that UNIV hole
some is not too weak a word
us this official?' Mr.. Sabin asked quietly.
The young man fingered the gold chain
which disappeared in his trousers pocket.
Need l introduce MYSELF" he asked.
Quite unnecessary" Mr.. Sabin assured
him.
Permit me to reflect for a few minutes.
Your visit comes upon me as a surprise.
Will you smoke? There are cigarettes at
your elbow"
II am entirely at your service Lord
Robert answered. Thanks, 1 will try one
Of your cigarettes. You were always fam
GUS for your tobacco.
There was a short silence. Mr.. Sabin
had seldom found it more difficult to see
the way before him.
II imagined" he said at last, from sew
eral little incidents which occurred pre-
vious to my leaving New York that my
presence here was regarded as superfiuous.
Do you know L believe that I could con-
vince you to the contrary"
Lord Robert raised his eyebrows
my dear Mr. Sabin," he said, pray re-
feet 1 am a messenger. No more! A
hired commissionaire!'
Mr.. Sabin bowed.
you are an ambassador he said.
The young man shook his head.
You magnify my position" he declared.
my errand Is done when 1 remind you
that 1t is many years since you visited
Paris, that Jenna Is as fascinating a city
beyond. But London-no. London is not
possible for you. After the seventh day
from this London would be worse than
impossible"
Lord Robert" he said, IT have 1 be-
lieve the right OF personal appeal I de-
sire to make 1t"
MY dear sir" he said, the right Of ap-
peal. any right Of any sort, belongs only
to those within the circle
Exactly" Mr.: Sabin agreed. II claim
to belong there"
Lord Roberts shrugged his shoulders
You force me to remind you.' he said
''of certain decree-a decree Of expulsion
passed five years ago, and of which pre-
sumo que nOtlnCdtlOn was given TO you.
Mr. Sabin shook his head very slowly.
IT deny the legality Of that Decree" he
said. There can be no such thing as ex-
pulsion."
There. was LeFanu," Lord Robert muir
INJURED
HE died" Mr.. Sabin answered. THAT
was reasonable enough"
your services had been great Lord
Robert said. land your fault was but
venial."
Nevertheless, Mr.. sabin said, 1.-The one
was logical, the other is not
you claim, then" the young man said,
''to be still within the circle?"
"Certainly!'
"You are aware that this is a very dan
gerous CLAMP
Mr. Sabin smiled, but he said nothing
Lord Roberts FASTENED to excuse himself
IT beg your pardon he said. II should
have known better than to have used such
leave"
Mr.. Sabin rose.