The Washington herald., 1908-05-13

except for a few elderly French and Bel
gian ladies, who were doing their weary
sentry-go.
One Of them stopped in front OF Van
draken Her paint and powder, her train
ed. wan smile, and eheaply gorgeous
clothes did not suffice 10 conceal from
the young man the ravages OF eonsump-
ton. She said something in a tired voice,
but In a foreign patois. which Vandraken
did not understand He shook his head
In good-natured refusal. and was turn
ing away, when some pathos In the de-
feate6 gesture she made struck that note
Of impulsive sentiment which vibratss
50 easily in the American character
Many hundred pounds still remained over
from his days income.
You're a bit Of a linguist, Ancestor,
he 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 yaw7. For good
ness sake. come along"
Not till you ask her. answered the
young man. doggedly.
Anything 10 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 10 lamp
and began TO examine them eagerly;
then, looking round, like hungry dog,
thrust them into her eorsege and disap-
peared.
Ten thousand francs! She viii be
able to retire at least twice on what l
have given her Thank goodness. have
nearly spent my days income"
And very likely bought back soul.
The woman VIII retire all right"
II don't believe IN souls, and I don't
want to. 7 was sorry for her body.
What's a soul. anyway
An extremely plausible theory. my
dear fellow. The bette noir Of smart go
eiety, and the Nonoonformist's one hops
OF getting even with il.
They turned down JerEiyn street. and
reached Lord Ancestors rooms IN silence.
His valet opened the door for them
'T wish you would find my green let
ter case. Williams, and bring it 70 the
smoking room You may go to bed then.
will let Mr.. Vandrsken out.
Ana might he call hanson. and tell
it TO wai- outsider
certainly LsN AAAE NHEf WAAIAN 81 .
you stOpping?'
''Tve got rooms at three hotels, but I
imagine they viii rook me more thor
oughly at the Ritz than any OF them,
so I shall go there tonight.
They had entered the smoking room.
It was paneled to 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.
He had thrown himself on a lounge,
Vandraken was too excited TO 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 hanson" he
said. and managed TO tip him without his
host seeing.
Ancestor unlocked the case and handed
Vandraken letter There you are.
German-looking handwriting. isn't it7''
and watched VandTaken with interest as
he deveured the contents.
"sir" II ran Il have made an invention Of in.
teTest only 20 the young who has many mil
lions TO spend. the young man who would like to
buy millions worth q enjoyment. bat dare only
buy Thousands because the consequences Of buy
ing more he knows too well Through my invention,
thess consequencss be can make smother man take
SO be can have much pleasure. and Fay only with
money ! viii only sell the invention % one mar
ny pay would BE- slo0ooo. IL 900 paid down befoTe
discuss the matter
''ls 81 Martins street. CovenI Garden
Abdul Won Tarsenheimi' repeated
Vandraken. What strange name"
Gives you confidence. One can't help
feeling that a man with such an out-of-
the-way name could do out-of-the-way
things" Ancestor sat up straight on the
lounge. Vandraken was rs-resding the
letter Sorry to seem inhosptable. but
I'm for bed Got 70 be flt 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
il"
Decide TO do about II. Why. hunt UP
Abdul first thing tomorrow morning. It's
only a thousand. even II the things a
fraud
"suil. one hates being done in the eve
by a German. However, I'm glad you
hav.s decided 10 investigate. That letter
has really reused what's left OF my curl
osity, Lord but I'm sleepy! Let me light
you down the stairs; and don't forget 70
tell me about your interview. Good
night"
Goodnight
The door banged. vandrsken got into
the waiting hanson, and was driven to
the Ritz.