Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-02-08

face appeared in one of the upper win
dows. / nodded pleasantly. but. To my
amazement, she turned away without tue
slightest sign of recognition. Here wa
one, at least, to whom my actions were
not pleasing. l tried to persuade MYSELF
that her opinion of me was Of no conse
Quence. but the attempt was by no means
successful. I followed Pierre across the
porch In q curiously cynical state of mind
The room which we entered. opening
broad oblong through the center of the
house. and again l was struck by the
marked sense OF its comfort and ease.
Lounging chairs and richly carved ia
bles. with their homely array of orna
ments, dotted the floor In profusion: we'll
filled bookshelves lined the lower walls.
and above them I could dimly make out
one or two marine paintings OF no mean
workmanship. turned to Pierre with ~
exclamation OF wonder.
'Zis Is re living ROOM he explained.
where We all may come. In zere"-he
pointed to the left-"ze Haywards live.
An here. on re ozzer side. are re mems
quarters
"Ze dining room and kitchen" He set
his basket down. ''If m'sieu' will wait
go call M'sieu' Hayward"
l nodded. and he disappeared through
one Of the doors on the left. turned
to the nearest table and looked idly Over
an old pile OF magazines. The one at the
bottom seemed newer than the rest. and
drew 1t out to examine ii more closely
1t was the latest issue.
threw il down with smile of amuse-
ment. Sylvia's ubiquitous fisherman must
have paid them recent visitor perhaps
it had been taken from the yacht. l was
reaching over to pick it up again when a
door creaked open and l swung around
half guiltily. The burly giant whom
had seen on the beach came forward TO
meet me with extended hand.
welcome to my home. Mr.. Rehfrew."
he said, heartily. You must excuse my
belated hospitality. but TO tell the truth
hardly knew what to do with you when
mo excuse is necessary l returned.
The unexpected guest should always
take pot-liick."
He laughed. you put it nicely.
hope Sylvia has looked after your com
fort"
In every respect. I feel quite At
home.''
Good / would ask you down here.
but you see
I'D rather stay up at the hut. if You
don't mind. l broke in. hastily. and. in
deed. with the thought of the murderous
crew which the house contained. l WAS
only speaking the truth.
He seemed relieved at my decision.
Just as you wish. I'll have Pierre carry
up few bits Of furniture 10 MAKE the
place more livahle. OF course, you'll take
your meals with u.s.
His words sounded more like COM
mand than an invitation. ''Of course"
echoed. lamely.
He beamed on me. You must consider
the house open to you at all times"
You're very good. And until l car
make some arrangements to leave the
island"
Leave the island? But surely you don't
intend to desert US, Mr.. Renfrew-at least
for a while
I looked at him in surprise Il have my
business to attend to-
"Oh. yes-naturally. But, for the pres
ent. you know-you'd be so much safer
here
Safer 1 repeated. I'm afraid don't
understand
Don't you? Well. of course, you're the
better judge
He motioned toward divan. and as we
seated ourselves he offered me box of
cigars. I chose one. and for moment
or SO we smoked in silence. my mind
vainly striving to make sense out OF the
conversation. His eyes studied me with
an amused CLEAN.
(To be continued tomorrow)