Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-06-30

the street by st. Martins Church. she pass
ed the National Gallery at the same swift
walk: and neither looking to the right nor
to the left she made straight for PaH Mall
and the Carlton Hotel there At the FIRST
hazard. Count Odin believed that this was
her destination. q fact which puzzled him
out a glance at its doors and going on up
the Haymarket. turned suddenly into one
OF the little courts there and was instantly
lost to his view. In his turn. he recognised
the place at glance, and as though both
relieved and enlightened stood moment
upon the pavement to debate the situation.
&c. he said to himself. my lady lie an
actress-or would 1t be chorus girif
WELL we shall soon find that out.
He strolied up the narrow alley, and, COM
ing to a broad double door OF wood. saw
written above Ii In big red letters. STAGE
DOOR," and on a bell below. the words
"Carlton Theater." The comparative quiet
of the scene, the few people about and the
darkness OF the passages beyond the door
told him that rehearsal was in progress
and not an actual performance. When he
read the bin Of the play, affixed to dirty
board he learned that on the following
Wednesday evening, at $50 precisely, Mr..
Charles lizard would present Eta Rom
ney in the new play 'Haddon Hall, by
Constant Hayter. Not much of playgoer,
though a recognized frequenter of those
houses devoted to musical comedy, the count
asked himself IL he had ever heard the
name or Eta Romney before. He could not
remember to have done so-but, while he
stood there the stage doorkeeper came
out to smoke q pipe in the alley, and to
him the count addressed himself with that
disregard of diplomatic approach which is
a habit of the dubious adventurer.
1.-THE young lady who just went in-1
think she is friend of mine.
"Ah," said the stage doorkeeper, without
taking his pipe from his lips.
IF you could tell me her name l would
send in my card"
mo doubt you would" said the stage
doorkeeper
Nonplussed. the count began a little
viciousiy TO tumble in his trousers ponket.
NO good" said the stage doorkeeper, an
ticipating the offer and then brldling up
as he recognized the kind of man he had
to do with, he exclaimed peremptorily
Come, it's time you went home to din
ner, amt 1t; you look hungry enough"
II was going to give you five shillings,"
said the count.
you keep 'em for your poor old mother
in the workhouse" said the stage door
keeper, and he went within and slammed
the doors-a hint that even Count Odin
could not mistake
Far from being disturbed at this honest
rebuff. the. count, with an adventures
ready resource, strolled round to the front
of the theater and consulted the playbills
there the off-chance that one of them
would enlighten him. The box office was
closed at this hour, but framed photographs
OF the company engaged for the new play,
''Haddon Hail." decorated the pillars of
the vestibule; while a large picture, full
length and conspicuousy displayed pre-
sented'' the heroine Miss Eta Romney,
to such of the curious as should care to
take their stand before 1t. Hardly had the
count glanced at the photograph when he
recognized the original of II to be the young
girl whom he had just left at the stage
door.
''Forrester's daughter, beyond doubt"
said he.
He waited for no more. but called cab
and drove to the telegraph Office in Water
loo place. Thence he sent q long telegram
to Bucharest. 1t was vague in its terms,
and would have been understood by none
but the person who read it.
Tracked down." 1t said; lam remaining
here"