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

10 was an awkward business alto
Gether. as Ronald Braybrooke was fain
20 admit. tie was more than little
curious 10 know what Cecil Wanless
WAS doing here M this time OF the
right, and he had not the smallest
scruple In listening 20 the converse
t+eli--4t -was-4pst- pnaSlhle- 1hA1-he
could hear something 10 his advai tage.
On the other hand his retreat 10
No. 10 was cut on altogether He
could not get back there except by
means ~ the boudoir and until he
returned he felt quite sure that Ailsa
would not retire 20 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 II would have been a
very easy matter 10 enter No. 10 by
The aid OF a latch.key.
On the whole A!lsa would have 10
wait Braybrooke decided He meant
90 hear oil there was 10 be- heard
now Possibly Lady Altamont felt
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 al OF WEAKNESS, and took
cigarette from silver tray by her
side Braybrooke could see all this
as ne 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
bel long ago. And yet / sit up here
| waiting for YOU 10 return after taking
your sister home and all To hear what
YOU have 10 say
Il have a good deal 10 say Wan.
less said quietly
All the same there was a ring OF
frmness in his voice that astonished
Bray brooke He had hitherto regard
ed Wanless as weak kind Of crea.
| ture who could be easily led and
swayed by anyone little stronger
Wlled than himself Lady Altamont
noted the change also for she ele
waited her handsome eyebrows and
smiled
Really. she said We'll, as can
not 90 10 bed until Sir Charles re-
turns, ! am quite al your service My
husband wenC OFF with one or two of
his choice companions. and they will
bring him home presently probably
in cab Ny husbands dissolute
habits is the cross that have to
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 limitations
the same as other people
There was a cold contempt In the
speakers words that was not lost on
the listener. She was capable OF II
too, ne felt quite certain A woman
who could leave her own sister TO
perish from neglect would be capable
of anything
Il am sorry, Wanless said politely
During the time | was on the yacht
with you had good chance OF see
inc what 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
a 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 a
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 fool, and | am equally
sure that | have given YOU plenty o.
evidence Of the fact But am not
going TO be a fool any longer, az you
are about to discover
Really Well, | congratulate you
Pray proceed. The threat in your
voice
Il I'm sorry did not mean TO use
threats towards you All want is
clear understanding In the first
place require my mothers dia-
mOnds.'
Your mothers diamonds, And yet
YOU appear to be perfectly sober
What can | possibly know about your
mothers diamonds? 30 you suppose
I stole them"
did not desire to put matters quite
so bluntly." Wanless responded 1t
is not a pretty word to use to a lady.
But since you will have It so, let the