The Richmond palladium. (Richmond, Ind.) 1906-1907, 1906-11-01

prised:" he said why should l be
surprised? One person more or less al
a big party isn't astonishing. Besides
you expect q man to turn up sooner or
later in his own country. Why should
1 be Surprised"
She lay back luxuriously. Because
my dear boy" she said softly, lit is a
mystery, It's one of those fascinating
mysteries that come once in a life
time
Loder made no movement You
must explain" he said very quietly.
Lillian smiled. That's just what
want to do. When / was In my tent
on the night of Blanche's party, a man
came to be gazed for. He came just
like anybody else and laid his hands
upon the table. He had strong, thin
hands like-well, rather like yours.
But he wore two rings on the third fin
ger of his left hand-a heavy signet
ring and plain gold one"
Loder moved his hand imperceptibly
till the cushion covered 1t. Lillian's
words caused him no surprise, scarcely
even any trepidation. He felt now
that he had expected them. even wait
Ell IOF tIc1l, ali dlOuR.
81 asked him to take of his rings
she went on, land just for second he
hesitated-I could feel him hesitate.
Then he seemed to have made up his
mind, for he drew them off He drew
them of, Jack. and guess what l saw!
Do guess
For the first time Loder involuntari-
ly drew back into his corner of the
couch. II never guess" he said
brusqueiy.
''Then I'll tell you. His hands were
the hands of my Englishman! The
rings covered the scar made by Ko
Kos teeth. l knew it instantly-the
second my eyes rested on It, 1t was
the same scar that l had bound up
dozens Of times, that had seen healed
before l left SantasaIare."
And you? What did you doT Lo-
der felt 1t singulariy difficult and un-
pleasant to speak.
"Ah, that's the point. That's where
l was stupid and made my mistake.
should have spoken to him on the
but / didn't. You know how
one sometimes hesitates. Afterward
1t was too late"
but you saw him afterward--in the
Loder spoke unwillingly.
NO. l didn't-thats the other point
didn't see him in the rooms. and |
haven't seen him since. Directly he
was gone l left the tent pretended
to be hungry and bored--but, though
went through every room, he was no.
where to be found. Once"-she hest
tated and laughed again-"once
thought / had found him, but it was
only you-you. as you stood in that
doorway with your mouth and chin
hidden by Leonard Kaine's head.
Wasn't it quaint mistaken"
There was an uncertain pause. Then
Loder, feeling the need of speech,
broke the silence suddenly. Where
10 / come IMP he asked abruptly.
What am wanted for!'
ITO help to throw. light on the mys-
cry. I've seen Blanche's list of peo-
lie, and there wasn't a man l couldn't
olace no outsider ever squeezes
through Bianche's door l have ques-
Toned Bobby Blessington, but he can't
And Bobby was supposed to have kept
CUNT" She spoke in deep scorn. but
Utmost Immediately the scorn faded
md she smiled again. NOW that I've
explained. Jack" she added. what do
'ou suggest"
Then for the first time Loder knew
What his presence in the room really
meant. and at best the knowledge was
1t is not every day
hat a man is called upon to unearth |
himself.
"Suggest?' he repeated blankly
Yes. I'd rather have your idea Of |
he affair than anybody else's. You /
re SO dear and sarcastic and keen /
hat you can't help getting straight at
he middle of fact
When Lillian wanted anything she /
ould be very sweet. She suddenly I
ropped her half petulant tone; she
ceased to be a spoiled child.
With a perfectly graceful movement |
he drew quite close to Loder and slid
emily to her knees.
This is an attitude that few women
an safely assume. 1t requires all the
tributes of youth, suppleness and a
ertain buoyant ease. But Lillian new
r acted without justification and as
ne leaned toward Loder, her face lift
i, her slight figure and pale hair soft
ned by the freight. she made a pic
Ire that it would have been difficult
, criticise.
But the person who should have ap-
reciated it stared steadily beyond it
, the fire. His mind was absorbed by
ae questionable question of how he
light reasonably leave the house be-
,re discovery became assured. +
Lillian, attentively watchful OF him,
wv the uneasy look, and her own face
III. But, as she looked. an inspiration
lme to her-a remembrance of many
terviews with Chilcote smoothed and
lcilitated by the timely use of to-
lcco.
Jack" she said softly, before you
y another word ! insist on your
citing a cigarette She leaned for
ard. resting against his knee.
At her words Loder's eyes left the
e. His attention was suddenly need
for a new and more imminent diff
lily. Thanks he said quickly. Il
hi no vriSh RI SrnoEo -