The Washington herald., 1908-05-11

! except for a few elderly French and Bel
gian ladies'. who were doing their wear5
sentry-go.
one OF them stopped In front Of Van
draken. Her paint and powder. her train
cd, wan smile and cheaply gorgeous
clothes did not suffice to conceal from
the young man the ravages of consump
tion. She said something in a tired voice
but In a foreign patois, which VandrakeT
did not understand He shook mis- head
in good-natured refusal. and was turn.
ing away, when some pathOs in the de-
Efeated gesture she made struck that note
of impulsive sentiment which vibrates
SO easily in the American character
Many hundred pounds still remained over
from his days income
You're a bit OF a linguist, Ancestor, "
ne said, pulling out roll of notes. ASK
her how much she'll take to retire from
business"
Don't be a silly ass, answered Lord
Ancestor. sitting a yawn. For good
ness sake, come along
Not till you ask her, answered the
young man. doggedly.
Anything to get TO bed" murmured
the other, and spoke a few sharp words
to the woman in her own language.
She says 10000 francs"
Vandraken handed the woman a roll
Of notes She shuffled over to a lamp
and began to examine them eagerly;
then. looking round. like hungry dog,
thrust them into her corsage and disap-
peared.
Ten thousand francs. She win he
able TO retire at least twice on what 1
/ have given her, Thank goodness! have
nearly spent my days income"
And very likely bought back a soul
The woman VIII retire. ali right"
II don't believe in souls, and I don't
want 20. I was sorry for her body
/ What's a soul. anyway
"An extremely plausible theory, my
/ dear fellow. The bette noir of smart So
ciety, and the Nonconformist one hope
of getting even with it,"
| They turned down Jermyn street, and
reached Lord Ancestors rooms in silence.
His valet opened the door for them.
Il wish you would find my green let
ter case. Williams, and bring 1t TO the
smoking-room. You may go 10 bed then.
l will let Mr.. Vandraken out"
and might he call a hanson and tell
II TO wait outsider"
Certainly. By the way, where are
you st0pping?"
I've got rooms at three hotels, but I
imagine they will rOok me more thor
oughly at the Ritz than any Of them.
so | shall so there tonight"
They had entered the snOking-roOm
II was paneled 10 the ceiling with Eliz-
abethan oak, looted from ons OF Lord
Ancestors disused country places; the
carved oak mantel was of the same
period: candles the only light. There
were some photos of race horses on the
walls Ancestor pointed them out to
his guest You ought to get some of
those: amusing, and very expensive"
lie had thrown himself on a lounge
Vandraken was too excited 20 sit down
When the servant entered with the
green leather letter case, he went eagerly
forward and took it from his hands
Don't forget about the hansom." he
said, and managed to tip him without his
host seeing.
Ancestor unlocked the case and handed
Vandraken a letter. There you are.
German-loOking handwriting. isn't itg'
and watched Vandraken with interest as
he devOured the contents.
Sir it ran Il have made an Invention Of in
terest only to the young man who has many mil /
lions 10 spend. the Young man Whg would like %
buy millions worth q enjoyment. but dare ouly /
bay thousands, because the consequences Of bly- /
~.
these consequences he can make another take. 1
so he can have much pleasure, and pay only with 4
money. | will only sell the inYeBtiou to one man /
my pay would be El00o)0. coo paid down before / /
diseuss the matter
ABDUL yON TARsENHEBL
Is 81. Martins street CoTent Garden.
Abdul Won T5rsenheim." repeated /
Vandraken. What ID strange name
"Giyes you confidence. One can't help
feeling that a man with such an out-of-
the-wsy name could do out-Of-the-way
things" Ancestor sat up straight on the
lounge Nardrakon was re-readinK the
letter. Sorry 10 seem inhospitable, but
Ira for bed Got to be fit for to-mor-
row. Polo at Ranelagh, you know You
can keep that letter only I wish you'd
LET me know what you decide TO do about
L."
Decide 10 do about it. Why. hunt up
Abdul first thing tomorrow morning. It's
1nly a thousand. even II the things a
fraud.
Still. one hates being done in the eye
BY a German. However. I'm glad you
nave decided to investigate. That letter
las really reused what's left OF my curl
,sity Lord, but I'm sleepy Let me light
7ou down the stairs; and don't forget to
ell me about your interview. Good
light"
Goodnight
The door banged. vandraken got into
he waiting hanson, and was driven to
he Ritz.