The Irish standard., 1909-10-16

ever met.
In the rear Mr.. Van Torp and the
prima donna we're not talking; but
he looked at her, she looked at him,
they both looked at Kralinsky's back,
and then they once more looked at
each other and nodded; which meant
that Van Torp had recognized the
man he had met selling rubies in New
York, and that Margaret understood
this.
I'll tell you something else that's
quite funny, IL you don't mind drop
ping little further behind" he said.
Margaret walked still more slowly
till dozen PAGES separated them
from the other two.
What is it," she asked In 4 low
tone
y believe he's my old friend from
I; whom learned to whistle 'Parsifal,'"
answered the American. I'm pretty
sure of 1t, In spite Of good many
years and beard-two things that
change a man. See his walk? See
how he turns his toes in? Most COW.
boys walk like that"
How very odd that you should
meet again." Margaret was surprised,
but not deeply interested by this new
development.
We'll" said Van Torp thoughtful-
~. III I'd known I was going to meet
him somewhere. I'd have said this
was as likely place as any to find
him in, now that know what 1t was
| he whistled. But I admit that the
other matter has more in It, l won.
der what would happen II 1 asked
him about Miss Barrack?"
Nothing" Margaret answered con-
fdently. Nothing would happen. He
has never heard Of her."
Van Torp's sharp eyes tried In vain
to penetrate the veil.
| That's not quite clear" he OBJ
served. "Or else this isn't my good
day"
THE girl fooled you" said Marga-
ret In low voice. Did she mention
his name to you?"
/ We'll no"
! She never saw him In her life, or
II she ever did, 1t was she who robbed
him of rubies; and 1t was not the 9TH
er way. az you supposed. Men are
generally inclined to believe what q
nicelooking girl tells them!"
That's true" Van Torp admitted.
But all the same, don't quite under.
stand you. There's meaning in your
voice that's not in the words. Excuse
me If I'm not quick enough this morn.
ing. please. I'm doing my best"
Your friend Baraka has been ar.
rested and sent to prison in London
for stealing very valuable ruby
from the counter in Pinney's." Marga.
ret explained. "The stone had Just
been taken there by Mons Logotheti
to be cut The GIRL must have fol.
lowed him without his knowing 1t,
and watched her chance, though how
old Pinney can have left such a thing
lying on the counter where any one
could take 1t is simply Incompetent
sible. That's what you heard in nv
voice when I said that men are credu-
fous." ,...-
Mr.. Van Torp thought he had heard
even more in her accent when she
had pronounced Logotheti's name. Be.
sides. she generally called him Logo"
as all his friends did The American
said nothing for 4 moment. but he
glanced repeatedly at the white veil,
through which he saw her handsome
features without their expression
Well" he said at last, almost to
himself, for he hardly expected her to
understand the language of his sur
prise, that beats the band!"
1T really is rather odd, you know"
responded Margaret, who understood
perfectly. III you think I've adorned
the truth I'll give You the police court
report. ] have 1t in. my glove. Lady
Maud sent 1t to me with Z letter"
She added. after an instant's hesita.
ton, I'm not sure that l shall not
give you that to read, too, for there's
something about you in it, and she is
your best friend. isn't she?"
"Out and out. I dare say you'd smile
II told you that asked her to help
me to get you to change your mind"
No" Margaret answered, turning
slowly to look at him. "She tells me
so in this letter."
Does she really?" Van Torp had
guessed as much, and had wished to
undermine the surprise he supposed
that Margaret had In store for him.
That's just like her straightforward
way OF doing tb1gs. She told mo
frankly that she wouldn't lift finger
to influence you. However, It can't
be helped, ! suppose"
The conclusion Of the speech
seemed to be out Of the logical SO.
quence.
"She has done more than Eft q I'm.
ger now" Margaret said.
HAS she offended your" Van Torp
ventured to ask. for he did not under.
stand the constant subtone of anger
he heard in her voice. Il know she
would not mean to do that"
mo. You don't understand. I've
telegraphed to ask her to join ua
here
Van Torp was really surprised now