The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1907-09-05

tIouane, decided to let the suit-caso
! look after itself and send down for 1t
| with the key from the hotel later.
| Again the little man was close to my
| side as + went In search of cab, for
all his things had been gone through
/ by the custom house officer In mid
4 channel. SO that he, too, was free to
depart without delay. He even seemed
| to cling to me, somewhat wistfully, and
l half thought lie meant to speak. but
/ he did not, save for good evening,
SIR" as / separated myself from him
at last. He had stuck rather too close
elbow to elbow; but ] had no fear for
the letter-case, as he was on the wrong
side to play any conjurer's tricks with
that. The last saw of the fellow lie
] was engaging a cab. and looking UNI
easily over his shoulder at his two lato
travelling companions. who were get
ting into another vehicle near by.
/ went straight to the Elysee Palace
| Hotel where I had never stopped be-
fore--a long drive from the Care du
Nord--and claimed the rooms for which
j MIR. George Sanford" had wired from
London. The suite engaged was
charming one, and the private salon
almost worthy to receive the lovely
4 lady / expected. Nor did she keep me
waiting. / had had time only to give
instructions about sending man Win
n key TO the station for my luggage.
to say that a lady would call. to reacn
my rooms. and to draw the curtains
over the windows. wien knock came
at the salon door. / was In the act OF
turning on the electric light when this
happened. but to my surprise the room
remained In darkness--or rather, In
mink dusk lent by the color OF the cur
tains.
THE lady has arrived, Monsieur an
nounced the servant. AS Monsieur
expected her, she has come up without
waiting: but I regret that something
has gone wrong with the electricity
all over the hotel. 1t was but just now
discovered. at time for turning on the
lights. otherwise lamps and plenty of
candles would have peen provided.
though no doubt the light will
fonctionne properly In a few minutes.
II Monsieur permits, 1 will Instantly
bring him lamp.
NO thank YOU" l said hurriedly. for
did not wish to be Interrupted in
the midst of my important interview
with Maxine. 'If the light comes on.
Il 1t will be all right; If not, will put
!, back the curtains: and 1t Is not yet
quite dark. Show the lady in"
= Into the pink twilight of the cur
I, tained room came Maxine de Renzie.
: nized in its plain, close-ittng uiack
Z, dress, though her wide brimmed hat
e was draped with thickly embroidered
4 veil that completely hid her face while
q long. graceful lace folds fell over and
:, obscured the bright auburn OF her
: hair.
"one moment" said. LET me push
!. the curtains back. The electricity has
t failed
mo, no." she answered. "Better leave
q them as they are. The lights may
u come on and we be seen from out
II side Why" as she drew nearer
& to me and the servant closed the Goor.
IL thought recognized that voice! 1t
10 Is Ivor Dundas."
n mo other" said T. Didn't the
Sc weren't you warned who would be the
$. man to Gomez"
/ NO" she replied. "Only the assumed
II name of the messenger and place OF
g. meeting were wired. 1t was safer so
~ even though the telegram was in q
" cipher, which / trust nobody knows
IL except myself and one other. But Tn
glad--glad It's you. 1t was clever Of
y, him. to have sent you. No one woult
III dream that--no one would think Il
IL strange IL they knew Gas / hope the!
u won't) that you came to Paris to see
le me Oh, the relief that you're go
ID through safely! Nothing has happened
ne You have-the paper2"
:" "Nothing had happened. and I ffav,
ne the paper," I reassured her. mo ad
=. ventures. to speak of. on the way, anl
40 no reason to think I've been spotted
o. Anyway. here am; and here Is some
thing which will put an erd 10 you
u anxiety" And ] tapped the breast 0
y, my coat. meaningly.
~ "Thank God" breathed Maxine. witt
m a thrilling note in her voice whic
~. would have done her great credit o.
70 the stage. though I am sure she wa
Ia never further In her life from tn
r. suffered, it seems to cmfwypcmtWy
= thought of acting. After all ~
suffered, it seems too good to pc true
Give 1t to me, quick. Ivor, and let m
Va 60"
II WILL said. But you might seer
~ to take just little moro interest,"
So. me, even IL you don't really feel y
~ YOU know. You might just say, hoN
Sic have you been for the last t"elv
ed months?'
it, "oh, I do take an interest, and II
ag grateful to you'll can't tell you no0'
no grateful. But have no time 10 thli'
ed either Of you or myself now she sai'
Sc, eagerly. IF you knew everythlhi
ITO you'd understand"
.ea 81 know practically nothing, COZ
ny fessed, '.stll do understand. wy
only teasing you. Forgive M ~.
NY oughtn't to have done IT, even ~.
oat minute Here is the letter-case VIZ
-. the Foreign-which was giYeh - =
,an to bring to you.
re- To he Continued To-Morrow &
ing