The Prince George's enquirer and southern Maryland advertiser. (Upper Marlborough, Md.) 1882-1925, 1909-10-29

suppose no trace whatever has been
discovered?"
mot the faintest. I succeeded in
obtaining an interview with M.
Claude, who reluctantly admitted
that the French police have rarely
been so baffled."
cit is a most extraordinary case"
said Lady Gethin, and then hastened
to change the subject. II have had
rather a pleasant time of it at the
Kingsfords'. I went down the day
before Christmas and only returned
yesterday. The Deerings put up there
for two nights on their way to Lord
Arthur Saville's. Lady Frances was
looking a little more alive; and real
Iy Deering can be very agreeable"
"He is, 1 suspect, tremendously
white-washed sepulchre.
sI cannot understand your sus-
picions Of Deering," returned Lady
Gethin; 'as to his being mixed up
with the Lambert affair, it is mere
nonsense. What on earth could he
have to do with such a man as you
describe Lambert? He might have
met him in train, or on steam
hoat, or horse race. but it is impos-
sible he could have known much of
him."
"He did, however, I am certain"
said Glynn, slowly and thoughtfully;
"and you would agree with me had
you seen them together. There was
deadly enmity as we'll as acquaint-
anceship between them"
"Well, perhaps So" she returned.
"Will you have cup of coffee, Hugh?
1t will rouse you, you look sleepy and
distrait."
"Thank you; a cup of your coffee
will do me good"
Lady Gethin rang and ordered
some to be brought, talking cheerful
ly on a variety of subjects. But
Glynn's attention wandered while he
slipped the refreshing beverage, and
as he put down his cup Lady Gethin
exclaimed, 81 don't think you have
heard a word I have been saying!"
@Yes," he exclaimed, starting from
his thoughts, 'I have heard, but,
confess, not taken in the sense Of
what you have been saying. I am
perhaps foolishly excited by an incl
dent which occurred to-day, and as
you are tolerably acquainted with all
my weakness you may as we'll hear
this instance too. I was, as 1 told
you, at Clapham to-day; after the
christening of my little godson we re-
turned to luncheon at Heathcote'
at my cousins house, and when the
other guests had left he asked me
to smoke a cigar with him in the
garden. AS we talked and walked
up and down beside a railing and
hedge of holly, which separates
Heathcote's garden from the next, I
heard some one speaking at the other
side, and as 1 listened I could have
sworn that the voice was Elsie Lam
bert's. It was soft and low, yet won
derfully distinct; then a highly
pitched woman's voice declared in
French that she feared some task
would be difficult. Again the voice
that made my heart stand still said,
Difficult, but not insurmountable:
kindness and steadiness will over
come so much; I would trust them
too Then I ceased to catch the
words, though the we'll known tones
came to me again, as the speakers
evidently turned away. Great heav-
ems! l hear it still, it was Elsie's
voice! I lost my head for a moments
rushed to the railing, and thrusting
my arms beneath them. tried to tear
away some of the branch to look
through. My cousin thought I had
lost my senses, and begged for an
explanation. 1 told him felt certain
that lady I had been seeking in
every direction was at the other side
Of the hedge. He said the adjoining
grounds belonged to a ladies' school,
and I asked him to accompany me to
the house, and back me up in my in
quiries, as he was known to the own
er and the teachers. At last he con-
sented. The parleying occupied some
time, then we had a walk round by
road which ran the length of the
two gardens, to turn again on reach
ing the common, and go a little way
back to the gate of Montperier
House; altogether twenty minutes
must have elapsed from the time /
first heard the voice before l rang
the bell at Mrs. Storrer's. AS we ap-
preached cab was driving away. On
asking for the head of the establish,
ment, we were informed that no one
was at home but the head governes.
and the French teacher. Heathcote
sent up his card and begged to be
allowed to speak to one or both of
the ladies'"