The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 18??-1935, 1907-05-03
CHAPTER XVIII.

ODER'S plan OF action was ar
rived at before he reached
Trafalgar square. The facts
of the case were simple. Chill
cote mad left an discriminating telegram
on the bureau in the morning room at
Grosvenor square. BY an 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
the enameled door with its silver fit
tings. Instantly he pressed the bell the
door was opened by Lillian's discreet,
deferentiaI manservant.
els 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.
eff you'll wait in the white room,
sir" he said, am inform her ladyship."
Chilcote was evidently 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 1t sug-
gested. Entering the drawing room. he
had leisure to look about him. 1t was
a beautiful room, large and lofty. Lux
ury was evident on every hand. but 1t
was not the luxury that pals or Of
tends Each object was graceful and
possessed its own intrinsic value. The
atmosphere was too effeminate to APP
peal to him, but he acknowledged the
taste and artistic delicacy it conveyed.
Almost at the moment Of acknowledge
ment the door opened to admit Lillian.
81 thought it would be- you," she said
systematically.
Loder came forward. you expected
me? he said guardedly. A sudden
conviction filled him that 1t was not
the evidence of her eyes, but something
at once subtIer 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, Tets
make it my duty call-haying 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. / 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. Wont you sit
DOWN." she said. indicating the couch.
81 promise not to make you smoke.
shan't even ask you to take on your
glovesg'
Loder made no movement. His mind
was unpleasantly upset. 1t was nearly