The Montgomery advertiser., 1907-09-04

Hotel. where had never stopped be- fore--a long drive from the Care du Nord-- and claimed the rooms for which "Mr. George sandford" had wired from London. The suite engageu was a charming one. and the private salon almost worthy. to receive the lovely lady I expected. Nor did she keep me waiting. I had, had time only to give instructions about sending a man with a key to the station for my luggage. to say that a lady would call, to reach my rooms, and to draw the curtains over the windows, when a knock came at the salon door. was in the act of turning on the electric light when this happened, but to my suprise the room remained in darkness--or rather, in pink dusk lent by the colour of the curtains
 'The lady has arrived, Monsieur" announced the servant. "As Monsieur expected her. she has come up without waiting; but I regret that something has gone wrong with the electricity, all over the hotel It was but just the lights. otherwise lamps and plenty of candles would have been provided, though no doubt the light will fonc- tlonne properly in 8 few minutes. If Monsieur permits, will Instantly bring him lamp" i NO. thank you" I said hurriedly. Tor l did ret Misn to be tnI arrupteJ in the midst of my important lrier- view with Maxine. If the light comes on, it will be all right: if not. I w,li put back the curtains; and i. is rot yet quite dark. Show the lady '1." In the pink twilight of the cur | tained room came Maxine dc Rerzie. whose tall and noble figure I recogniz- | ed in It's plain, Nclose-fitting black II ,ah hnr xufda hrimmad hat \ was draped with a thickly embroidered | veil that completely hid her face. while | long, graceful lace folds fell over and obscured the bright auburn of her hair.
 aOne moment" said. Let me push the curtains back. The electricity has | failed"
 NO. mo-" she answered. Better leave them as they are. The Dghts may come on and we be seen from out \ side, Why-"as she drew nearer to me, and the servant closed the deer, T thought recognized that voice; It is Ivor Dundas."
 "No other" said I. Didn't the weren't you warned who would be the man to come?"
 \ No" she replied. "only the as- stunned name of the messenger aai place | of meeting were wired. It was <ateT SO, even though the telegram was in a cypher which I trust nobody knows I except myself and one other. But i'm gIad--glad it's you. It was clever of | --him to have sent you. No one w1ulli dream that---no one would think it strange if they knew Gas ope thty won't) that you came to falis to see me. oh, the relief that you've got through safelyl nothing has sppens al You have--the paper?"f
 'Nothing had happened. and I have ! ss aHn od- ventures, to speak of. on the way, sno no reason to think I've ~een spo.tcd Anyway, here I am; and he-e Is come thing which will put an end U youi anxiety" And tapped the breas: oi my coat. meaningly.
 seThank Godi" breathed Maxine, witf thrilling note in her voice wh'cf would have done her great credit or the stage, though l an sure she wa' never further in her fife from tf. thought of asttng. After all I've sui fered. it seems too good to be tlue Give it to me, quick, Iyor, and let m'
 q will" I said But you nigh
 seem to telSe just little more fterss
 in me. even if you den rGalIy 1esl Inv ',
 you know. You might just scy, HoV
 have you been for the last tweiv
 aoh. I do take an interest, and Tn
 grateful to you--I can't cell you roy
 grateful. But have no time to thini
 either of you or myself now, she telc
 eagerly "If you knew everything you'd understand"
 T know practically nothing,' l et
 feseed : t'stiil, I do undsfs-and. wa
 onIy teasing you. Forgive me ' oughtnt to have done it. even Tor
 minute. Hefe is the lettcf-easS whlc
 the Foreign-whisn sn was given 10 me
 bring to you. ,, ,s
 "Waitv' she exclaimed. gtill ih m half whisper from which she pad nc"e
 denarted. Wait Ii will be bette
 to lock the door" Bit even as sh
 spoke, there camS knock, loud an
 insistent. With spring, she Ilun'
 herself on me. her hand fumoling TO
 the pocket had tapped suggestively
 moment ago. T. let her draw out tn
 long case which had been guaralhI
 the case had not once touched sine leaving London, except to feel anxiousV
 for IS outline through my buttone
 coat. At least, whatever might tp
 about to happen, she had it in her ow
 hands now.
 (COntiaued TOTnorrOw0
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