Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-09-15
THE POWERS AND MAXINE.

was impressed at first glance by the clever
face of the dark. thin Frenchman who po-
litely babe welcome. 1t was cunning.
as well as clever. no doubt. but then. l
told myself, it was the business OF person
in Monsieur Girard's profession to be cum
ming.
I introduced myself as Mr.. Sandford. the
name l had been told to give at the Elysee
Palace Hotel. This seemed best. as it was
in the hotel that had been recommended
to Monsieur Girard. and complications
might arise If George Sanford suddenly
turned into Ivor Dundas. Besides, there
were a good many things which I did not
want brought to light. Sandford seemed
the man to fit the situation. Later he
could easily disappear and leave no trace.
l said that had been robbed of thing
which was of immense value to me. but as
1t was the gift of a lady whose name must
not on any account appear in the case, l
did not wish to consult the police. All 1
asked Of Monsieur Girard's well-known
ability was the discovery OF the supposed
thief. whom 1 thereupon described.
added the fact that we had travelled to-
gether, mentioned the incident at the gang
way. and explained that I had not sus-
pected my loss until arrived at the Elysee
Palace Hotel.
Girard listened quietly, evidently realizing
that l talked to him from behind screen
of reserve, yet not seeking to force me to
put aside that screen He asked several
Intelligent questions, very much to the
point. and 1 answered them-as seemed
best. When he touched on points which 1
considered too delicate to be handled by a
stranger even detective In my employ, /
frankly replied that they had nothing to do
with the case in hand. Struggling his
shoulders almost imperceptbly. yet ex-
presSively. he took my refuSalS without
comment. and merely bowed when l said
that if the scoundrel could be unearthed
hundred pounds: T. within twelve. hun
>t&Fed and fifty: If within six. two hundred
1 added that there was not a second to
waste. as the fellow might slip out of Paris
at any minute, but whatever happened
Monsieur Girard was to keep the matter
quiet.
The detective promised to do his best
(Which was said to be very good, held out
hopes of success and assured me of his dis
erection. On the whole l was pleased with
him. He looked like a man who thorough
ly knew his business, and had it not been
for the solemn warning of the foreign Sec
rotary and the risk for Maxine. I would
gladly have put more efficient weapons in
Girard's hands by telling him everything.
By the time that the detective had been
primed with such facts and details as 1
could give it was past 10 o'clock. l could
see my way to do nothing more for the
moment and as l was half famished. L
whiZzed back In my hired automobile to the
Elysee Palace Hotel. There l had food
served in my own sitting room. lest George
Sanford should chance inconvenently
the restaurant. l did not hurry over the
meal. for all I wanted now was to arrive
at Maxine de Renzie's house at 70 O'Clock,
and tell her my news-or lack Of news. She
would be there waiting for me, l was sure.
no matter how prompt 1 might be. for
though. in ordinary circumstances. after
the first performance of a new play either
Maxine would have gone out to supper or
invited guests to sup with her. she would
have accepted no invitation. given none, for
tonight. She would hurry out of the
theater. probably without waiting to re-
move her stage makeup, and she would
go home unaccompanied, except by her
maid.
Maxine lives in a charming. little. old
fashioned house. set back in it's own gar
den. a great find in a good quarter of
Paris and her house could be reached in
ten minutes drive from my hotel. 1 would
not go as far as the gate. but would dis
miss my cab at the corner of the quiet
street. as 1t would not be wise to advertise
the fact that Mademoiselle de Renzie was
receiving visit from a young man at mid
night Fifteen minutes would give
plenty of time for all this; therefore, al
about quarter to twelve l started to go
downstairs. and in the entrance hall almost
ran against the last person on earth l ex-
pected to see-Diana Forrest.
She was not alone. of course, but for
second or two | saw no one else. There
other except her precious and
beautiful face In the world. and for wild
instant 1 asked myself If she had come here
to see me. to take back all her cruel words
of misunderstanding and to take me back
also. But it was only for an instant-a
very mad instant.
Then 1 realized that she couldn't have
known ! was to be at the Elysee Palace
Hotel, and that even if she had. she would
not have dreamed Of coming to me. AS
common sense swept my brain clear / saw
near the precious and beautiful face other
faces-Lady Mountstuart's. Lord Mount
stuartS. Lisa Drummonds and Bob Vests
They were all in evening dress. the ladies
in charming wraps. which appeared to con-
slst mostly of lace and chiffon. and evil
IDENTIFY they had just come into the hotel
from some place of amusement. The beau
tful face, which had been pale. grew rosy
at sight of me. though whether with
amazement or anger, or both. 1 couldn't
tell. Lisa smiled. looking more impish even
than usual: but it was plain that the
others. Lord Mountstuart among them,
were surprised to me here.
Goodness, is 1t you your ghost?" ex-
claimed Lady Mountstuart. in the soft &C
cents of California, which have never
changed in spite of the long years OF her
married life in England.
II 1t had been my ghost it would have