Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-04-13
CHAPTER III.
The Language of Flowers.

fectually than any alarm clock would.
He sat I'D blinking and looked about him.
Then he shook Allardyce out of sound
sleep. where's Denny" he demanded.
"Eh-yow-w-w?" answered Allardyce,
yawning.
where's Denny?"
"Where's Denny?" Allardyce parroted,
stupidity "Why--'' He stumbled to his
feet and stared at his companion.
"Why-'
They stood there gazing at each other
Hes gone" cried Allardyce.
That's evident" Corbyn retorted.
somewhat Grossly.
II wouldn't have believed it, said the
EnRlishman.
Nor l." the American agreed. II don't
pened him. He wouldn't bolt without a
word to u.s."
'"The doors unlocked whispered the
other. after assuring himself Of the fact.
What the devil does it all mean?'
He looked blanl<ly at Corbyn again.
Corbyn looked back at him. They were
both dumfounded by their friends de-
lection.
what the devil does it all mean?" he
once more CALCULATED and drew out his
watch. Its half-past seven. too: Time
to strike camp if we don't want to be
caught here"
Yes we'd better get move on Cor
byn assented. "I've shaving tackle some
where about. and We can snatch wash
at the tap outside. Well have to break
fast on water. also. unless our moneyed
member returns to the fold In time
They made hasty toilet without
further conversation. and. ten minutes
later. left their temporary quarters AL
lardyce no less neat and correct than
usual Corbyn equally we'll groomed
4 sudden inspiration caused Corbyn to
stop at Gonzalez's door as they passed it.
I'll knock and ask If any ones been in
curing for me-" he explained. in low
tone. Hell think we've come up from
the street, and We'll find out if he's at
home. But all his knocking ELECTED no
response. The studio seemed to be de-
serted. On his way out he looked into his
letter box for the last time. 1t was quite
empty.
He followed his friend with a sigh. and
for two long hours they paced the pave
ments. discussing O'Dare's most mys-
ferrous disappearance. With that to oc-
cupy their minds they did not miss the
morning meal. But when. toward 10
the hotel. they were no nearer any salts
factory conclusion as to its cause. The
only decision they could arrive at was
that. all things considered. it would not
be advisable to raise any hue and cry
for the missing man.
mo sign of him here said Corbyn. dis
appointedly. as they went down the cor
ridor together. II thought he might. per-
haps. turn up at 10. since he knew where
to find u.s.
II wish he had answered Allardyce.
However. we'll hear what our good
friend Rose has to say in the meantime.
and then We'll be free to find Denny, if
he's to be found
The spacious vestibule was thronged.
They passed observantly from group to
group, seeking some sign whereby they
might identify the object of their quest.
WED better look out for him first. as
instructed observed Allardyce. IF we
can't find him otherwise. we'll have to
ask at the Office, but
Cad! exclaimed Corbyn. IF that
isn't OF course it is! Excuse me a
moment. AIlardyce.''
His friend followed him with his eyes
to where a man was standing by himself
his back against, a pillar, scanning the
passers-by without apparent curiosity. A
man of slightly less than middle height,
but very straight and we'll set up.
His irregular features. impressed with
a blandly whimsical melancholy. seemed
in some degree familiar to Allardyee. who
started as he observed that the stranger
was idly twirling red rose between two
fingers.
Corbyn bore down upon him with out
stretched hand. "Hullo. Meggs!" he cried,
with all the fervOr that can be COM
pressed into that abrupt Anglo-Saxon
apostrophe.
The others outward gravity gave place
to an instantaneous and whole-hearted
grin of pleasure He started forward.
such intensity of welcome that Corbyn
WINGED.
Great Caesars ghost. he calculated.
Phil Corbyn-of all people! Where under
heaven did you drop from? What are
you doing here? Tell me all your news.
It must be three years since we've met,
and I'm not going to let you go till I've
heard the last of it, You'll stop and
breakfast with me. I'm hungry for some
one to talk to. and. say, Phil. If you're
open for a sporting event I've PROPOSE
ton to- Give me five minutes more
here and we'll go inside. Then I'll ex-
plain.
Corbyn laughed. no less pleased than he
over their chance encounter.
i've friend with me-" he said. doubt
fully. "and-what are you twiddling that
rose for. Jerry? This isn't the Martha
Washington
Mr.. Meggs groaned lugubriously.
"Phil." he answered, with great solem-
nifty, I'm broken hearted. I'll tell you
why. presently. The beautiful language
Of flowers I'm using i'm the forlorn hope
OF finding even one man with enough
sense to see past his own nose. and be-
cause I couldn't contrive any better
scheme. I'm not half brainy enough my
self. That's what's the matter with me.
You've found two right away. all the
same" returned Corbyn. contentedly. and
signaled to Allardyce that he should join
them.
This is Ainslie Allardyce. Englishman,
Jerry. and he's the first. I'm the other.
Allardyce. this is Gerald Meggs.
THE polo player?' said Alardyce, as
they shook hands. Thought I knew your
face. You dined with our mess at Wool
witch one night good many years ago
after a hard game. Met you there, but
don't suppose you remember me-.
This is the top note!' Meggs declared.
in an ecstasy of satisfaction. "Of course
l remember you. I've got the mark of
your stick on my shnbone yet to keep
me from forgetting you. l never enjoyed
a game more. And it's godsend to me
to see you both here. Come in to break
fast and I'll tell you all about everything.
You haven't fed yet. have you?"
How about that rose?" Allardyce
asked. in turn.
That's what we're going to talk
about Meggs replied. I'm from Barr
of Mobile. But the rose is my own idea.
They found secluded corner In the
breakfast room. and. over the lavish re-
past he ordered. arrived by degrees at
mutual understanding. They could all
trust each other without preliminary in
quiries Corbyn had been on intimate
terms with their gratifled host since they
had been schoolboys together, and could
therefore vouch for each of the others.
But that was unnecessary, since Altar
dyce had been in the British army. and
Meggs had met him at his own mess A
perfect understanding prevailed.
Whats driven you into the revolution
list business. jerry" demanded Corbyn,