The San Francisco call., 1907-02-24

his immediate departure was inevitable.
/ detected him in behavior"
That is just where you are wrong"
Blenavon interrupted eagerly. You
arc mistaken entirely mistaken"
] laughed little impoiitely. am
son OF my employer
You know the circumstancesf' I
asked.
He nodded
The Prince has explained them to
me- It was altogether misunder
standing. He felt his foot little
easier and he was simply looking for
a newspaper or something to read
until you returned. Inadvertently he
turned over some of your manuscript,
and at that moment you entered,
Most inopportunely, I am afraid"
I answered. with an unwilling snliie-
II am sorry. Lord Blenavon, that
cannot Ascept this explanation OF the
Princes behavior. I am compelled TO
take the evidence of my eyes and ears
as final"
Blenavon sucked at his cigarette
fiercely for a minute, threw 1T away,
and commenced to roll another.
IT'S all rotr' he exclaimed. Majors
wouldn't do a mean action. and, be-
sides, what on earth has he to gain?
He is fanatical Royalist He is not
even on speaking terms with the Gov
ernment OF France today"
'T perceive / remarked. looking at
him closely, that you are familiar with
the nature of my secretarial work"
He returned my glance. and 1t seemed
to me that there was some hidden
meaning in his eyes which 1 failed to
catch.
81 am in my fathers confidence" he
said slowly.
There was a moments silence. was
listening to distant voice in the lower
part of the hall.
Am to take It, Mr. Ducaine, then
he said at last, that you decline to
apologize to the PrinceT
Il have nothing to apologize for" l
answered calmly. THE Prince was at
tempting TO obtain information in an
Illicit manner by the perusal of papers
which were in my charge"
Blenavon rose slowly to his feet His
eyes were fixed upon the opposite cor
ner of the hall. Lady Angela. who had
just descended the stairs. was standing
there. pale and unsubstantial as
shadow, and IL seemed to me that her
eyes. as she looked across at me, were
fun of trouble. She came slowly to-
ward us. Blenavon laid his hand upon
her arm
Angela he said, 'Mr. Ducaine will
not accept my word. ! can make no
impression upon him. Perhaps he will
the more readily believe yours"
Lady Angela will not ask me to
disbelieve the evidence of my own
senses" I said confidently.
She stood between us. I was aware
from the first of something unfamiliar
in her manner. something of which a
glimmerng had appeared on our way
home through the wood.
1T is about Majors. Angela" he con-
u,
all that happened. Majors is very
reasonable about it. He admits that
his actions may have seemed suspicious.
He viii accept an apology from Mr..
Ducaine, and remain"
She turned to me-
And your" she asked.
The idea of an apology. / answered,
appears to me ridiculous. My own
poor little possessions were wholly at
his disposal. / caught him. however,
in the act of meddling with papers
which are mine only on trust
Lady Angela played for moment
with the dainty trifes which hung
from her bracelet. When she spoke
she did not look at me.
The Princes explanation" she said,
is plausible, and he is our guest
think perhaps it would be wisest to
give him the benefit of the doubt"
''Doubt" exclaimed, bewildered-
There is no room for doubt in the
matter"
Then she raised her eyes to mine and
saw there new things ] saw there
trouble and appeal, and behind both the
shadow of mystery.
Have you spoken to my father?" she
asked.
Yes answered.
Did he accept your view7"
He did not answered bitterly. Il
could not convince him of what I saw
with my own eyes
You have done your duty. them" she
said softly. why not let the rest go?
As you told US Just now. this Is not a
personal matter. and there are reasons
why he did not wish the Prince to
leave suddenly"
was staggered. I held my peace.
ana the two stood watching me. Then
heard footsteps approaching Us,
and familiar voice.
What trio Of conspirators - this
Ah."