Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1906-10-27

preSSe. For instance, / never knew
another attempt 60 tame a fer-ue-
| lance"
'It seemed TO me-" observed. that
she had as many possibilities as the
| snake"
He laughed lightly.
"F0r evil. you mean7 That's merely
the effect OF the FIRST view. Really, the
| capresse girls have an excellent repu-
tation for docility aud all the rest. Not
| that IL would matter much IN Merit
nique-the people there are used to
living over "a volcano and don't mind.
or course" he added IN another tone.
Il shall before long have TO break
IL or. Society here is differently or
ganized-diderent climates, different
morals, you know; feel that must
conform 10 it. Indeed, even wish TO
do so. Il is time that I settled down.
ranged myself. became man OF
family. 1 have been a wanderer long
enough Cecily can't endure this eli
mate anyway. III send her back 10
ST. Pierre"
what will she say to tbatT" I asked.
with a vivid memory Of the adoring
Wt-- AANA - - UAN = uWNli upon MN.
"Nou think IL sounds little brutalg"
and he smiled gayly. 1T isn't. in the
least You've put Ceclly on too high
pedestal They have an axiom down
there, Nee de ramour, Ia ille de cou-
leur nit d'amour. de rireS. et d'oubIis'-
her life is a thing OF love. laughter
and forgettings. think it's essentially
true. At the same time" he added
more seriously. Il doa't wish TO be
needlessly cruel That's the reason I'm
telling you all this. It's a sort Of intro
duction"
"Ah.' said. and looked at him.
I'll blurt IL out IN q word. I'll be
out OF town next week-au week-mv
business demands it-and It's absurd
for me 20 think OF taking Cecily with
me - it's absolutely impossible - #
would ruin the whole affair What I
want 70 ask YOU is thls-look In on
her occasionally. cheer her up. take
her 90 the theater IL you'u be SO good.
She knows no one here. and she has
a ridiculous need OF companionshlp. or
chattcriug 90 some one. OF having some
one 90 admire her. It's born IN the
blood. I suppose. it's an inheritance
from two centuries OF ancestors. Left
TO herself. she'll soon NOPE herself sick.
VIII you do this for me. my friendT-
There was a compelling wizardrv i'm
his eyes asshc looked at me. vet had
self control enough 20 pause and reflect.
still. / saw no reason why should re-
fuse, even had my own inclination not
greatly urged me forward. Here
would Dee an opportunity TO uuveu such
secrets OF his as Cccily might know
especially rs Go where they had been
ou the evening OF the murder. Per
haps she even knew the victim: could
give me clew 90 the connection be-
tween him aud Trcmaine. n such a
connection existed. There were unlimit-
ed possibilities. And yet a feeling Of
shame held me back. To take advan-
tage ia this way OF a man who trusted
me. against whom there was nothing
but the merest. most intangible sus-
picion-
looked up and met his intent gaze.
you were rchecting3' he said.
Merely that IL Is n delicate trust.
I'm not at all unwilling TO undertake IL.
only
Again De misuaderstood again he
did not wait for me 20 finish. IL was
the only weakness I ever detected in
hlm-he made false step that could
never be retraced
only you are flesh and blood. YOU
would sHyf" and he shot me a smile
which illumined as a lightning fash
the depths OF his character. ION that
score. do not worry. I beg OF you.
am not OF Jealous disposition. shall
not
A knock NJ the door Interrupted him
or ! might have answered IN way
that would have wrecked GOdfrey's
plan forever. flung the door open
and saw Higgins standing there.
"A call at tn telephone fer you. Mr.
Lester" he said.
Excuse me. please" I called over
my shoulder TO Tremaine. and strobe
down the hall after the Janltor.
1t was Mr.. Royce who wanted me;
he had been called suddenly out OF
town and wished 10 give me some in-
structions for the next day. Our con
versatsOn lasted perhaps five minutes:
then l hung up the receiver and mount
ed 10 my rooms With "A hand not
wholly steady. l opened the door. Ire
maine was sitting In the chair where
had left him and was just lighting
another cigarette.
He arose with n smile as came in.
Il must he going" he said. And
you viii keep an eye on Cecily?
Yes. III be glad 10. Good night" /
answered. and closed the door.
AS / turned Godfrey walked calmly
out OF the bedroom.
What do you think OF himT ]
tsked
Il think" said Godfrey slowly, that
he's one OF the most cOnsummate
scoundrels l ever had to deal with.
However. Wen unmask him. He's let
ting us into his citadel"
did he sit still while / Was away?'
"NOt for an instant. / was sure he
wouldn't. Therefore as soon as
caught Higgins errand 1 dived behind
your raincOat Luckily it's long