The Washington herald., 1912-08-11

multitude, in danger of death, or worse
at any moment-their idol, their hero
And again, as the memories came food.
| ing into his brain, the scene passeS
+, away, and he saw the bare room viii
its whitewashed walls and blocked-uf
| windows; he felt the darkness, lit only
by those Pickering candles. He saw
the white, passion wrung faces of thu
men who clustered together around tht
rude table, waiting; he heard their muir.
murs, he saw the fear born in theil
eyes, It was the night when their lead
er did not come.
Benadine poured himself out . gias,
of wine and drank it slowly. tn,
mists were clearing away now. H,
was in London, At the Savoy Restau.
rant, and within few yards of him sal
| once had rung-the man hailed by some
most hendish Judas who ever drew
with the moral side of this strange en-.
counter. How best TO use. his knowl-
edge of this mans identity was the
question which beat upon his brain
What use could be made Of him. what
profit for his country and himselfs And
then fear-a sudden, startling fear.
Little profit, perhaps, to be made, but
the danger-the danger of this man
alive with such secrets locked in his
bosom! The thought itself was terrify-
ing, and even as he realized It a sig
nihcant thing happened-he caught the
eye of the Baron de Grost, lunching
alone at small table just inside the
restaurant
Lady Maxwell sighed.
"He is peculiar-looking man." she
said, but one could put up with .
good deal for jewels like that. What
are you doing this afternoon-picture
galleries or your club?'
Neither, unfortunately" Bernadine
answered. 81 have promised to go with
a friend to look at some polo ponies"
She shrugged her shoulders but said
nothing. She had an idea that she was
being dismissed, but Bernadine, with
out the least appearance of hurry, gave
her no opportunity for any further sug-
gestions. He handed her into her auto
mobile, and returned at once into the
restaurant He touched Baron de Grost
upon the shoulder.
my friend, the enemyi" he exclaim-
ed smiling.
"At your service in either capacity"
the baron replied.
Bernadine made a grimace and ac-
cepted the chair which de Grost had
indicated.
IF I may, 1 will take my coffee with
you," he said Il am growing old. II
does not amuse me so much to lunch
with a pretty woman. One has to en-
tertain, and one forgets the serious
business of lunching. / will take my
coffee and cigarettes in peace"
De Grost gave an order to the waiter
and leaned back in his chair.
Now" he suggested, tell me exact
ly what it is that has brought you back
into the restaurant" 80
Bernadine shrugged his shoulders.
why not the pleasure of this few
minutes conversation with your" he
asked.
They chatted upon various matters
De Grost himself seemed in no hurry
to depart, nor did his companion show
any signs of impatience. II was not un-
til the two people whose entrance had
had such remarkable effect upon Ber-
nadine, rose to leave, that the mask
was, for moment lifted. De Grost
had called for his bill and paid it. The
two men strolled out together.
Baron" Bernadine said, suayely,
linking his arm through the other mans
as they passed into the foyer, there
are times when candor even amongst
enemies becomes an admirable quality"
De Grost merely shrugged his shoul-
ders. Bernadine persisted.
"("nrna " he rN~,fto,,sI
doubt me, let me be the first to give
you a proof that on this occasion, at any
rate, ! am candor itself You had a |
purpose in lunching at the Savoy to-
day. That purpose / have discovered
by accident We are both interested |
IN those people"
The Baron de Grost shook his head |
slowly.
Really" he began
Let me finish," Bernadine insisted |
Perhaps when you have heard all that
have to say, you may change your at
itude. We are interested in the same |
people, but in different ways. If we
10Th move from opposite directions, our
friend will vanish-he is clever enough |
IT disappearing. as he has proved be-
lore. We do not want the same thing
from him, l am convinced of that. Let
IS move together and make sure that
lie does not evade u.s."
De Crost looked across the palm court |
o where the two people who formed
he subject of their discussion were sit
ing in corner, both smoking, both
iipping some red-colored liqueur.
"My dear Bernadine," he said, "I am
much too afraid of you to listen any
more You fancy because this mans
presence here was an entire surprise to
'ou. and, because you find me already
IN his track, that / know more than
,ou do and that an alliance with me
would be to your advantage. You
would try to persuade me that your OBJ
ect with him would not be my object.
listen. am afraid of you-you are
90 clever for me- am going to leave
'ou in sole possession"
De Grosts tone was final and his
'ow valedictory. Bernadine watched
lin enter the cloakroom, from which
le emerged with his hat and overcoat,
watched him step into his automobile
nd leave the restaurant. He turned
'ack with a clouded face, and threw
imself into an easy chair.
Ten minutes passed uneventfully
People were passing backward and for
rard all the time, but Bernadine,
through his half-closed eyes, did little
ave watch the couple in whom he was
o deeply interested At last the man
ose, and, with word of farewell to
is companion, came out from the
,unge, and made his way up the foyer, |,