The searchlight., 1910-03-18

ground, too. and he knew the mum.
ber of her house In Charles street.
Berkeley square.
On the other hand, there were
many things Of which he knew moth.
ing. or pretended to be ignorant, such
as the names Of her brothers and sis
ters. her fathers favorite pursuits
and the like. But she understood very
well that II he thought she suspected
his identity under the disguise of his
beard, and II he wished to avoid re-
cognition, he was just the man to pre-
tend blank ignorance Of some vital
matters. after admitting his acquaint-
ance with many others. He had been
very intimate with Leven, to the last,
he said: Leven had always written
to him very fully about his life. very
wittily sometimes, but always without
balance! That was 1t; he had no bal
ance." Yes, he himself had been in
Petersburg when Leven was killed
day. Within a week he had made q
rapid trip to New York, whence he
had now just returned. He had
crossed on fve-day boats both going
and coming. and he named them.
Il am naturally interested In meet.
ing any one who knew my husband SO
WELL" Lady Maud said. making bold
dash. at possibility. I'VE had many
differences, as you seem to know, but
dare say that IL he could come back
to life and know the real truth. we
should forgive each other"
She looked up to him with gentle
smile as she said this. for she had
often felt It; and In that instant q
fash of light came into his usually
rather uncertain eyes. Her heart stood
still: she looked at the sea again d.
rectly. for she was leaning against the
rail; then she drew breath, as II from
an effort. She had seen look that
could only mean recognition. Leven
was alive and was standing beside
her. But she had the courage to go
on talking. after q moment, and she
tried to change the subject, though
not very adroitly.
During the afternoon Mr.. Van Torp
had a revelation. sudden and clear,
for he had watched Lady Maud and
Kralinsky all day and had thought
about them a good deal, considering
how his mind was occupied with other
matters even nearer to his heart than
his best friends welfare. As soon as
the revelation came upon him he rang
for his own man.
"Stemp, see here!" he began.
you've valeted around with all sorts
OF different looking men. How long
does 1t take to grow a beard like
Count Kralinsky's?"
"A year, sir. Not a day less. and
longer with most gentlemen. II you
were thinking of II, sir"
You don't believe 1t could be man.
aged in three months, by taking an
expert around with you to work on
your face?"
That's out of the question. sir.
Gentlemen's boards that have shaved
all their lives, as suppose you have,
sir, do grow faster. but l should con-
slider a year a short time for such a
fine one as the counts. Indeed
should. sir"
DO you suppose you could stick II
on fresh every day. the way they dc
, for the stage?"
Not SO that 1t wouldn't show In
broad daylight. sir"
, well, that's ALL l wasn't exactly
. thinking of trying beard. was only
, thinking-just like that. What l rams
: for was cap. Got any more like this
, You see I've managed to get spo
. of ink ON this one. Had 1t on the
! table when l was writing. l suppose
: That's the worst of white caps. the,
: spot So"
A little later. Mr.. Van Torp wa.
! looking out for chance to speal
. alone with Lady Maud. and as sool
a as he found his opportunity he tolt
her what Stemp had said. Strangel!
enough. 1t had never occurred to hin
u. that such a remarkable beard as kra
:. to grow, and that Leven, who hat
;, I. none. had not left London more thai
= three months ago. He watched tn
effect of this statement on his friend
face, but to his surprise she rename,
|. grave and sad.
Il cannot help IT," she said in
tone of conviction. He must b
: Leven. whatever Stemp tells you abou
= his beard"
u We'll. then it's a false beard. an
. will come off." observed Mr.. Va
y Torp. with at least equal gravity
"Stemp says that's impossible. but b
q must be wrong. unless you are
Its real" Lady Maud said. AN
ls he is my husband. I've talked to hiI
y all day. and he knows things abou
Y my life that no one else could. and
70 there are others about which he
d vague. that must be because he
u pretending. and does not want I
70 show that he knows everything"
sr Van Torp shook his head. but n
u mained unconvinced: Lady Maud di
q. not change her mind either. and wa
y already debating with herself as I