The San Francisco call., 1907-02-17
CHATTER xm
An Accident

comfortable easy chair with an
air OF graceful condescension.
Lady Angela had already seated
herself. 1t was late In the Iafternoon
and Grooton was busy in the room be-
hind. preparing my tea
'sThe Prince did not care TO shoot to-
day." Lady Angela explained. and L
have been showing him the neighbor-
hood. Incidentally. am dying for some
tea aud the Prince has smoked all MS
cigarettes"
The Prince raised his hand in polite
expostu1ation. but he accepted cigar
cite with little sigh OF relief.
you have found very lonely SPOT
for your dwelling house. Mr.. Ducaine."
he said. You English are so fond OF
solitude"
'.rt suits me very wsli," I answered:
"for just now I have great deal OF
work to do. / am safely away from all
distractions here"
Lady Angela smiled at me.
Not quite so safe, perhaps, Mr. Du-
caine, as you fondly imagined" she re-
marked. II am afraid that We disturbed
you. You look awfuIly busy"
She glanced toward my writing
table. It was covered with papers. and
d map OF the southern counties leaned
up against the wall. The Prince also
was glancing curiously In the same di-
rection.
Il have finished my work for the
day" | said. rising. 'ff you will per
init rae, I will put IL away"
Groeton brought in tea. The Prince
was politely curious as to the subject
matter OF those closely written sheets
OF paper.
You are perhaps interested in liter
ature. Mr.. Ducaine." he remarked.
Immensely" I answered, waving my
hand toward my booksheives.
"But you yourself-you no doubt
writer"
"oh, one tries" I answered, pouring
out the tea.
at may be permitted then to wish
you success he remarked dryly.
"You arc very good" I answered.
Lady Angela calmly interposed. The
Prince ate buttsred toast and drank
tea with bland afsectatlon Of enjoy
nent. They rose almost Immediately
afterwaTd.
"You are coming up to the house this
evening, Mr.. Ducaine?' Lady Angela
asked.
'frf you will allow me, will walk back
with you
The Prince touched my arm as Lady
Angela passed out before ue.
81 am anxious. Mr.. Ducaine," he said,
looking me in the face, ''for few min
utes' private conversation with yeu.
shall perhaps be fortunate enough 20
fnd you at home tomorrow"
He did not wait for my answer, for
Lady Angela looked back, and he has
tened to her side. He seemed in no
hurry, however, 70 leave the place.
Tho evening was cloudy and unusually
dark. A north wind was tearing
through the grove OF stunted nrs, and
the roar OF the incoming sea flied the
air with muf1ed thunder. The Prince
looked about him with little grimace.
''It is indeed a lonely spot" he re-
marked. One can imagine anything
happening here. Did I not hear OF a
tragedy only the other day-a man
found dead?'
''1f you have a taste FOR horrors.
Primes" I remarked, you can see the
spot nom the edge OF the cliff here"
The Prince moved eagerly forward.
II disclaim all such weakness" he
said, but the little account which I
read, or did some one tell me OF it,
ah, forget; but il interested me-
I pointed downward to where the
creek-riven marshes merged into the
sands
"It was there-a little to the left OF
the white pslings," I said. THE man
was supposed to have been cast up
from the sea-"
He measured the distance with his
eye. 1 anticipated his remark.
'The tide is only half way up now,
I said, and on that particular night
there was a terrible gale"
'sNevertheless," he murmured, half to
himself. .'it is q long way. Was the
man what you call identified, Mr..
Ducaine?''
mo"
There were no letters or papers
found Upon him?'
None"
The Prince looked at me sharply.
That he said softly, was strange.
Does Il not suggest to you that he may
have been robbed?"
at had not thought Of it, 1 answered.
found drowned"
"Found drowned the Prince re-
peated. "Ah. Found drowned. BY
the By" he added suddenly, who did
find hirn?'
.I did" I said cooliy.
Your The Prince peered at me
closely through the dim light. That
he said reffectively, els interesting"
"You find It SO interesting" 1 re-
marked. "that perhaps YOU could help
to solve the question Of the mans iden-
tity.'
He seemed startled.
"I?' he exclaimed. But. no. Why
should you think that?s
I turned to Lady Angela. He did
not Immediately follow.
why did you bring him. I asked
her seftiy. "rou had some reason"
"Tfe was making inquiries about
you" she answered, secretly and
openly. I thought you ought to know.
and ! could think OF no other way OF
putting you on your guard"
The Prince OF Malorsr' 1 murmured.
He surely would not stooD to Dlay the
spy
She was silent, and moved a
step or two farther away from
the spot where he still stood as
though absorbed. His angular fig
ure was clearly defined through the
twilight against the empty background
of space. FTe was on the very edge OF
the cliff, almost looking over.
II know very little about him my
Salf >, II "a Il h1,r.r.io. ..t,.,t L.a... I.