Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-12-21
CHAPTER VIII.

touched his hat. Bennington lay back In
side the hanson abstractedly, smoking a
cigarette that he had lighted His bronzed
face was unusually pale and thoughtful; it
was evident that he felt himself on no or
binary errand. though the situation APP
peared to be perfectly prosaic. One does
not usually attach romantic interest to a
well-dressed military man in a hanson cab
during broad daylight in London. But Ber-
rington could have told otherwise.
Poor little girl he muttered to himself.
Sad as her fate Is did not think 1t was
quite sad this. We must do some
thing to save her. What a fortunate thing
it is that l have always had a love for the
study of underground human nature, and
that should have found out so much that
appears only normal to the average eye.
That innocent patch of salt in the shape OF
on my long leave and have plenty of
time on my hands. My dear little gray
lady, even your affairs must remain in
allegiance for the present"
The drive promised to be a long one. for
nalf London seemed to have been traversed
before the cabman looked down through the
little peep hole and asked for instructions,
the hanson in front had stopped.
THE gentleman inside is getting out. sir, :"
he said. Hes stopped at the corner
house"
go by it at walk Bennington COM
manded. land see what house our man en-
tiers. After that 1 will tell you exactly
what to do, driver. Only be careful as to
the right house.
The cab pulled up at length once more,
and the house was indicated. Bennington
proceeded a little further. and then sent his
own driver away rejoicing. a sovereign the
richer for his task Turning up his collar
and pulling down his hat, Bennington re-
traced his steps.
He was enabled to take pretty good stock
of the house Richford had entered. and
without exciting suspicion. because there
ty4a to- Ct Of thn nod
and seats beneath them. 1t was fairly
open part of London, with detached houses
on the one side looking on to a kind of park.
They We're expensive houses Bennington de-
cided, houses that could not have been less
than two hundred and fifty year They
looked prosperous with their marble steps
and Conservatives on the right side of the
wide doorways: there were good gardens
behind and Easements. Bennington
could see, too, by the hanging opals in the
upper windows that these houses had cleo
trio lights.
This is unusual very unusual indeed
Remington muttered to himself. he sat
as If tired one of the seats under the
trees. The gentry who cultivate the doc
trine that has for its cult piece of salt in
the shape of bullet, don't as rule IA
vor desirable family mansions like these.
Still, fortune might have favored one of
them. No. 100 Audley place. And No. 100
is the recognized number of the clan. By
the way. where am II"
passing policeman was in a position to
answer the question. Audley place was
somewhat at the back of Wordsworth COM
mon, so that 1t was really good way out
of town. The policeman was friendly,
mainly owing to the fact that he was an
old soldier, and that he recognized Berring-
ton as an officer immedia tely. He was full
Of information too.
MOSTLY rich city gents live in Audley
place. sir" he said. There is one colonel
too-Col. Foley of the East Shropshire Reg
iment."
AN old college chum and messmate of
mine" Bennington said. II followed Col.
Foley in the command of that very regi-
ment. What house does he live in?''
81 hats No. IA, sir" the delighted officer
grinned. Excuse the liberty sir but you
must be Col Bennington. sir. l was with
you all through the first Egyptian cam
paign."
Bennington blessed his own good fortune
Here was the very thing that he wanted
We'll fight our battles over again some
other day he said 81 am pretty sure
that shall see great deal more of YOU
by the way. what is your name? Macklin.
Thank you. Now tell me something as to
who lives yonder at No. 100 1 am not ask
Ing out of idle curiosity.
II can't tell you the gentleman's name,
sir" Mackln replied. But l can find out.
The people have not been there very long
A few good servants, but no men, no ladies
so far as l can tell. and the master what
you might call confirmed invalid. Goes
about in a bath chair which he hires from
regular keeper of this class of thing. Not
very old gent. but you can't quite tell see
Ing that he is muffied up to his eyes. Very
pale and feeble he looks
Bennington muttered something to himself
and his eyebrows contracted. Evidently he
was good deal puzzled by what he had
heard
That is very strange" re said very
strange indeed. 1 will not disguise from
you. Macklin. that / have a very strong
reason for wishing to know everything
about No. 100 Audley place. Keep your
eyes open and CLEAN all the information you
possibly can. Talk to the servants and try
to pump them. And write to me as soon as
you have found out anything worth send
ing. Here is my card. l shall do good
by staying here any longer at present"
The policeman touched his helmet and
strobe on his way Bennington strolled
trees till he had left Audley place behind
him. Once clear OF the terrace he called a
cab and was whirled back to town again
Meanwhile, absolutely unconscious of the
fact that he was being so closely shadowed
Richford had been driven out Wandsworth
way. He did not look in the least like
modern millionaire of good health and en-
viable prospects he drove along His
moody face was pale his lips trembled his
eyes were red and bloodshot with the
brandy that he had been drinking The
hand that controlled the market so fire.
quently shook strangely as Richford pressed
the bell of No. 100 Audley place There
was no suggestion of tragedy or mystery
about the neat parlormaid who opened the
Mr.. Sartoris desires TO see me-" Rich
ford said He sent me a messenger-a
message to the Royal Palace Hotel. VIII
you please tell him l am here"
The neat parlormaiu opened the drawing
room door and ushered Richford in. 1t
was big room looking on the street, but
there was nothing about it TO give the place
the least touch of originality. The furni-
ture was neat and substantial, as might
have befitted the residence of prosperous
city man. the pictures were by well-known
artists, the carpet gave to the feet like
moss. There was nothing here to cause
Richford to turn pale, and his lips to culver
lie paced up and down the room uneasly,
starting at every sound until the maid re-
turned and asked IL the gentleman would
be good enough to step this way. Richford
followed down passage leading to the
back of the house into a room that gave on
TO a great conservatory. 1t was a fine
room, most exquisitely furnished: flowers
were everywhere, the big dome rooted con-
servatory was vast baze of them. The
room was so warm. too that Richford felt
the moisture coming out on his face. BY
the fire figure sat huddled up in a great
invalid chair.
so you have come" thin voice said.