Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-01-30
BLASTED HOPES.

the window pane. but he did not turn his
head He only glanced out of the win
dow IS the train was finally leaving the
platform. The tall man was still stand
ing there, with his hands thrust deep into
his overcoat pockets. His companion had
disappeared.
1t was fine crossing and Lord Filing
ham walked alone upon the upper deck.
smaller of the two men who had been
at the station The latter, choosing his
opportunity. accosted him.
Lord dillingham;, 1 believe" he said
in English
The marquis looked down upon him a
little impatiently. What do you want?"
he asked. CURLY.
Il want few words with your lord
ship concerning one Philip Champion.
the little man said Your lordship may
perhaps remember the name.
Lord Ellingham shook his head and
passed on. Il never heard it in my life, =
he said. You will excuse me-
1T will be better for you to talk to
me- the little man began. "Evasions will
not answer for very. long,.
The marquis threw away the match
with which he had just lit a cigarette.
He stared hard at the person who had
that you cannot be well. ] simply do
not know what you are talking about,
and | do not choose to converse with
strangers.
He walked away and descended the
steps to the lower deck, where he joined
his wife in her private cabin. His nerves
We're certainly very much better! He
sat and chatted with her until they
reached the harbor, and himself escorted
her to the reserved carriage which was
attached to the train. At Charing Cross
the brougham was waiting almost oppO-
site the spot where the carriage stopped.
From the window, as they drove out,
Lord Ellingham caught glimpse of the
htrrr oil no NIL ff.rpr
He leaned back in the carriage and
smiled. The marchioness suppressed a
yawn.
You are in great spirits. Francis she
said.
He smiled, II am feeling better" he
said "A little more fight in me-.
The change has certainly done Won
ders for you" she remarked. You look
quite fresh. l feel perfect rag myself.
1t was such a hateful Journey
The marquis smiled 1T is dull jour
ney." he admitted Suffers. as rule.
from lack of incident, doesn't.it? Well,
We are back again, and London looks
about the same
You are glad to be back, of course,
she remarked.
1T is always a little interesting he
answered. Ito take up the threads.
The marquis sat UP late that night. go
ing through letters with his secretary.
When they had nearly reached the end
Penton produced three envelopes from
his coat pocket
Your lordship,' he remarked, was
particular TO give me instructions to open
everything. even letters that were marked
strictly private. There are three COM
munications with which / have been un7
able to do anything. and which / imagine
must have been sent to your lordship in
error.
He spread them out upon the table.
There We're three sheets Of foreign note
paper. addressed to the Marquis of Ell
bingham in.typewritten characters. Their
contents We're the same. There was a
single sentence, which occupied only a
small space III the middle of the sheet
of paper:
Philip Champion is requested to COM
municate with his friends.
The marquis read the sentence over
slowly, and knitted his brows little, as
one confronted with a problem. His
nerves were certainly stronger, for neither
did he change color nor did the fingers
which held the thin sheets of foreign
| notepaper tremble.
What the devil is this. Penton?'' he
asked.
Il have no idea. sir the young man
answered. There are the letters. just
as they arrived, addressed to, you and
! marked private. And look here"