Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-02-06

the marquis let himself in with his latch
key and went at once to the study His
secretary was there, engaged with a pile
of letters.
Routed the enemy, l hope, sir?'' Pen
ton remarked, rising.
For the present. Lord Ellingham an
swered. There is not much satisfaction
however. In holding office with a major
ity as slim ours. I won't keep you
any longer, Penton. | have some queer
sort of visitors coming in. people in whom
am somewhat interested, and l want to
talk 10 them alone
The young man picked up his papers
and prepared to leave. The marquis
valet, who had heard his arrival, had
come silently into the room and was re-
lieving his master of coat and hat
Whisky and brandy and soda on the
sideboard,' the latter directed. "a box of
cigars and some of my own Russian
cigarettes. Nothing more tonight, Per-
kins, except--wait moment"
The man came back and bowed in
quiringly.
There will be two men here to see me
directly. They should arrive about -
o'clock. They will probably look like
burglars. or some sort of desperate
characters. 1t doesn't matter. j will see
them at once. Show them in here
Very good. your lordship.' the man
answered
The marquis found himself alone. The
long hand of his clock pointed to five
minutes of the hour. Curiously enough,
although he fully realized the seriousness
OF the situation. he felt more cheerful
than he had done for months. At last
these namelcss fears were to take to
themselves definite shape. He would
know exactly what was demanded of him
He would know exactly where he stood
If il were q question of money-he ran
in his head aniGIy his nj
income For his position he had little
enough TO spare, and yet there were
means of raising capital, If it must be
raised. If il were money they wanted,
and money only. he might, after all. fight
his way through
Twelve O'Clock struck. He rose from
his chair, and mixing himself some
brandy and soda drank it off at
draught. 1t was rarely that he touched
spirits and he felt the effect at once.
Whatever he might have been. he told
himself. as he walked up and down the
room, his hands behind him. his brows
knit. his eyes flashing with resolute fire.
he was now Marquis of Ellingham. dis
tinguished politician. the head of n great
house, man entitled to respect and con-
sideration. He would not allow himself
10 be abjectly frightened because that
terrible chapter of his past life was to be
laid bare. He would hear what these
men had To say. Afterward he would
consider what best TO be done. He
was strong enough to hold his own. He
had influence. power and the security of
an established position He had the
choice OF many weapons.
There was knock at the door. The
servant with some hesitation, notwith-
standing his orders ushered in the two
expected guests.
The gentlemen whom yolIr lordship
was expecting" he announced
Marcel and Pierre entered. They both
wore long coats buttoned UP to their
throats. They both carried bowler hats
IN their hands. They were both glove
less. The door closed behind them. The
recedins footsteps of the servant were
heard. Then Marcel, who had been
breathing softly but thickly since his en-
trance. clenching his teeth. obviously mt
war with storm OF passions, broke
ioose
Marquis of dillingham;" he cried
Lord dillingham;. indeed The mansion
o. my LORD dillingham;. The butler of
IN: Lord f.llingham. Look at mel
He threw open his coat. His blue serge
:uit VAS ragged aud Shiny, his linen
:rayed and soiled.
Look at me- he exclaimed. Me, 4
vicomte OF thirteen generations an arts
tocrat. fresh from the convict prison. DO
you know what I have been through?