The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1910-02-22

was possible that the writer had yet
To learn what had happened in the
North Sea
Perhaps there was letter on the
writing.table. Ailsa felt that she
must know IL was not very pretty
thing TO do. she told herself. but II
was no time for nice scruples, With
n sudden holiness. +Ailsa stepped FROM
behind the curtains into the room.
The perfect appointments of the place
were not lost upon the girl She
noticed the sllken hangings the deli
cate curtains and carpets. and the ex-
pensiye flowers. The furniture belong
ed 10 the Empire period, and was
deliberately upholstered in old bro
cade There was enough old Bow and
Chelsea china there 10 realize for
tune. Evidently No. Ia Nernon-ter-
race. was occupied by people who
lacked neither money nor taste.
The house appeared 10 be full or
people. too. for below Ailsa caught
the sound OF frivolous conversation
and light laughter She remembered
now what a number OF carriages had
driven up there earlier in the evening.
From a distance came the soft strains
of a band Evidently some big func-
ton was In progress al No IA. And
what contrast il all was In the
house next door, There all was gloom
and mystery, here all light and pleas
ure. as II there was nothing 10 con
| M al al n ~
| But what was that envelope lying
on the deliberately carved Louis Seize
writing-table on a silyer-mounted
blotting pad. with gold-mounted
! fountain pen by its side Ailsa felt
that she must get at the potion or
| that at all hazards. She rapidly cross
ed over 10 the table, but there was
nothing besides the envelope and the
address and that was by no means
complete. High-streets abound every
where. indeed. few towns are complete
without High-street or two. and the
| half-fnished address conveyed moth
/ ing The clue was abrupt as II was
puzzling Ailsa stepped back present
| Is whilst in the act OF searching the
| blottingp pad. for outside she could
hear the rustic OF silken dress. Like
! a flash the girl was behind the hang
| ing again.
She was only just in time. for the
woman who had been writing return
ed with a gay air and the fragment
OF an opera tune on her lips. She
was very tall and dark and hand
= some a beautifully dressed woman ~
some x-and-thirty years. But the
tune died away and the dark face
grew hard as the room was reached
again. The half-addressed envelope
was snatched up and hastily hidden
under the blotting pad as man en-
tered
He was In evening dress. man
whose face and carriage did net lack
distinction. save that IL was SO ter
/ ri5iy married by traces of dissipation.
/ The shaky lip and unsteady hand told
their own tale He ficked some
cigarette ash over the wrting.table
contemptuously,
What are you doing here ne
asked Why aren't you downstairs
with your guests Had 10 write let
ter? Who to? Look here, I'm not
going TO put up with any more OF this.
Sir George Altamonts wife has some
thing To live up TO.
She has indeed the woman said
YEARLY. Your debts and your repu-
tation keep one going You go your
own way. and leave me ~ 40 mine.
| married YOU with my eyes open, and
I'm not going To whine about II.
have saved you from Jail more than
once already. All ask YOU is not TO
interfere. You get your pocket-mon-
ey. more than enough TO muddle what
little brains you have left with cham
pagne You are not sober now-your
insane suspicious Will spoil every
thing. Go away and leave me In
peace.
ooh. know how cursedly clever
YOU are" Sir George Altamont sneer-
ed And there's good deal In what
YOU say We float on top OF the
wave. and people envy us. But II
thew only knew what a set of ad-
venturers we are
But they never need know II you
have the sense TO keep your tongue
still Your part OF the bargain Is
complete, the business OF life you can
leave TO me. Go back 10 the smoking
room. You are seriously interfering
with my plans now.
What are tnOSe pans ~ youi
husband | have every right TO know.
You have no rights at all. You
have drowned them In brandy Go
hack say. There are times when
I feel disposed to leave you. | could
easily invent a pretext for a separa-
ton And | should be Lady Altamoht
still. | could carry on my brilliant
schemes without your jealous inter
ference And what would become OF
YOU? You would rot in Jail In six
months. -.
The man standing by the table
made no response. Probably ne lelt
the truth OF his wife's words. Ailsa
could not understand II at all. IL was
a new phase Of life to her Every
thing looked so solid and substantial
here and so like sterling worth. Lazy
Altamont stamped her foot.
will you co. she demanded
"your presence is needed downstairs
7 shall not be many minutes, ! tell
Won I have most important letter
TO write.
Sir George shuffled away. His un.
certain footsteps could be heard
stumbling down the stairs. burst
of laughter came from somewhere. me
sttains of a band began again, Lazy
| Altamont stood by the table tapping
her heel irresolutely. A moment later
AMI there came the soft, subdued
sound OF a whistle II sounded low
.,t..,c,. lilo "a signal 4 hDaTSp