Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-02-08
CHAPTER XIV.

Drink Ambrose muttered Hot,
fiery. plenty of It. Waiter, more brandy.
Bring the bottle
The man hesitated. Ambrose laid
sovereign upon the table.
do you think that I cannot pay? he
asked. rs. that why you hesitate? Or
do you think that I am drunk? Look at
my hand. It is steady enough. isn't it?
Bring me the brandy at once"
The man hurried away with a little
shrug of the shoulders. II his queer GUS
toner chose to drink too much it was not
his fault He was at least able to speak
clearly: he had no signs of approaching
drunkenness. Yet this was the NTH time
he had been served with brandy the last
twenty minutes.
1T is a mad dream" Ambrose muttered.
-Four million francs Is too small sum:
If the skies rained gold till one stood
knee deep in it. it were hard for such az
1 to wade through it to happiness: what
give it up? Shall we try the river. or
shall we turn our backs upon this cursed
country and let Christine gof'
Chicot yawned. Obviously the question
did not interest him. He had dined well.
much better than usual, and he would
have preferred that his master had chosen
to go straight home. Since 1t was not So
however, he was content to doze In the
warmth Of his masters pocket. The
waiter brought the bottle of brandy, and
Ambrose drank once more, not In sips,
but in quick. hurried gulps. The walters
made remarks about him to one another
as they passed to and fro. Ambrose had
very much the appearance of man who
which he was striving to forget. Marcel
and Pierre found him sitting there when
they arrived They paused for a mo-
ment by the door to look at him.
See" Pierre remarked: he has a,
drink brandy for nothing here"
Bah" Marcel answered. Does he not
still push the piano? Who could lead
such a dogs life If he possessed but a
pierre laid his hand upon his compan-
ions shoulder. ''Hush!" he said. lone
does not know In this sort Of place who
may listen. See, he is drinking. and he
mutters to himself. / think that he is
It is fortunate moment, this. II there
is truth to be wrung from him, now Is
the time
They approached the table and greeted
him noisily. Ambrose set down his glass
and looked at them for a moment as
though they had been strangers. Then
he struck the table before him with the
palm of his hand.
Marcel. PieTe!" he cried. Waiter.
bring glasses. These are friends of mine.
They will drink with me. How goes 1t,
my brave Marcel? Still free. I see. Long
may the fortune be with you.''
Marcel looked uneasily around mot
SO loud. fool" he said. AT this place
one never knows who listens. We are
here to talk with you.'
"Aad L." Ambrose declared, 81 am here
to listen. Speak on
They leaned across the table.
Listen Marcel said. Take your
thoughts back to one night. never mind
how long ago. when you hobbled and ran
by the side Of your piano, and the man
who now calls himself Lord Ellngham.
escaping in the clothes OF workman.
pushed the piano and ran by your side.
You three were there-the girl, Christine;
you and dillingham;"
Ambrose nodded. AYE. 1t Is true.' he
said. 1--WE three! Very soon. though.
we lost our companion. He crossed the
city with us and he fitted away. We saw
no more of him till a few weeks ago"
Another question" Marcel said. lean
ing across the table. at is about the
piano..
1.-The piano?" Ambrose repeated. star
ing at his questioner. What OF it,"
"You have it with you now, in Lon
DOM"
"Of course Ambrose answered. How
else could one live? There is no bread
lying in the streets here. no brandy to be
given away. And brandy" he muttered,
''is a good thing. a very good thing
1T is the same instrument" Marcel
persisted. 'You have not changed it."
Changed it? Why should IT, Ambrose
answered. st was made. for me. The
KEYS are worn, but the inside IL good. 1t
keeps in tune. Why should / change it?'