The Washington herald., 1912-07-28

one big mistake in his career-if he evel
Double-Four. Now, perforce. he Gomez
out Of retirement 1t 10 true, he comes
out In a new guise. His field Of activity
lies in a different sphere. but he is still
Peter Run just the same-still the most
delightful scamp who has been given te
recent fiction, and not altogether q
scamp at that.
His adventures are told by the master
of all tellers Of mystery tales. There will
be ten stories-each complete in itself
Here's the first. The second, entitled
''The, Ambassadors Wife" will appear
next Sunday.
<fTT is the desire Of Madame tina,
you should join our circle here
l. on Thursday evening next al
10 O'Clock. Sogrange"
The man looked up from the shee.
of note paper which he held in his
hand and gazed through the open
French windows before which he was
standing. 1t was a very pleasant and
very peaceful prospect. There was his
croquet lawn, smooth shaven, the hoops
neatly arranged, the chalk mark firm
and distinct upon the boundary. Be-
yond, the tennis court, the flower gar
dens, and, to the left, the walled fruit
garden. A little farther away was the
paddock and orchard, and little far
ther still the farm, which for the last
four years had been the JOY of his life.
His meadows were yellow with butter
cups; a thin line of willows showed
where the brook wound its lazy way
through the bottom fields.
Peter Ruff stood like a man turned
to stone, for, even as he looked, these
things passed away from before his eyes,
the roar of the world beat in his cars
the world of intrigue, of crime, the
world where the strong man hewed his
way to power and the weaklings fell like
corn before the sickle
1T is the desire of madamc!'
Peter Ruff clencned his fists as he
stood there. 1t was message from a
world every memory of which had been
deliberately crushed, a world, indeed, in
which he had seemed no longer to hold
any place.
The rustic of woman's soft draperies
broke in upon his reverie. He turned
round with his usual morning greeting
upon his lips.
If country life had agreed with Peter
Ruff. it had transformed his wife. She
came smiling across the rooni-a dream
of white muslin and pink ribbons.
Another forage bill, my dear Peter?'
she demanded, passing her arm through
his. Put it away and admire my new
morning gown"
He pulled himself tigether-he had no
secrets from his wife.
Listen" he said and read aloud:
Rue de ST Quintaine, Paris,
Dear Mr.. Ruff:
1T is long time since we had the
pleasure of visit from you. 1t is the
desire of madame that you should join
our circle here on Thursday evening
next at 10 o'clock Sogrange.
Violet was little perplexed. She fai1-
ed. somehow, to recognize the sinister
note underlying those few sentences.
They won't expect you to take any
notice of it, surely?" she said. when
you bought this place, Peter, and left
your London Offices, you gave them
definitely to understand that you had re-
tired into private life, that all these
things were finished with you"
There are some things" Peter Ruff
said slowly, which are never finished"
But you resigned she reminded
him
From the Double Four" he an
swered, no resignation is recognized
save death"
you will not go. Peter? You will
not think of going?" she begged.
He twisted the letter between his fin
gers and sat down to breakfast.
No." he said, q shall not go. ="
That morning Peter Ruff spent upon
his farm, looking over his stock, exam
lining some new machinery, and talking
crops with his bailiff. In the afternoon
he played his customary round of golf
Two days later he received another
letter This time it was couched in diff
ferent terms. On a square card at the
top of which was stamped a small coro-
net, he read as follows:
"Mme. de Maupassim at home, Satur-
day evening. May ?, at 10 o'clock"
In small letters at the bottom left
hand corner were added the words:
"To meet friends"
Peter Ruff put the card upon the fire |
and went out for mornings rabbit |
with his keeper When he re-
turned luncheon was ready, but Violet |
was absent. He rang the bell.
"Where is your mistress, janet" he
asked the parlor maid.
The girl had no idea. Mrs. Ruff had
left for the village several hours ago,
since then she had not been seen. Peter
Ruff ate his luncheon alone, and un-
ierstood
f..