Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1907-02-14

ring and plain gold one"
Loder moved his hand imperceptibly
till the cushion covered it. Lillian's
words caused him no surprise, scarcely
even any trepidation. He felt now
that he had e. ected them. even wait
ed for them, all along.
II asked him to take OF his rings"
she went on, "and just for a second he
hesitated-I could feel him hesitate.
Then he seemed to have made up his
mind. for be dt ew them off. He drew
them off, Jack, and guess what sawl
Do guessr'
For the first time Loder involuntari-
~ drew back into his corner Of the
couch. Il never guess he said
brusquely.
s.Then I'll tell you. His hands were
the hands of my Englishman! The
rings covered the scar made by Ko
Kos teeth. knew it instantly-the
second my eyes rested on it. It was
the same scar that had bound up
! dozens Of times, that had seen healed
before left Santasalare.'
4And you? What did you do?' Lo-
der felt it singularly difficult and un-H
pleasant to speak.
ssAh, that's the point. That's where
was stupid and made my mistake.
| | should have spoken to him on the
moment. but | didn't. You know how
one sometimes hesitates Afterward
| it was too late"
'But you saw him afterward-in the
roomsY Loder spoke unwillingly.
mo, l didn't-that's 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 hesi-
tated aud laughed again-"once
| thought / had found him, but it was
only youyou, as you stood in that
| doorway with your mouth and chin
hidden by Leonard Kaine's head.
/ Wasn't it a quaint mistake?"
| There was an uncertain pause. Then
Loder, feeling the need of speech,
broke the silence suddenly. Where
do / come in?" he asked abruptly.
What am l wanted for?''
ITO help to throw light on the mys-
| terry! I'VE seen Blanche's list of peo-
pie and there wasn't man | couldn't
place no outsider ever squeezes
through Blanche's door. have ques-
toned Bobby Blessington, but he can't
remember who came to the tent last.
And Bobby was supposed to have kept
count!'' She spoke in deep scorn, but
| almost Immediately the scorn faded
and she smiled again. Now that I've
explained, jack" she added, what do
| you suggest?'
Then for the first time Loder knew
| what his presence in the room really
| meant, and at best the knowledge was
| disconcerting It is not every day
that a man is called upon to unearth
| himself.
"Suggest?' he repeated blankly.
eyes. I'd rather have your idea of
the affair than anybody else's. You
are so dear and sarcastic and keen
that you can't help getting straight at
| the middle of fact"
| When Lillian wanted anything she
could be very sweet. She suddenly
| dropped her half petulant tone; she
| suddenly ceased to be spoiled child.
| With a perfectly graceful movement
| she drew quite close to Loder and slid
| gently to her knees.
| This is an attitude that few women
can safely assume. 1t requires all the
attributes of youth, suppleness and
certain buoyant ease. But Lillian new
er acted without justification and as
| she leaned toward Loder. her face lift
ed, her slight figure and pale hair soft
ened by the freight, she made pic
| ture that it would have been difficult
| to criticise.
| But the person who should have ap-
preciated it stared steadily beyond it
| to the fire. His mind was absorbed by
one question-the question of how he
might reasonably leave the house be-
fore discovery became assured.
| Lillian. attentively watchful of him,
saw the uneasy look. and her own face
| fell. But, as she looked. an inspiration
came to her-a remembrance of many
| interviews with Chileote smoothed and
| facilitated by the timely use of to-
| bacco.
"Jack," she said softly, before you
say another word insist on your
| lighting a cigarette" She leaned for
ward. resting against his knee.
At her words Loder's eyes left the
fire. His attention was suddenly need
| ed for new and more imminent diff
Guilty. "Thanks!'' he said quickly. +
I have no wish to smoke"
st isn't a matter of what you wish.
but of what | say" She smiled. She
knew that Chilcote with cigarette be-
| tween his lips was Infinitely more trac-
table than Chilcote sitting idle, and she
had no intention Of ignoring the knowl-
edge
But Loder caught at her words. Be
| fore you ordered me to smoke" he said.
ssyou told me to give you some advice.
| Your first command must have prior