Evening star., 1907-08-04
" You were wrong, my lad. "

on were wrong, my lad.
hen 1t a success sir
1t is a triumph" said Courlander. Write
out the letter. and I'll sign it: and see that
Hel1nore has it before eleven tomorrow. You
and will go up to town together at nine pre-
clsely in the morning.
There was pause.
81 should prefer to return tonight, sir, ~
Beakbane mumbled uneasily L"
"As YOU wish said Courlander briefly.
" But it is considerably past midnight"
The confidential clerk copied the letter,
and Courlander examined it before signing,
and gave swift glance at his minion.
" Beakbane" the tinancier exclaimed. Il
have asked you already; | ask you again,
What is the matter with you?'
Nothing sir"
Then why do you spell meeting m-e-a-t? !?
You have dismissed guileless youths for less
than that No, don't trouble to recopy it.
I'll put it right"
Beakbane said nothing; but rose hastily
to resume his overcoat.
Thanks for coming" were Courlander S
words of adieu to Beakbane, at the north door
of the house 1t was just as we'll T."
SO | thought sir said Beakbane, ap-
parently cheered, and pulled the starting
lever. Good night, sir.
The red light receded and disappeared,
and the sound of the engine grew fainter and
fainter till it imperceptible
"Tomkins," Courlander addressed the soli-
tary footman on duty in the porch, "tele-
phone to the east lodge to open the gates for
Mr.. Beakbane; then you can go to bed.
shall lock the doors"
Courlander stroed round the vast building,
finishing his cigar. Arrived at the south side,
he looked up at the facade. 1t was dark,
save for Bergers window at the west corner
of the second floor.
4" wager those two boys are sitting up talk
ing" he murmured, and continued his circuit.
He entered the house, locked and bOlted
its grandose portals, turned out all the lights
except one, which burnt all night got into
the elevator, and assembled to the second floor.
The long deserted corridor was dimly illumi-
mated at either extremity. Nothing could be
heard in the immense interior OF the building.
He turned to the left, knocked softly at the
endmost door, and opened it a few inches.
Now, you boys" he said gaily, it's one
o'clock Bed!" That was his paterna, good
humored way
Come in, Mr. Courlander," said voice
He obeyed "Hello!" he exclaimed.
"Where's Maurice?"
Emile Berger. alone and involved in the
folds of a radiant dressing jacket, was sitting
on Chippendale table, idly dangling his legs.
60 He came in a few minutes since" Berger
replied, slipping off the table; then he went
out again. I'm waiting for him
What did he say?"
"Not a word.
well it's time you were both in bed.
Good night And Courlander departed.
Emile, tlreu OF waiting lot Maurice 5 return,
disengaged himself reluctantly from the dress
ing jacket, and, assuming other garments not
less resplendent, got into bed. But, disturbed
by visions and hopeful, now despairing in
which Millicent was the central figure he did
not sleep. And at dawn Emile rose, bathed
and dressed, and descended cautiously through
the house, so vast and still, into the early
virginia. freshness of the gardens which he
had helped to plan. And he gazed at the dis
tant wonder of the statue, his creation and
his restlessness brought him to the foot of the
statue.
On the plinth, a man in evening dress,
minus the necktie, was lying with closed
eyes in front of the disguised door,-a poor
little dwarfed figure under the mighty shadow
of the statue. Round the upper stud of his
shirt front spread circle of crimson.
To be continued next Sunday