Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-09-18
CHAPTER XIV.
and Good Judgment Yields to Folly

have revealed its presence to brain more than orlna-
ry acute but in the storm and of his rage against
gods and men, Medenham did not wait to ponder sub
tetes of expression. No matter what the hidden
that inspired Marignys pen it enough for Meden-
ham to know that at last that archpotter and perfect
rascal was within his reach He breakfasted in fury
of haste, crammed hat, and rushed away meaning
to drive in a cab to the hotel on Observation-Disclosures.
from which Marigny wrote.
Such his agitated state that he even sur
prsed when he found the Mercury waiting outside.
with Dale taclturn as ever scrunzng the day sport
ing news. In sober fact, the almost per-
turbed his master For an hour in the morning, and
again during certain periods of suspense in the afternoon
he forgot his troubles in the effort either to spot
persuade himself that the horses he had
ected for particular had since their names
failed to appear among the first three But these
spasms of anticipation and dislusionment passed
During the remainder of the long hours of daylight Dale
the qui vipe for wild rush of two three
hundred miles in pursuit of the woman whose charms
had SO effectualy subjugated the young Viscount.
Even the hunt for Marigny did not weaken Dales be-
lief and Medenham was never in Cavendish Square
at his club at any practicable hour that the Mercury
not at hand with petrol tanks full luggage carriers
attached and full stock of spirit board.
At any rate on this occasion NIedenham merely gave
him Marigny's address and jumped inside. Dale
disappointed He expected the order to be Carlisle at
the least
SOON his Lordship was being conducted by hotel
~ servant to private sitting room. The Frenchman
who seated at table writing when he entered
and bowed politely.
Il thought it highly probable that should have the
honor OF seeing this morning, N1SCOunt Nleden-
ham, he said and there touch of restraint, of
formal courtesy, in his voice which the other in
his anger against the did not fail to notice. Oddly
enough, it Savored of brutality to attack him without
preface and Margny seemed to be unconscious of his
visitors unconcealed animosity.
Il am glad you are here, he went on glibly. Re
cent events call for full discussion between you and
me- do you agree? But before we come to close quar-
ters you say in England wish to know whether the
argument is to be conducted lines that bef gentle
On the last occasion when we differed you used
the methods of the cOstermOnger.
They served their purpose said Medenham, am
noyed at finding the Frenchmans GOODNESS rather dis
concerting.
Suddenly he decided plan of action and
resolved to let the say what he chose. Dearly
he would have liked to wreak physical vengeance
him. he felt that such proceeding offered the least sat
sactory way out of situation fraugh with small
risk of publicity. Marigny must have had some all
powerful motive in sending for him. Better learn that
before his bitter and contemptuous words sealed
adversary's lips.
Won't you sit down." the urbane request.
Il prefer standing, if you don't mind said Meden-
ham curty then he added, after little pause, 1t may
clear the atmosphere somewhat if | tell you that |
threatened you at Bristol merely because certain
issue had to be determined within a few seconds That
consideration does not apply now You at liberty
to say what you like without fear of consequences.
The Frenchman elevated his eyebrows. Fear" he
said.
"Oh don't handy words with me. You know what
l mean | suppose must possess courage of
sort to become bac1mailer, which is what you
threaten to develop into. At any rate promise keep
my hands off you, if that is what you want
mot exactly the quiet answer Lone may
draw distinctions, in that regard; but do wish
for an opportunity to discuss quarrel without
appeal to brute force"
In other words, said Medenham sternly, you
want to be free to something that under ordinary
conditions would earn you threshing. Well-say it,
Marigny nodded, pulled chair round so that he
straddled it, facing Medenham, with his arms
resting the back. He lit cigarette and seemed to
draw inspiration from the dense cloud of smoke for his
eyes dwet it rather than sought the Engllshmans
frown.
"In dispute of this kind he said, lit is we'll to
begin at the begnning otherwise one motives are apt