Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-10-17
CHAPTER XII.

At o'clock in the evening Lucille knock
ed at the door of Lady Carey's suite of
rooms at the hotel. There was no answer.
A chambermaid who was near came smiling
up.
'Miladi has. think. descended for din
ner," she said.
Lucille looked at her watch. She saw
that she was few minutes late, SO she de-
scended to the restaurant. The small table
unoccupied. Lucille told the waiter that
she would wait for a few moments, and
sent for an English newspaper.
Lady Carey did not appear. A quarter of
an hour pasSed.--The head waiter came up
with benign smile.
Madam will please to be served?" he
suggested, with bow.
Il am waiting for my friend Lady Carey"
Lucille answered. II understood that she
had come down. Perhaps you will send
and see If she is In the reading room"
with much pleasure, madam" the man
answered.
In a few minutes he returned.
'Madam's friend was the Lady CareyT'
he asked.
Lucille nodded.
The man was gently troubled.
But, Miladi Carey" he said, ''has left
more than an hour ago."
Left the hotel?' she exclaimed.
But yes, madam" he exclaimed "Miladf
Carey left to catch the boat train at Calais
for England"
ut is impossible" Lucille answered. 1--WE
only arrived at midday"
II will inquire again." the man declared.
But It was in the office that they told
me So"
'"They told you quite correctly" said a
familiar voice. Il have come to take her
place. Countess. l trust that in me you
will recognize an efficient substitute"
1t was the Prince Of Sake Leinitzer who
calmly Saatinp himself OnDOSite TO her
The waiter, with the discretion of his class.
withdrew for a few PAGES and stood await
ing orders Lucille looked across at him in
You here?' she exclaimed, land Muriel
gone? What does this mean?"
The prince leaned forward.
1T MEANS" he said, that after you left
was in torment. 1 felt that you had no
one with you who could be of assistance
supposing the worst happened. Muriel is
all very well, but she is a woman, and she
has no diplomacy, no resource. I felt, Luz
ellie, that 1 should not be happy unless I
myself saw you into safety"
$50 you followed us here" Lucille re-
marked quietly.
Exactly! You do not blame me. It was
for your sake-as we'll as my own
And Muriel-why has she left me with
out farewell-without warning of any sort?"
The prince smiled and stroked his fair
mustache.
WELL" he said, at is rather an awk-
ward thing for me to explain, but to tell
you the truth, Muriel was a lttle-more
than a little-annoyed at my coming. She
has no right to be, but-well, you know.
she is what you call a monopolist. She and
1 have been friends for many years"
wished to convey" Lucille said. ''But what
I do not understand are the exact reasons
which brought you here
The prince took up the carte de jour.
las we dine" he said, II will tell you.
You will permit me to order?"
Lucille rose to her feet.
For, yourself. certainly" she answered.
''As for me, I have accepted no invitation
to dine with you. nor do I propose to do So"
The prince frowned.
BE reasonable. Lucille" he pleaded. II
must talk with you. There are important
say to you. Sit down.
Lucille looked across at him with Gu
rious smile upon her lips.
You have good deal to say to me?" she
remarked. Yes. 1 will believe that But
Of the truth how much, wonder?'
by and by he said, you will Judge
me differently. For hors d'oeuvres what do
Pardon me- she Interrupted, II am not
interested in your dinner.' a..
I'm our dinner" he ventured gently.
II am not dining with you," she declared
firmly. 'If you insist upon remaining here
I shall have something served in my room.
You know quite well that we are certain to
be recognized. One would imagine that this
was a deliberate attempt on your part to
compromise me-.
Lucille" he said, do not. be foolish!
Why do you persist in treating me as
though I were your prosecutor"
Because you are" she said coolly.
1T Is ridiculous he declared. You are
in the most serious danger and have come
only to save you. I can do it, and 1 will.
But listen-not unless you change your de-
meanor toward me-"
She laughed scornfully. She had risen to
her feet now, and he was perforce COM
PEELED to follow her example.
us that challenger" she asked
You may take it as such If you WILL" he
answered, with note Of sullenness in his
tone. You know very well that have but
to lift my finger and the gendarmes will be
here. Yes, we will call it challenge. All