The San Francisco call., 1909-08-22

said she was preventing him frogs g.
ing So
ITS very good of you. and you are
very pretty. Flora he admitted with a
grudging smile, but I've got to see
man in there" His eyes went to the
door of the smoking. room. whence was
audible a discussion OF voices and
among them Judge Buffers basso She
was between Harry and the door.
Laughingly. he made as If to put her
aside. when the door through which
she had entered opened again sharply;
and Kerr came in.
Forgive me. / followed yOu," he
began. Then he saw Harry 'I-ha-
ha-I've been hunting for you. Cressy.
all the evening""
Harry accepted the statement with a
cynical smile. 1t was too evidently not
for him Kerr had been hunting. and after
the first stammer of embarrassment,
the Englishman made no attempt to
conceal his real intentions. His words
merely served him as an excuse not to
retreat
This is good place to Sit he
said, pushing forward a chair for
Flora She sank into IT. wondering
weakly what daring or what danger
chad brought him into a house where
he was not known. 10 seek her. He
sat down in the compartment OF a
double settee near her. Harry stm
stood with dubious smile on his face.
The look the two men exchanged ap-
peared to her prolOngment of their
earnest interrogation in the picture
gallery; but this time 1t struck her
that both carried it on less well. Harry.
especially, bore it badly.
Did you say you were looking for
me2 he remarked. We'll. Buffers
been looking for you. He wants to
know about some Englishman that
they're trying to put up at the club"
How's that? Oh. yesi I remember"
Kerr shrugged. Never heard of him
at home. and can't vouch for every fei-
low who comes along, just because he
is English
quite sor said Harry. with
straight look at Kerr that made Flora
uncomfortable
But Judge Butler has already
vouched for that man." she said quick
ly, so he must be all right"
Kerr inclined his head to her with
a smile.
Butler is easily taken in" said
Harry calmly. Under the direct. in
solent meaning Of his look Flora felt
her face grow hot-ner hands cold
Harry could sit there taunting this
man, hitting him over another's back.
and Kerr could not resent II. He could
only sit-his head a little canted for
ward-looking at Harry with the
traces Of a dry smile upon his lips
She thought the next moment every
thing would be declared. She sprang
up and. with an impulse for rescue.
went to the door of the smoking room.
Judge Butler she called.
There was a sudden cessation OF
talk; a movement of forms dimIy seen
in the thick blue element; and then.
through wreaths of smoke the Judges
face dawned upon her like a sun
through fog.
Well. we'll, Miss Flora" he wanted
to know. Ito what bad action of mine
do l owe this good rortune?"
She retreated, beekoning him to the
middle of the room. You owe It to
the bad action Of another" she said
gayly. Your friends are being SLAM
dered."
Harry made movement as II he
would have stopped ner. and the ex-
preston OF his face. in it's ala N.
was comic. But she paid no heed.
she laid her hand on Harry's arm. Mr..
Kerr is just about to accuse us of
being 1mpostOrs," she announced. She
had robbed the situation of its peril by
gayly turning II exactly inside out.
The Judge blinlxed. puzzled at this
extraordinary statement Harry was
disconcerted; but Kerr showed an as
ton1Shment that amazed her-a con-
Germ that she could not understand
He stared at her. Then he laughed
rather shakily as he turned to her with
a mock gallant bow.
All women impose upon US, madam.
And as for Mr.. Cressy"-he fixed Harry
with a look-'I could not accuse him
7of being an impostor since we have
met in the sacred limits of St. James"
The two glances that crossed before
Flora's watchful eyes were keen as
thrust and parry Of rapiers. Harry
bowed stif1y.
I believe, for a fact. we did not
meet, but think I saw you there
once-at some embassy ball"
The words rang, to FIora's ears. as
If they had been shouted from the
housetops. In the speaking pause that
followed there was audible an unknown
hortatory voice from the smoking room
i tell you it's damn fool way to
manage it. What's the good Of $50 900
reward?" Flora clutched nervously at
the back of her chair. She seemed to
see the danger of discovery piIing I'D
above Kerr like a mountain
The judge chUckled. you see what
you saved me from. They've been at
it hammer and tOngs all the evening
Every man in town has his idea on that
subject"
For instance. what is that oneg'
AeTI cdSudl voice was In contrast to
his guarded eyes
The judge looked pleased. That
one? Why. that's my own-was. at
least. half an hour ago. You see. about
that $4,000 proposition" They moved
nearer him. They stood, the four.
around the red velvet. covered table.
like people waiting to be served. The
trouble is right here" said the Judge.
emphasizing with blunt forefnger.
The crook has pal That's probable,
isn't it?"
Harry nodded Flora felt Kerr's eyes
upon her, but she could not look at
him.
And we see the thing is at q dead
lock, don't We? Well. now" the Judge
went on triumphantly, I'VE know that
if any one person had the whole ring IL
would be turned in by this time. That
is the weak spot in the reward policy.
They didn't reckon on the things being
split
Split? No. really, do you think that
possfble?' Kerr inquired. and Flora
caught glimmer OF irony In his voice
''Well. can you see one OF those chaps
trusting the other with more than half
of it?' The judge was scornful. And
a fellow needs whole ring IL he is
after a reward He rolled his head
WaggfShly. "Oh, I could have been a