Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1907-03-30
CHAPTER XVI

- tween Grosvenor square and
Clihord's inn. He left Chilcote's house
hastily-with a haste that only an ur.
gent motive could have driven him 20
adopt His steps were quick and IN
even as he traversed the intervening
streets; bis shoulders lacked their de-
cisive pose. aud his pale face was
marked with shadows beneath the
eyes-ShadOws that bore witness TO the
sleepleSs night spent in pacing Chill
cote's vast and lonely room. BY the
curious effect Of circumstances the
likeness between the two men had
never been more significantly marked
than on that morning or April 10
when LOder walked along the pave
ments crowded with early workers
and brisk with insistent news vendors
already alive 20 the value OF last
nights political crisis.
The irony OF this last element In the
days concerns came 10 him fully when
one newsboy. more energetic than his
fellows. thrust paper in front OF him.
Sensation In the 'ouse. sir Speech
by Mr.. Chilcote, Government defeatv'
For moment Loder stopped and his
face Redeemed The tide OF emotions
still ran strong. His hand went in-
stinctively 20 his pocket. then his lips
set He shook his head and walked on.
With the same hard expression about
his mouth. he turned into Clinord's
inn. passed through his own doorway
and mounted the stairs.
This time there was no milk can on
the threshold OF his rooms aud the door
yielded tO his pressure without the
need Of a key. With a strange sensa-
ton OF reluctance he walked into the
narrow passage and paused. uncertain
which room 90 enter hrst. As be stood
heSitaung n voice from the sitting
room settled the question.
who's theret" il called irritably
What DO you wautf"
Without further ceremony the in
truder pushed the door open aad en-
tered the room. As DE did so he drew
quick Observation-Disclosures OF dlsappoint-
ment or relief it was impossible 20 say.
Whether he had hoped for or dreaded
II. Chilcote was conscious.
As Loder entered ne was sitting by
the cherries CRATE. the ashes Of yes
terday's Gre showing charred and
dreary where the sun touched them.
His back was 10 the light. and about
his shoulders was an old plaid rug
Behind him on the table stood a cup
a teapot and the can OF milk. farther
of kettle was set % boil upon
tiny spirit stove
In an strong situations we are more
or less commonplace. Lodcr's first re-
mark as be glanced round the disor.
dered room seemed strangely iuef.
fcient.
where's Eobinsf" he asked Ia
brusque voice His mind tcemed with
big considerations. yet this was his
hrst Involuntary question
Chncote had started at the entrance
OF his visitor; now he sat STARING 40
him. his hands holding the arms OF bis
chair.
Where's Robins Loder asked
again
Il don't know. She l. We d.
not hit it OF. She's gone-went yes
terday." He shivered and drew the
Jug about him.
"ChilcOte'- LOder BEGAN STORMY
Then he paused. There YVES sometaiu
In the others look and attitude thetI
arrested him. A change of eyr~essio
passed over his own face. Ee t.--a
about with an ar~Urt gesture 0r1c
OF his cont aud t'-ew Il on 20 a.. .ir.
then. crs. .r.- .'r'-. ...-.. -.,'- t, -',a r..
place. he began 10 rake the ashes from
the CRATE
Within few minutes he had a fire
cracking where the bed OF dead Gin
ders had been, and, having finished the
task. he rose slowly from his knees.
wiped his hands and crossed TO the Ia
bic. On the small spirit stove the ket
tie had boiled. and the cover was lift
Ing and falling with a tnkling sound.
Blowing ont the fame. Loder picked
up the teapot and with hands that
were evidently accustomed 10 the task.
set about making the tea.
During the whole operation he never
spoke. though ali the while he was
fully conscious OF Chilcote's puzzled
gaze. The tea ready. be poured IL into
the cup and carried it across the room.
Drink this" he said laconically.
The fire will be up presently"
Chilcote extended a cold and shaky
hand. you see he began.
But Loder checked kim almost saw
agely. Il dO-as well as though 1 bad
followed you from Piccadilly last night.
You've been hanging about. God knows
where, till the small hours OF the morn
ing; then you've come baek-slunk
ok, starving for your internal poison
and shivering with cold. You've set
tied the first part OF the business, but
the cold has still TO be reckoned with.
Drink the tea. I've something TO say
TO you" He mastered his vehemence
and, walking 10 the window, stood
looking down into the court. His eyes
were blank. his face hard: his ears
heard nothing but the faint sound OF
Chiicote's swallowing. the click OF the
cup against his teeth.
For time that seemed interminabIe
he stood motOnless; then, when he
Judged the tea finished. he turned
slowly. ChilcOte had drawn closer IN