The Washington herald., 1912-10-27
"A BUTTERFLY ON THE WHEEL = i
A Story for the Married and Those Who
Expect to Be, Written from the Great Play
of the Same Title. =: :: :: :: ::

YES" he replied uncertainty, the
smile remaining like a piece of wax
work, as he studied the open, innocent
face before him. He could not under
stand. The evidence against her left
no doubt of her guilt in his mind, and
yet-and yet He glanced down al
his notes, and when he looked up his
face was grave once more. did Mr.
Collingwood attend to the luggage al
Charing Cross Station-the luggage oi
the whole party, l mean?
Yes, l think he did, answered
Peggy.
do you think you would recognize
the porter who made the mistake"
Peggy looked dubious mo, don't
think so"
Don't you remember having a con-
versation with him."
"No." She shook her head slowly
Il don't remember"
"Your name was on the luggage in
full, wasn't it"
"Yes."
"Well, now, don't you remember hav-
ing q talk with him about your hus-
Peggy's face frightened with a quick
smile. "Oh, yes!" she exclaimed
Wasn't he a constituent"
Il think he was. At any rate, a
great admirer." said Sir Robert, turn
ing toward the rear of the court. will
Mr.. Stevens please stand up?"
A railway porter in the rear row OF
seats got slowly to his feet and every
body turned to look at him.
Now do you recognize him." in
quired Sir Robert
Peggy gazed for several moments
and frowned slightly.
Il can't say for certain" she said
But Il Mr. Stevens can swear tha,
he is the man with whom you had the
conversation"
Then he must be right" said Peggy
quickly
Mr. Menzies rose
"My client. Mr.. Collingwood. recog-
nizes the man, my lord" he said
There is no doubt about it."
The president podded. Very we'll
We shall have that later"
so that is the porter who made the
mistake" resumed Sir Robert. motion
ing to Stevens to take his seat. Would
you be very much surprised to hear
that your luggage and Mr. Colling-
woods was not registered upon the ex-
press instructions of MIR. Collingwood
and that the luggage belonging to Lord
Ellerdine and Lady Attwill was reg
is,ered through. also upon his ins,ruc-
tions?' he demanded sternly.
Mr.. Macarthur was up before Peggy
could reply.
This cannot be evidence against my
client. my lord" he protested Even
il Mr.. Collingwood was acting as her
agent. such instructions were clearly
outside his authority
Sir John gently waved his objection
aside. "One moment. Mr. Macarthur
he said.
IF il should turn out Mrs. Admas-
ton continued Sir Robert. that Mr.
Collingwood did give express instruc-
tons that your luggage should not be
registered. that, you say, was a.; not ac-
cording to your Instructions"
Peggys hpgers gripped the railing a
little harder
1T is incredible that he should have
given such instructions" she said in a
low voice
Incredible
A quick suspicion leaped into the
girls mind as she remembered her
talk with Pauline the night of her ar
rival in Paris; but it passed Instantly
Unless, she added and paused. Sir
John raised his head and looked at
her.
"Unless-unless what. Mrs. Admas-
TOM" pressed Sir Robert Peggy's
head was bowed and she bit her lip
but she did not reply.
There was an eNpectant hush. Every
eye was on her, eagerly waiting. Sir
Robert leaned forward with a touch OF
the dramatic in his manner and voice.
Shall | finish for you? Unless he
had made up his mind to give his
friends the slip at Boulogne and stay
the night with you in Paris. Is that
what you were going to say
Peggy looked up. little nervously.
"Yes, for the moment" she admitted.
until it struck me how absurd it
was"
NO doubt it would strike you as
equally absurd" Sir Roberts voice
rose, that Mr.. Collingwood had al
ready engaged rooms for himself and
a lady at the Hotel de Tuileries two
days before you left London? Or do
you think" he added, scornfully. 'the
rooms were engaged for some other
woman"
A stir and>a murmur ran along the
benches and Sir John frowned upon
the audience.
81 do not believe" said Peggy slow
ly and steadily, that the rooms were
engaged at all until we arrived"
"We shall no doubt hear on that
point from Mr.. Collingwood." said Sir
Robert grimly. 81 am to take it. then,
that you had no knowledge of the fact
that your luggage was not registered
and that you had no knowledge of the
fact that Mr.. Collingwood had already
engaged rooms for himself and a lady
before you left London"
CHAPTER Z.