The Washington herald., 1908-03-01
By
WILLIAM LIE QUEUX
Copyright, 1908, by William lie Queux
Entered at StatioHerS' Hall.
All rights reserved.

a place where an accident might happen
10 you. know nothing about Servia,
and besides"
"Wen?"
The mystery about old sam Statham
always haunts me. I don't somehow Ike
that man"
You only met him once, and he was
very courteous to you. Besides. he is my
master Were it not for him. should
most probably be going about London
penniless.
Il know I know" she said. Have you
been TO bis house in Park Lane lately?'
Il was there this morning. but only for
five minutes He gave me some instruc-
tons about a call 1 had to make in the
city"
Il wish you could leave him and get
some other work as secretary. I don't
like him. He isn't what he pretends TO
be; I'm sure he isn't"
He pretends to be nothing" laughed
her brother "Old Sam Is n millionaire
and millionaires need no pretense. He
could buy up this show twice over, and
then leave a million for the death duties.
You've taken a prejudice against him"
"A woman's prejudice-which often is
not very far wrong
ther than we men do. but in this Marion.
you are quite wrong. Old Sam is eccen-
trio and mean, but AZ heart he's not at
all bad old fellow"
We'll. 1 tell you frankly. I don't half
like your going to Servia Il. der his
auspices"
Charlie RoIfe laughed aloud.
MY dear Marion. OF what are you ap-
prehensive?' he asked. L so IN very
responsible position. as his confidential
secretary. to inquire into certain matters
in his interests. If carry out my mis-
sion successfully. I shall get a rise OF
salary"
Granted But you know what you've
told me about the queer stories afloat re-
garding Samuel Statham and his house
in Park Lane.
I've never believed Them. although
they are. Of course. curious. Yet you
must remember that every man OF great
wealth has mysterious stories put about
by his enemies. Every man and every
woman has enemies. Who has not?"
But you've admitted yourself that
you've never been in more than one room
in the mansion" she said. looking him
straight in the face
That's true But It doesn't prove any
thing, does it?'' he asked. And Marion
saw that he was nervous and agitated
quite unlike his usual self Perhaps,
however, il was on account Of her appre-
tensions. she thought.
She had only seen Samuel Statham. the
well-known millionaire. on one occasion.
She had called at the Offices in Old Broad
street one afternoon TO see her brother.
VINO was his confidential secretary, when
the old fellow had entered. a short
round-shouldered. gray-bearded old man.
rather shabbily dressed. who. looking at
her, bluntly asked who she was and what
she wanted there.
One OF hts eccentricities was that he
hated women. and Marion knew that
In faltering tone she replied that she
was sister Of his secretary, whereupon
his manner instantly changed He be-
came the acme OF politeness. asked her
into his private room offered her a glass
Of port-which. Of course. she refused
and chatted 10 her most affably till her
brothers return
Why she had taken such a violent dis
like to the old man she herself could not
tell Possibly il was his sudden change
Of manner. and that his pleasant suavity
was feigned. And this, combined with
the extraordinary rumors regarding his
past, and the mystery Of his great man.
sion in Park Lane. had caused her 10
view him with bitter prejudice.
Several customers were waiting to be
served. and. Marion saw Mr.. Warmers
eve upon her.
Well Charlie" she said. perhaps I'll
get down TO Charing Cross to see you off
You go TO Paris first. I suppose?''
Yes. I take the Orient Express from
there by way of Vienna and Budapest to
Belgrade. But he added. don't come
and see me of. there's a good girl.
''Why2 I've been before. when vo,,'ve
gone 70 the continent"
Yes. know" he answered. inpatient
"; 'but-wei. il makes me feel as If 7
sha'n't come back. Don't come. will
youg'
Marion smiled His anxiety that she
should not come struck her as distinctly
curious
He was not himself. OF that she was
convinced. To her, ever since her fathers
death. he had been good friend. and for
year prior to her engagement at Gun
nington's he had divided his salary with
her. No girl ever had better brother
than ne had been. vet OF late she had no
ueed complete. change in his manner
be was no longer frank with her. as ne
used TO be, and he seemed often TO hide
from her facts which. with her woman s
hOOI 4iStliSe' Sut dIlerWdTd OlScON-
cred.
Miss Rolfe!' exclaimed Mr.. Warner.
emerging from his office "Disengaged?"
And he pointed TO a pair of somewhat
obese ladies who were examining a cos
tune displayed on a stand
We'll. good-by, ChaElie." she said. shak-
ing his hand. 'T must go. We're very
busy this afternoon. Perhaps I shall see
you al Charing Cross. If not-then take
care Of yourself, dear. Good-by."
And she turned and left him to attend
to the two ladies. while he with a nod
across TO Mr.. Warner. strobe out of the
shop.
II hope to goodness Marion doesn't
come he muttered to himself Women
are so internally inquisitive. And If she
does go 10 Charing Cross. she's sure to
suspect something!''