The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1908-03-03
CHAPTER ".


witch, had taken a cab straight 10 Char
Hes chambers in Jermyn street, arriving
there shortly before g. Green, his man.
had told him, however. that his master
had returned soon after luncheon. or
dered two big bags 10 be packed, and had
left with them upon a hanson, merely
saying that he should be absent week.
or perhaps two, and that no letters need
be forwarded.
Max was not surprised at this sudden
departure. for old Statham had a habit
of sending his confidential secretary hith-
Ct and thither at almost a moments no.
tice. The old fellows financial interests
were enormous and widely dispersed.
Some OF them were in Servia and Bull
garia. where he held concessions OF great
value.
He had had a finger in most OF the
financial undertakings in the near East
during the past fifteen years or so. Out
OF the Oriental Railway extension from
Salonica to the Servian frontier alone he
had. It was said made a huge fortune
for he was the original concessionaire.
For some years he had lived in the Bal
kans. looking after his interests in per-
son, but nowadays he intrusted It ali TO
his agents. with occasional visits by his
confidential secretary.
Therefore, Max suspected that Charlie
had left for the East, more especially
that at the hour he had left Jermyn
street he could have caught the afternoon
continental service from Charing Cross
via Boulogne.
SO he went on 20 his own rooms,
changed. dined at the Automobile Club.
his mind full Of what the doctor had told
him concerning Charlie and Maud He
had. Of course. suspected It all along.
Marion knew the truth, but. loyal to her
brother she had said no word. Yet when
he had seen Rolfe with the ex-states-
mans pretty daughter. he had long ago
guessed that the pair were more than
mere friends.
That the doctor disapprOved Of the az
fair was somewhat disconcerting, more
especially as he had openly declared that
he had other ideas OF Maud's future.
What were they? was her father hoping
that she would marry some young Ser
1ian-a man of his own race?
He sat In the club over q cigar till
nearly . o'clock, wondering how he could
assist the man who was not only his
dearest friend, but brother Of the girl 10
whom he was so entirely devoted and
whom he intended TO make his wife.
he sighed with regret when he thought
OF her undergoing that shop drudgery TO
which she had never been accustomed.
The early rising. the eternal drive Of
business. the calm, smiling exterior to-
ward those pettish. swapping women Gus
toners. and those haSty scrambles for
sleals. He had seen her engaged in her
business. and he had met her after shop
hours. pale. worn. and tagged out.
And yet he-the man who was 10 be her
husband-lived in that ease and idleness
which an income Of twelve thousand a
year secured.
Had Petrovitch not told him that
Marion was dining at Cromwell road and
going to a concert with Maud afterward.
ne would have wired TO her to meet him
But he knew how devoted the two girls
were to each other. notwithstanding the
difference Of their stations, and how Maud
welcomed Marion's company at concerts
or theaters to which her father so seldom
cared to go
Suddenly IL occurred to him that IL he
returned 10 the Doctors he would meet
Marion there later on when she came
back from Queens Hall. and be able TO
back Of oxford street where the assist
ants OF Cunnington's, Limited, lived in"
This reflection aroused him. and, glanc-
ing at the smOking-rOom clock he saw il
wanted a quarter TO 10.
Two other men. friends OF his. were sit
ting near, discussing motoring matters.
and their eternal chatter upon cylinders.
tires radiators. and electric horns bored
him. Therefore he rose put on his coat,
r..I na~ffF - l. Ii.
to Victoria. where he took the under
ground railway 20 Gloucester road sta
tion.
From there TO the house Of the ex-min-
lister was only a very short walk. The
night was mild. bright. and starlight, for
the. haze Of shutdown which had threat
ened rain had been succeeded by a bril-
liant evening. Cromwell road is always
deserted at that hour before the cabs and
carriages begin 20 return from restau-
rants and theaters. and as he strolled
along, knowing that he was always well
come at the doctors house TO chat and
smoke, his was the only football 70 be
heard I'm the long, open thoroughfare.
Ascending the steps beneath the wide
portico, he pressed the visitors bell. but
though he waited several minutes, there
was no response. Again and again he
rang, but the bell was apparently out OF
order, so ne gave sounding rat-tat with
the knocker
Then he listened intently; but to his
surprise, no one stirred.
over the door was a bright light. as
usual, revealing the number in great
white numerals, and through the ehinks
OF the venitan blinds of the dining-room
he could see that the electric lamps We're
on
Again and again he rang and knocked
1t was surely curious. he thought, that all
the servants should be out, even though
the doctor might be absent. The failure
10 arouse anybody caused him both sur
prise and apprehension. Though the cleo
trio bell might be out Of order, vet his
loud knock must be heard even I'D to the
Earrets- London servants are often neg
lectful in the absence OF their masters.
and more especially If there is no mis-
tress, yet II seemed hardly creditable that
they would so out and leave the place
unattended.
Seven or eight times he repeated his
summons, standing upon the door steps
with his ears strained to catch the slight
est sound
Once he thought he heard distinctly the
noise Of stealthy footsteps in the hall.
and he held his breath. They We're repeat-
ed He was quite certain that his ears
had not deceived him. for in the street
all was silent as the grave. He heard
some one moving within as though creep
ing slowly from the door
What could It mean? We're thieves
within?
He examined the door TO see II the
lock had been tempered with. but. so far
as he could discern it was untouched
He was undecided how 20 act though
now positively certain that something
unusual was in progress.
lie glanced up and dnun the lnnr rnna