Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1907-02-09


a short laugh that Chlcote had heard
once or twice before. and. crossing
the room, be stood beside his Wis
itor. After ALL" he said. what busi-
ness have I with pride. straight or
lame7 Have my identity. n you want
Il. When an defenses have been
broken down one barrier won't save
the town" Laughing again. he laid
his hand on the others arm. Come"
he said, give your orders. capitu-
late"
An hour later the two men passed
from Loder's bedroom. where the final
arrangements had been completed.
back into the sitting room. Loder
came first en- faultless evening dress.
His hair was carefully brushed. the
clothes he wore fitted him perfectly.
To any glance. critical or casual. he
was the man who had mounted the
stairs and entered the rooms earlier
IN the evening Chilcote's manner OF
walking and p0ise OF the head seemed
+ 20 have descended upon him with Chill
cote's clothes. He came into the room
hastily and PASSED 90 the desk.
Il have no private papers" he said.
so / have nothing 20 lock up. Every.
thing can stand as il is 4 woman
named Robins comes In the mornings
20 clean MP and light the fire: other
wise YOU must shift for yourself. No
body VIII disturb you Quiet. dead
quiet is about the one thing you can
count on"
Chilcote. half hating In the door
way made an attempt % laugh OF
the two he was noticcably the more
embarrassed. In Lodcr's well worn.
well brushed tweed suit he felt strand.
1 cd on his own personality. bereft FOR
/ the moment OF the familiar accessories
I that helped to cloak deficiencies aud
I Keen the wheel OF convoutiouallty com
/ fortoOiy rolling. lie stood unpleasant.
/ ly conscious OF himself. unable O.
shape his sensations even I'm thought
( He glanced at the Gre. az the table
/ finally az the chair on which he had
! thrown his ovcrcoat before entering
the bedroom At the sight OF the coat
his gaze frightened. the aimlcssness
forsook him. and lac gave an exclama-
ton OF relief
by Jove" he said L clean for
got"
"whatY' 1oder looked fund.
"The rings" He crossed 10 the coat
and thrust his hand into the pocket.
"The duplicates arrived only this after
/ nOon-thc nick OF time. ehY' lie spoke
fast. his fingers searching busily. Oc-
/ cupation OF any kind came as a boon.
] Z nInr ernrrrfr- f.rr,r,-.H r.f--,
I the box was brought 10 light he leaned
forward intcrestedly.
AS I told you one is the COPY OF an
old slcnet ring. the other n plain band
"A plain sold band like wedding
ring" Chilcote laughed as he placed
the four rings side 10y side on his
palm. Il could think OF nothing else
that would be wide and not ostenta-
tious. You know how I detest dis
play"
Loder touched the rings. "You have
good taste" he said Lets see n
they serve their purpose" He picked
them up and carried them TO the lamp.
Chllcote followed him. THAT was
an ugly wound" he said. his curiosity
I reawakening as Loder extended his
finger. How did you come by itY"
The other smiled. ITS a memento."
he said.
"Of bravery"
''No; quite the reverse" He look ed
again at his hand. then glanced back
at Chllcote NO" he repeated. with
an unusual impulse OF confidence. 1T
serves to remind me that ! am not ex-
empt-that l have been fooled like
other men"
THAT implies n womanY
"Yes" Again LOder looked at the
scar on his finger. Il seldom recall the
thing. it's so absolutely past. But 1
rather like 10 remember Il tonight.
rather want you TO know that I've been
through the tire. It's a sort OF guaran-
tee"
Chilcote made a hasty gesture. but
the other Interrupted it.
ooh. know you trust me. But you're
giving me a risky post. / want you to
see that women are out OF my line
quite out of H."
But. my dear chap
Loder went on without needing.
This thing happened eight years ago
81 e1AtAAt1otAA@AAts Alt calAAs "A lAlllt
between Luna and PistOria-a mere
handful OF houses wedged between two
hills; a regular relic of old Italy crum-
bling away under flowers and sunshine,
with nothing TO suggest the present
century except the occasional passing
OF train round the base Of one Of the
hills. had literally stumbled upon the
| place on a long tramp south from
] Switzerland and had been tempted into
/ stay at the little inn. The night after
my arrival something unusual occur
red. There was an accident TO the
train at the point where it skirted the
village.
There was a small excitement. All
the inha bitants were anxious 60 help.
and took my share. AS a matter OF
fact, the smash was not disastrous:
the passengers were hurt and fright
ened. but nobody was killed"
lie paused and looked at his compan-
ion; but. seeing him interested. went
on.
rhooo -