Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1907-03-16
m on. Jack. and guess what l sawI


the hands OF my Englishman. The
rings covered the scar made by 10
Kos teeth. 1 knew Il instantfy-the
second my eyes rested on IL. 1t was
the same scar that l had bound up
dozens OF times. that had seen healed
before l LEFT Santasalare."
And your What did YOU doT" Io-
der felt II singularly difficult aud IN
pleasant 10 speak
"Ah. that's the point That's where
was stupid and made my mistake.
L should have spoken TO him on the
moment, but / didn't You know how
one sometimes hesitates. Afterward
IL was too late"
But You saw him afterward-in the
roomsF' LOder spoke unwlllIngly.
NO, / didn't-thats the other point
1 didn't see him ia the rooms. and /
haven't seen him since. Directly he
was gone I left the tent pretended
TO be hungry and bored-but though
went through every room. he was no
where 10 be found Once"-she hest
tated and laughed again-"once
thought 1 had found him. but Il was
only yOu-you. as you stood in that
doorway with your mouth and chin
hidden 10y Leonard Kaine's head.
Wasn't it quaint mistaken
There was an uncertain pause. Then
Loder. feeling the need OF speech.
broke the silence suddenly. Where
do / come inT' he asked abruptly.
What ann ! wanted fory'
ITO help TO throw light on the mys-
terry I've seen Blanche's list OF peo-
pie. and there wasn't a man 7 couldn't
/ place no outsider ever sQueezes
| through Blanches door. I have Ques-
| toned Bobby Blessington. but he can't
| remember who came % the tent last.
And Bobby was supposed 20 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 suggestT'
Then for the first time Loder knew
what his presence On the room really
meant and az best the knowledge was
disconcerting. 10 Is not every day
that man is called upon to unearth
himself
"SuggestF" he repeated blankiy.
Yes. I'd rather have your idea OF
the affair than anybody clse's You
are so dear and sarcastic and keen
that you can't help getting straight at
the middle OF a 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. II requires all the
attributes OF youth, suppleness and a
/ 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 bT the frelight. she made a pic
ture thai it.would have been difficult
10 criticise
But the person who should have ap-
preciatod Il stared steadily beyond IL
10 the FIRE His mind was absorbed by
one questionable question OF how he
might reasonably leave the house be-
fore discovery became assured.
Lillian, attentively watchful or him.
saw the uneasy look. and her own face
fell. But. as she looked. an inspiration
came 90 her-a remembrance OF many
interviews with Chncote smoothed and
facilitated by the timely use OF to-
bacco.
Jack" she said softly. before you
say another word / insist on your
lighting 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 a new and more imminent diff
Guilty "Thanks!' he said quickly. q
i have no wish 10 smoke"
1T isn't a matter Of what you wish.
but OF what / say" She smiled. She
knew that Chilcote with a 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 20 smoke" he said,
you told me 10 give you some advice.
Your first command must have prior
claim" He grasped unhesitatingiy at
the less risky theme.
sic looheu UP NJ MN. on re al
ways nicer when you smoke" she per
sisted caresslngly. Light a cigarette
and give me one"
Loder's mouth became set NO" he
said, wen stick TO this advice bust
ness. 1t interests me-"
''Yes-afterward"
'No; now. You want 10 find out why
this Englishman from Italy was at
your sisters party and why he disap-
peared2"
There are times when a malignant
| obstinacy seems 10 affect certain peO-
pie. The only answer Lillian made was
TO pass her hand over Loder's waist
coat and, feeling his cigarette case, to
draw It from the pocket.
He affected not to see It. do you
think he recognized you In that tentY'
he Insisted desperately.
She held out the case. Here are
| your cigarettes. You know we're al
ways more social when we smoke"
In the short interval while she looked
up into his face several Ideas passed
through Loder's mind. He thought OF
Z