The Detroit times., 1910-05-13
CHAPTER xLvI.-CcontInusd).

SVNT lGH NINIs-NSontinucul'
At the end of half an hour Lady Al
lamont stood before the long cheval
glass contemplating a figure and face
that she felt hard TO believe belonged
l 10 herself When the veil and the sail
or hat came 10 be donned. the disguise
was absolutely complete. She knew
now that she need never fear recogni-
ton anywhere. But she was going to
wait till the dark came; she was too
clever TO take any risks.
Your task has been a veritable tri-
nmph." she said
Yes, l hatter myself that II is
pretty clever" La Belle Atlanta re-
piled. "All you have TO do now Is TO
wait till IL Is quite dark, and then walk
out like parlormaid who Is gotten up
Tor conquest It's pity you could
not have managed TO get your ward
robe away. bat you are too used to
escapes like this to mind"
"Oh, that is a trivial matter, COM
paratively speaking. The thing that
troubles me most is the lack of ready
money. / am practically penniless,
though, OF course, I've got as much
jewelry as can find slowed away
about my person. I've treated you
vilely, and you have behaved In way
that does you credit. Won't you go
further and let me have enough gold
to take me as far as Paris, for In
stance?"
La Belle Atalanta responded that
she had not a shilling in the world.
The matter was still under discussion
-. 81
old Susan had returned. With her
fingers on her lips. Lady Altamont
darted away. and before Susan came
up the stairs she was hidden once
more In the dim recesses Of the studio.
The light WAS beginning TO fade
now; one by one the lamps fiared No
in the street. Somewhere close by a
clock was striking the hour OF seven.
1t was quite time TO go now, Lady Al
lamont decided. Very softly she crept
down the steps into the hall; the big
door opened without a sound; mo-
ment later the fugitive was in the
street.
She was not afraid of being reeog-
nized She was quite sure OF her dis
guise. Therefore she started and al
most cried out as a hand was laid on
her arm With sense OF great relief
she turned round to recognize O'Brien.
Don't stand" he whispered. Walk
quietly on, and | will keep yard or
SO behind you. so that you can hear
all / say. | saw the detective turn to-
wards the house, and | guessed by in
stinct that you would think Of the sc.
cret panel and make use OF No. 13.
thought that ! recognized you, and
CHANGED IL. | suppose your sister help
ed you out. But have you any money!"
THAT is exactly what Is troubling
me-" Lady Altamont replied 81 have
absolutely no cash whatever. II you
could lend me some"
II am going to do SO; | managed to
get few pounds on purpose. No,
there is no time to explain as to how
and where | got It, Put your hand
behind you and will drop ten or
dozen sovereigns into your hand And
now goodbye. for I have other work
to do"
O'Brien turned away without wait
ing to be thanked He quickened his
pace presently when he came to Pic
cadilly, and then outside one OF the
big hotels he waited with a patient
air.
Presently his patience was reward
ed, for a young man came down the
flight OF marble steps and turned up
his collar as protection from the
thin rain that was beginning to fall.
He stopped as O'BrieH accosted him.
What do you want?" he asked.
"What cnn do for you?" -.---.-.n
"Very little. Mr. Wanless." O'Brien
said Never mind who ! am. I un-
derstand that tonight Miss Ailsa Lee
troy came TO spend the evening with
your people in fact. she is going to
stay with you. | know what you are
after and what you are in search Of.
If you will do rs l ask, you will not
take a cab, but walk home. Take my
advice, and you will find the man you
need-Ronald BraybTooke."