The Lake County times. [volume] (Hammond, Ind.) 1906-1933, 1907-01-16
CHAPTER XVIII.

IL Trafalgar square. The facts
of the case were simple. Chill
cote had left an discriminating telegram
on the bureau in the morning room at
Grosvenor square By IN unlucky
chance Lillian Astrupp had been shown
up into that room, where she had re-
manned alone until the moment that
Eve, either by request or by accident,
had found her there. The facts re-
solved themselves into one question:
What use had Lillian made of those
solitary moments? Without deviation,
Loder's mind turned toward one
answer. Lillian was not the woman
to lose an opportunity, whether the
space at her command was long or
short
So convinced was he that reaching
Trafalgar square. he stopped and
hailed hanson.
"Cadogan gardens." he called mo.
49,"
The moments seemed very few be-
fore the cab drew up beside the curb
and he caught his second glimpse of
tings Instantly he pressed the bell the
door was opened by Lillian's discreet,
deferential manservant.
"Is Lady Astrupp at homer he
asked.
The man looked thoughtful. Her
ladyship lunched at home, sir. he be-
gan cautiously.
But Loder interrupted him. ASK her
to see me-" he said laconically
The servant expressed no surprise
His only comment was to throw the
door wide.
IF you'll wait in the white room,
sir" he said, ''I'll inform her ladyship."
Chilcote was evidently a frequent and
a favored visitor.
In this manner Loder for the second
time entered the house so unfamiliar
and yet so familiar in all that it sug-
gested. Entering the drawing room, he
had leisure to look about him. 1t was
beautiful room, large and lofty. Lux
ury was evident on every hand, but it
was not the luxury that pals or of
tends. Each object was graceful and
/
atmosphere was too effeminate to ap-
| peal to him, but he acknowledged the
taste and artistic delicacy it conveyed.
| Almost at the moment of acknowledg-
ment the door opened to admit Lillian.
II thought it would be you,' she said
systematically.
Loder came forward you expected
me?' he said guardedly. A sudden
conviction filed him that it was not
the evidence of her eyes, but something
at once subtler and more definite that
prompted her recognition of him.
She smiled. why should l expect
you? On the contrary, I'm waiting to
know why you're here?"
He was silent for an instant. Then
he answered in her own light tone
''As far as that goes" he said, let's
make 1t my duty call-having dined
with you. I'm an old fashioned per
SON."
For a full second she surveyed him
amuSedly, Then at last she spoke
My dear Jack"-she laid particular
stress on the name-'I never imagined
you punctilious. l should have thought
bohemian would have been more the
word"
Loder felt disconnected and annoyed
Either, like himself, she was fishing for
information or she was deliberately
playing with him. In his perplexity he
glanced across the room toward the
fireplace.
Lillian saw the look. Won't you sit
down." she said, Indicating the couch
Il promise not to make you smoke.
shan't even ask you to take off your
Gloves
Loder made no movement. His mind
was unpleasantly upset. 1t was nearly
a fortnight since he had seen Lillian
and in the interval her attitude had
changed, and the change puzzled him
1t might mean the philosophy of wo
man who, knowing herself without ade
quate weapons. withdraws from com
bat that has proved fruitless, or i
might imply the merely catlike desire
to toy with a certainty. He looked
quickly at the delicate face, the greer
eyes somewhat obliquely set, the unre
liable mouth. and instantly he inclined
to the latter theory The conviction
that she possessed the telegram fillet
him suddenly. and with 1t came the de
sire to put his belief to the test-t'
know beyond question whether he
smiling unconcern meant malice o
mere entertainment
when you first came into the room,
he said quietly, you said I thought
would be you Why did you say that
Again she smiIed-the smile tina
might be malicious or might be merel
; amused. "Oh." she answered at last
Il only meant that though l had bee
told Jack Chilcote wanted me, it WASH
Jack Chileote expected to seer
After her statement there was
pause. Loder's position was difflcul
Instinctlvely convinced that. strong I
the possession of her proof, she was er
: joying his tantalized discomfort, he ye
tho oo&f,oj ha% ShQy1i