Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-06-25

"And this!'
"No, that's Greuze,' John explained.
Sorry smiled 10. "Greuze made SO
many heads, didn't he? Is the Lely next to
it genuine gTnl
as that a Velasquez, or a copy?" Hap
asked her, and indicated the disputed picture
before which we were sitting.
a don't know" 10 replied. I'D say she
chose her distance and looked at it long
time, "copy."
dts disputed John told her. give ex-
perts say it isn't: twelve say it is. Fred
Mr. Hazard believed it was an original and
bought it.:
"The old geezer used to brighten me when
| was kid, Hap remarked; but he doesn't
so-well, clean through, you know, 'baleful,'
a novelist would say. I'd call them watery
now" He regarded the old geezer snillngly.
pleasant looking customer, isn't he:?"
I'D hate to meet him up dark alley"
John laughed.
That's copy, isn't it, asked 10, and
pointed to picture on the opposite wall.
mo, real Vandvke," John replied.
"I'll quit guessing!" 10 exclaimed; but she
crossed the room and stood for long time
before the Eandyke.
aren't you afraid to leave all these
beautiful pictures here in the country" she
asked finally, coming back to where they
were.
"They are insured Hap answered.
Against fire or theft"
Fire. No one wants to steal them. No
one has an opportunity. I'd like to see a
thief get away with that big fellow! Jenkins
sits on the steps all winter with gun"
"Are they protected now9'
"Well, not with gun. There's no need
when we are here"
HAP tried the cardroom door as we de-
scended. 1t gave to his touch and
swung open. He switched on the lights and
looked about. The room was quite in order.
l couldn't see any cause for the pucker be-
tween his eyes, He lighted a cigarette and
smoked it thoughtfully as we descended the
stairs. He smoked where he pleased-he
had learned to put the ashes in his pocket.
Occasionally he would remove his cigarette
from his lips, regard the lighted end in
tently, then smile, or frown, and smoke
again. | watched the performance highly
amused.
"A clue, Monsieur Lecocqon / whispered.
I'm a fool, he replied. am letting my
imagination run away with me-"
a can prove an alibi this time, pursued
f1ippantly Il haven't been in the cardroom
for MONTH"
"Please don't, Dear he said quickly
He was quite serious about it. A silly
lump got into my throat. My feelings were
always near the surface when he was serious.
glanced up and met that look in his eyes
was never going to be able to take care of.
"Who locked the door, Burrows?" he
asked, when we reached the lower hall.
at wasn't locked, Sir
"You are quite sure Burrows?"
"Quite sure, Sir
@What was Thomas doing in the picture
gallery
Il didn't know he was there, Sir"
"How long has he been here, Burrows?"
"Since we came to the country, Sir"
Whatever else Hap intended to say was
not said. There was a commotion in the
drawing room, a scurrying of feet and the
overturning of chair Natalie had tainted
SOMEONE, Mrs. Higginson | believe it
was, was shrieking excitedly to get her
into the open air; but 10 reached her first,
stretched her on the floor, Topped her over,
and deity and quickly unlocked her dress
She gave Natalie's corset strings pull, and
released them. Hardly minute later Nata-
lie, with her head on JOS knee, opened her
H. |. -