Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-10-08
By E. Phillips Oppenheim,


| for the possibility of mistake. I know
the truth already
You will share your knowledge?' Mr..
Sabin asked quietly.
The detective shook his head.
You shall know" he said. before the
last moment. But want to warn you that
when you do know tit WILL be shock to
you.
Mr.. sabin stood perfectly still for several
moments. This little man believed what
he was saying. He was certainly deceived.
Yet none the less Mr.. Sabin was thought
full.
You do not feel inclined" he said slow
ly Ito give me your entire confidence"
Not at present. SIR" the man answered.
| You would certainly intervene, and my
case would be spoiled"
Mr.. Sabin glanced at the clock.
II you care to call on me tomorrow"
he said. Il could perhaps show you some
The detective bowed.
Il am always open. SIR" he said. ito
conviction. will come about IL o'clock
Mr.. Sabin went back to the palm lounge
Lucille and Reginald Brott were sitting to-
gether at a small table, talking earnestly
to one another. The prince and Lady
Carey had Joined another party who were
all talking together the entrance.
The latter. directly she them coming,
detached herself from them and came to
him.
Your coffee Is almost cold.' she said
but the prince has found some brandy OF
wonderful age, somewhere in the last CEN
fury. 1 believe"
Mr.. sabin glanced toward Lucille. She
and had not noticed his approach. Lady
Carey shrugged her shoulders.
You have only few minutes" she said
before that dreadful person comes and
frowns us all out. 1 have kept you a
i CHAIR
Mr.. Sabin sat down. Lady Carey Inter-
posed herself between him and the small
table at which Lucille was sitting
Have thew discovered apythinuo" ahe
asked.
"Nothingr' Mr. Sabin answered.
She played with her fan for moment.
Then she looked him steadily in the face.
My friend!'
He glanced toward her.
Lady Careyr'
claimed in low. passionate whisper. Il
want to be your friend. and I could be
very useful to you. Yet you keep me al
mistake Indeed you are. I suppose you
do not trust me. Yet reflect! Have ever
told you anything that was not true? Have
| ever tried to deceive you? 1 don't pre-
tend to be paragon Of the virtues. I
live my life to please myself. 1 admit 1t.
Why not? 1t is simply applying the same
sort of philosophy to my life you have
plenty to say about me-but never that I
have been false to a friend. Why do you
keep me always at arms length. as though
I were one of those who wished you evil?''
| not affect to misunderstood you, and am
f1attered that you should consider my good
Will of any Importance. But you are the
friend of the Prince of SAKE Lelnitzer. You
are one of those even now who are work
Ing actively against me. 1 am not blam-
ing you. but we are on opposite Sides"
Lady Carey looked for a moment across
at the prince. and her eyes were full of
venom.
IF you knew" she murmured. how I
| ioathe that man. Friends That is all
long since past. Nothing would give me
| so much pleasure as never to see his face
again.
Nevertheless" Mr.. Sabin reminded her,
whatever your private feelings may be-
he has claims upon You which you cannot
resist"
There is one thing in the world" she
said in low tone. for which 1 would risk
| even the abnegation Of those claims
You would perjure your honor"
"Yes-if 1t came to that"
Mr.. Sabin moved uneasily in his chair.
The woman was In earnest. She offered
him an invaluable alliance: she could show
the inimical combination by which he was
surrounded. If only he could compromise.
But her eyes were seeking his eagerly,
You doubt me STILL she whispered
And 1 thought that you had genius LIS
ten L VIII prove myself. The prince has
one of his foolish passions for Lucille
You know that. So far she has shown her
self able to resist his destinations. He is
trying other means. Lucille Is in danger!
Duson!-but after all. I was never really
in danger, except the time when I carried
the dispatches for the colonel and rode
straight into a Boer ambush
Mr.. Sabfn saw nothing but he did not
move a muscle of his face. A moment later
they heard the princes voice from behind
them.
Il am very sorry" he said. "to interrupt
these interesting "reminiscences, but you
see that every one is going. Lucille is al
ready in the cloak room"
Lady Carey rose at once. but the glance
she threw at the prince was a singularl
malicious one. They walked down the car
peted way together, and Lady Carey left
them without word. In the vestibule
Mr.. Sabin and Reginald Brott came face to
face.
CTo be continued tomorrow