The Washington herald., 1912-09-15

q really WlSneQ Teilrc-hc JoLlco eAic
Double-Four. Now, perforce, he comes
out of retirement It is true, he comes
out in a new guise. His field of activity
lies in different sphere, but he is stin
Peter Ruff just the same-still the most
delightful scamp who has been given to
recent fiction, and not altogether a scamp
at that.
His adventures are told by the master
of all tellers OF mystery tales. There
will be ten stories-each complete In IT.
self. Here's the eighth. The ninth. en-
titled 'The Affair of an Alien society,"
will appear next Sunday.
fSTATE may now," Sogrange re-
w marked, buttoning up his
" ulster and streaching him
self out to the full extent
of his steamer chair, consider our
selves at sea- / trust, my friend, that
you are feeling quite comfortable"
Peter, Baron de Grost, lying at his
ease upon a neighboring chair, with
pillow behind his head, huge fur coat
around his body, and a rug over his
feet, had all the appearance of being
very comfortable indeed. His reply
however, was a little short-almost
peevish.
81 am comfortable enough for the
present, thank you. Heaven knows how
long it will lastp
Sogrange waved his arms toward the
great uneasy plain of blue sea, the
showers of foam leaping into the SUM-
light, away beyond the disappearing
coast of France.
Last" he repeated. For eight days,
l hope Consider, my dear baron!
What would be more refreshing, more
stimulating TO our jaded nerves than
this?"
That is all very WE'LL" Peter pro-
tested, but l have left several other
things behind, too"
AS, for instance?" Sogrange in
quired, genially.
my wife" Peter informed him.
Violet objects very much to these
abrupt separations. This week, too, l
was shooting at Saxthorpe Besides, /
have reached that age when find it
disconcerting to be called out of bed in
the middle of the night to answer a
long-distance telephone call, and told
to embark on a White Star liner leav-
ing Liverpool early the next morning.
1t may be your idea of pleasure trip.
II isn't mine"
Sogrange was amused.
Anything else?"
Nothing much. except that l am
always seasick," Peter replied, deliber-
ately
Sogrange laughed softly, but without
disguise.
WHO said anything about pleasure
trip" he demanded
Peter turned his head.
You did. You told me when you
came on at Cherbourg that you had to
go 10 New York to look after some
property there; that things were very
quiet in London, and that you hated
travelling alone. Therefore, you sent
for me at few hours notice"
rs that what ! told you?" Sogrange
murmured
Yes: Wasn't it .true?" Peter asked,
suddenly alert.
Not word of it." Sogrange ad-
mitted 1T is quite amazing that you
should have believed it for a moment"
Il was fool" Peter confessed. you
see was tired and little cross Be-
sides. somehow or other. | never asso-
ciated trip TO America with"
Sogrange interrupted him quietly but
ruthlessly.
Lift up the label attached to the
chair next to yours. Read it out to
me-"
Peter took it into his hand and
turned it over A quick exclamation
escaped him.
Great heavens! The Count Won
Hern-Bernadine!
Just So" Sogrange assented mice
clear writing, isn't it,"
Peter sat bolt upright in his chair
DO you mean to say that Bernadine
is on board?"
Sogrange shook his head
by the exercise, my dear baron" he
said, 'of superlative amount of in
genuity, was able to prevent that mis-
fortune. Now lean over and read the
label on the next chair.
Peter obeyed
la Duchesse della Nermino," he
announced
Sogrange nodded.
Everything just as it should be-" he
declared. Change those labels, my
friend, as quickly as you can Ii
Peters fingers were nimble. and the (;
thing was done in few seconds. Ii
so | am to sit next the Spanish
LADY," he remarked. feeling for his tie
Not only that. but you are TO make h
friends with her." Sogrange replied
rs she, !" Peter asked, anxiously, "old {
or young?"
Not old" Sogrange answered; Ger
tainly not old. Fifteen years ago she S
was considered to be one of the most t
beautiful women in the world" /
The ladies of Spain" Peter re-
marked, with sigh, "are inclined to i
mature early =
'In some cases." Sogrange assured
him, there are no women in the world v
who preserve their good looks longer
You shall judge, my friend. Madame
comes! How about that seasickness
now?" I
Gone" Peter declared, briskly. v
An imposing little procession ap-
preached along the deck. There was c
the deck steward leading the way; a I
very smart French maid carrying a v
wonderful collection of wraps, cushions S
and books; black-browed, pallid man.
servant. holding a hot water bottle i
in his hand, and leading tiny Pekin- v
ese spaniel wrapped in sealskin coat, v
and, finally Madame Ia Duchesse.
The duchesse, save that she was tall / t
and wrapped in magnificent furs, pre-
sented somewhat mysterious appear
ance. Her features were entirely OBJ S
scured by an unusually thick veil of
black lace, and the voluminous nature |,
of her outer garments only permitted v
SUSPICION as to her figure which was s