The Detroit times., 1910-04-21
CHAPTER xxxiv.
Sir Charles Comes out.

IL was an awkward business alto
Gether. AS Ronald Braybrooke was fair
/ 10 admit He was more than a little
curious TO know what Cecil Wanless
was doing here at this time OF the
right and he had not the smallest
scruple In listening To thu converse
ton. Ii was just possible that he
could hear something TO mis- advai tage
On the other hand. his retreat &c
No. l3 was cut OF altogether Tic
could not get back there. except by
means OF the boudoir. and until he
returned he felt quite sure that Ailsa
would not retire 10 rest There was
OF course, the chance of creeping
quietly down the stairs. and then into
/ the street by means of the front door
after which il would have been !
very easy matter TO enter No. 10 by
the aid of latch-key.
On the whole Ailsa would have "a
wait. Braybrooke decided. He meant
| TO hear all there was 10 be heard
now. Possibly. Lady Altamont fell
secure in the knowledge that the
whole household had retired long ago
for she did not take the trouble &
close the door of the boudoir She
| flung herself down in an armchair
| with an air of WEAKNESS. and took
a cigarette from a silver tray by hel
side, Braybrooke could see all this
as he sat on an old oak chair in the
window. He felt quite safe In the
thick darkness
Really. this is very good OF me,
Lady Altamont said In ordinary cri
cumstances | should have been in
! bed long ago. And yet I sit up here
/ waiting for you 10 return after taking
your sister home, and all 10 hear what
you have To say
Il have a good deal To say" Wan
less said quietly.
All the same there was a ring oi
firmness in his voice that astonished
Bray brooke. He had hitherto regard
ed Wanless as a weak kind OF crea
ture who could be easily led and
! swayed by anyone little stronger
willed than himself Lady Altamonl
noted the change also. for she ele
waited her handsome eyebrows and
smiled
Really" she said Well, as I can
not 20 to bed until Sir Charles re-
turns. ] am quite at your service. Ny
husband went of with one or two OF
his choice companions, and they will
bring him home presently-probably
, in a cab My husbands dissolute
habits is the cross that | have t.
bear. To avoid scandal | stay here
and wait up for him, and administer
the drug that keeps him quiet. Some
day shall forget myself, and give
him too much. have my limitation!
the same as other people"
There was a cold contempt in the
speakers words thai was not lost on
! the listener She was capable OF II
too. he felt quite certain. A woman
who could leave her own sister &c
perish from neglect would be capable
of anything.
II am sorry" Wanless said politely
During the time | was on the yacht
with you had a good chance OF see
inG>ghat you had TO put up with. But
| did not come here 10 discuss the
shortcomings OF Sir Charles Alta
mont"
Lady Altamont laughed again
harshly and unpleasantly. There was
strange CLEAN in her eyes as she
closely surveyed her companion.
How strange your manner is" SHE
said. You are not at all like the
nice boy who has been so good d
friend to me. What Is the natter?
II am not boy at all. Wanless
responded. Let me assure you that
my education has been progressing
very rapidly lately know you LOOK
upon me as a fool. and | am equally
sure that | have given you plenty ~
evidence OF the fact. But | am not
going TO be fool any longer, as you
are about to discover"
Really, Well, congratulate you
Pray proceed The threat in your
voice
II am sorry | did not mean to use
threats towards you All ! want Is a