Waterbury evening Democrat., 1906-11-14
e. Ms =0 .MASQUERADER| Dy Katherine Cecil Thurston,
 Authes of The Circle" Etc. Copyvt0ht 1908, 1aol, by HdyperG G Byothers
CHAPTER xxvIII.
Copws0hs, 1908, 1sol. by HarperA < Brother,

s Ccprt0ht 1908, 1904, by Hdsper4 4 Byothers < &asss>sSSsSssssssSsSSsSSSSS
 CHAPTER xxvIII.
 E ODER'S plan of action was ar
 rived at before he reached
 Trafalgar square. The facts
 of the case were simple. Chil- cote had left an discriminating telegram on the bureau in the morning room at
 Grosvenor square. By an unlucky chance Lillian Astrupp had been shown up into that room, where she had re- mained alone until the moment that Eve, either by request or by accident, had found her there. The facts re- solved themselves, into one question: What use had Lillian made of those solitary moments? Without deviation, Loder's mind turned toward one answer. Lillian was not the woman to lose an opportunity, whether the space at her command was long or short.
 So convinced was he that, reaching Trafalgar square, he stopped and hailed hanson.
 .'Cadogan gardensr' he called. "No. B."
 The moments seemed very few be- fore the cab drew up beside the curb and he caught his second glimpse of the enameled door with its silver fit- tings. Instantly he pressed the bell the door was opened by Lillian's discreet, deferential manservant
 'Is Lady Astrupp at homew he asked.
 The man looked thoughtful. Her ladyship lunched at home, sir"- he be- gan cautiously.
 But Loder interrupted him. Ask her to see me-" he said laconically.
 The servant expressed no surprise His only comment was to throw the door wide.
 If you'll walt in the white room, air" he said, "I'll inform her ladyship." Chilcote was evidently a frequent and . favored visitor.
 In this manner Loder for the second time entered the house so unfamiliar and yet So familiar in all that it sug. gested. Entering the drawing room, he had leisure to look about him. It was . beautiful room, large and lofty. Lux ury was evident on every hand, but 1t was not the luxury that pals or of fendA Each object was graceful and possessed its own intrinsic value. The atmosphere was too effeminate to ap- peal to him, but he acknowledged the taste and artistic delicacy 1t conveyed. Almost at the moment of acknowledg- ment the door opened to admit Lillian.
 'I thought it would be you," she said enigmatically.
 Loder came forward. You expected meY he said guardedly. A sudden conviction filled him that 1t was not the evidence of her eyes. but something at once subtler and more definite that prompted her recognition of him. She smiled. Why should I expect you? On the contrary, I'm waiting to know why you're here?"
 He was silent for an instant. Then he answered in her own light tone. "As far as that goes," he said, Tets make it my duty call-having dined with you. I'm an old fashioned per son."
 For full second she surveyed him amusedly. Then at last she spoke. My dear Jack"-she laid particular stress on the name-T never imagined you punctilious. I should have thought bohemian would have been more the word"
 Loder felt disconcerted and annoyed. Either, like himself. she was fishing for Information or, she was deliberately playing with him. In his perplexity he glanced across the room toward the fireplace.
 Lillian saw the look. Wont you sit | down" she said. indicating the couch. 'I promise not to make you smoke. I shan't even ask you to take off your glovesr'
 Loder made no movement. His mind was unpleasantly upset. It was nearly . fortnight since he had seen Lillian, and in the interval her attitude had changed, and the change puzzled him. It might mean the philosophy of a wo- man who. knowing herself without ade- quate weapons, withdraws from a con- bat that has proved fruitless. or it might imply the merely catlike desire to toy with a certainty. He looked quickly at the delicate face. the green eyes somewhat obliquely set. the unre- liable mouth. and instantly he inclined to the latter theory. The conviction that she possessed the telegram filled him suddenly. and with 1t came the de- sire to put his belief to the test-to know beyond question whether her smiling unconcern meant malice or mere entertainment
 "when you first came into the room." be said quietly. you said I thought if would be you Why did you say that? Again she smIled-the smile that might be malicious or might be merely 'Oh.- she answered at last. T only meant that though I had been old Jack Chilcote wanted me. it wasn't lack Chilcote expected to seer After her statement there was pause. Loder's position was difficult convinced that. strong in he possession of her proof. she was en- oying his tantslized discomfort. he yet { 'ravesl the actual evidence that should A. {