The Washington herald., 1912-08-25


Peter Ruff just the same-still the mos
delightful scamp who has been given Il
recent fiction. and not altogether g
scamp at that.
His adventures are told by the master
of all tellers Of mystery tales Their
will be ten stories-each complete in It
self Here's the fifth. The sixth. en-
titled The Mission of Maj. Kosuth,
will appear next Sunday.
1ETER, Baron de Grost, was en-
joying what he had confidently
l. looked forward to as an even
ing's relaxation, pure and simple He
sat in one of the front rows of ths
- stalls of the Alhambra, his wife by hi:
side and an excellent cigar IN HI:
mouth. An hour or so ago he hac
been in telephone communication with
Paris, had spoken with Sogrange him.
self, and received his assurance OF Z
calm in political and criminal affair:
amounting almost to stagnation.
The place was Packed-some said
owing to the engagement of Andrea
Korust and his brother, others to the
presence of Mdlle Sophie Celaire iT
her wonderful danse des ApacheS. The
violinist that night had a great recep-
ton. Three times he was called before
the curtain Slim, with the worn face
and hollow eyes of a genius, he stood
and bowed his thanks, but when he
thought the time had arrived, he disap-
peared, and though the house shook for
minutes afterward, nothing could per-
suade him to reappear.
Afterward came the turn which, not
withStandIng the fuToTe caused by An
drea Korust's appearance, was general
ly considered to be equally responsible
for the packed house-the Apache dance
of Mdlle Sophie Celaire Peter sa;
slightly forward in his chair as the cur
tain went up. For time he seemed
utterly absorbed by the performance.
Violet glanced at him once or twice Gu
riously
You have seen her before-this
Mdlle. celaire?" she whispered.
Peter nodded.
Yes he admitted. 81 have seen
her before"
The dance proceeded. 1t was like
many others of its sort, only little
more daring, a little more finished.
Mdlle. Celaire. in her tight-fitting
shabby black frock, with her wild mass
of hair. her flashing eyes, her seductive
gestures, was, without doubt, a mar
Vicious person. Peter. Baron de Grost,
watched her every movement with abb
sorbed attention. Even when the cur
tain went down he forgot to slap. His
eyes followed her off the stage.
Violet shrugged her shoulders. He
leaned a little toward her His lips
were parted; he was about to make a
statement or a confession. Just then a
tall commissionaire leaned over from
behind and touched him on the shoul-
der
For Monsieur lie Baron de Grost,"
he announced, handing Peter note.
Peter glanced toward his wife.
You permit me?" he murmured,
breaking the seal.
Violet shrugged her shoulders ever
so slightly Her husband was already
absorbed in the few lines hastily
scrawled across the sheet of note pa
per which he held in his hand
A Monsieur lie Baron de Grost. A
N Dear Monsieur lie Baron, n
q Come to my dressing-room, r.
- without fail, as soon as you l.
receive this.
Sophie Celaire.
Violet looked over his shoulder.
The hussy!" she exclaimed, indlg-
nantly
Her husband raised, his eyebrows.
With his forefinger he merely tapped
the two numerals.
The Double-Four she gasped.
He looked around and nodded. The
commissionaire was waiting. Peter
took up his silk hat from under the
seat.
If I am detained. DEAR" he whis
pered, you'll! make the best of it, won't
you? The car will be here and Fred
erick will be looking out for you
She nodded brightly and Peter took
his departure He passed through
door on which was painted private"
and through a maze of scenery and
stage hands and ballet ladies by a devil
Gus route to the region of the dressing
rooms. His guide conducted him to
the door of these and knocked.
"Entrez, Monsieur" shrill feminine
voice replied.
Peter entered and closed the door
behind him. The commissionaire re-
manned outside Mademoiselle Celaire
turned to greet her visitor.
1T is few words l desire with you
as quickly as possible. If you please,
Monsieur lie Baron" she said, advanc-
ing toward him. Listen. You sup
with HE to-night-you are my CUES"
He hesitated.
y am very much honored." he muir
INJURED. 1T is an affair of urgency,
then? Mademoiselle will remember
that | am not alone here"
She threw out her hands scornfully.
They told me in Paris that you were
a geniusI' she exclaimed. Cannot you
feel, then, when thing is urgent? Do
you not know it without being told !!
You must meet me with carriage at
the stage door in forty minutes. We
sup in Hamilton Place with Andrea
Korusr and his brother"
With whom" Peter asked, sur
prised.
with the Korust brothers" she re-
peated 81 have just been talking tot
Andrea. He calls himself Hungarian.
Bah! They are as much Hungarian,
those young men, as | ann
Peter leaned slightly against the table |
and looked thoughtfully at his COM
panion. He was trying to remember
whether he had ever heard anything |
of these young men.
"Mademoiselle," he said, the pros
pect of partaking of any meal in your
company is in itself enchanting, but /
do not know your friends. the korust
brothers Apart from their wonderful