The Washington herald., 1912-08-25
few days it will have passed. And

II you WOulQ really Ike 10 see Illc,
she whispered. "and if you are sure
that Mademoiselle Celaire would not
object, could you not ask me to tea to-
moreover the next day."
Tomorrow Peter insisted, with
becoming show of eagerness. Shall
I'VE say at the Carlton at fve?'
"hTe Carlton at FIVE" she murmur-
ed. Il am angry with Andrea. feel.
even, that | could break his wonderful
violin in twop
Peter sighed once more.
Il should like to twist Won Hern's
neck" he declared. Lucky for him
that he's in St. Petersburg! Let lis for
get this unpleasant matter, modemoi-
selle. The evening has been too de-
lightful for such memories
Mademoiselle Celaire turned to her
escort eagerly as soon as they were
alone together III the car.
"As an escort. let me tell you, my
dear baron" she exclaimed, with some
pique. that you are a miserable fail
ure! For the rest
For the rest, / will admit that
am puzzled" Peter said. Il need to
think. l have the glimmerings OF an
idea-no more"
You will act? 1t is an affair for
us-for the Double-Four
Without a doubt-an affair and a
serious one" Peter assured her. Il
shall act; exactly how cannot say
until after Tomorrow"
Tomorrow she repeated inquir-
ingly.
Mile Korust takes tea with me-" he
explained
In quiet sort Of way. the series Of
supper parties given by Andrea Korust
became the talk of London. Apart from
the wonderful outpouring of talent, An
drea Korust himself seemed to possess
the peculiar art of bringing into touch
with one another people naturally in
terested in the same subjects.
On the night after the visit of Peter,
Baron de Grost, his grace the Duke of
Russhire was present, the man in whose
hands lay the destinies of the British
navy; and, curiously enough. on the
same night. great French writer on
naval subjects was present, whom the
duke had never met. and with whom he
was delighted to talk for some time
apart. On another occasion. the MILL
tary secretary 10 the French embassy
was able to have long and instructive
chat with distinguished English gen.
ersl on the subject OF the recent ma
neuvers, and the latter received. in the
strictest confidence, some very interest
ing information concerning the new
type OF French guns.
On the following evening. the great
est of our Colonial statesmen, a red-hot
lmperialist. was able to chat about the
resources of the empire with an Eng
lish politician OF similar views whom
he CHANGED never to have previously
met Altogether, these parties seemed
to be the means OF bringing together a
series of most interesting people, inter
esting not only in themselves, but in
their relations TO one another.
1t was noticeable. however, that from
this side of his little gatherings An
drea korust remained wholly apart. He
frankly admitted that music and cheer
ful companionship were the only two
things in life he cared for. Politics or
matters of world import seemed to
leave him unmoved. If a serious sub
Ject of conversation were started at
supper time. he was frankly bored. and
took no particular pains 10 hide the
fact 1t is certain that whatever inter
esting topics were alluded TO in his
presence, he remained entirely outside
any understanding OF them. Mile.
Celaire. who was present most even
ings, although with other escorts, was
entirely puzzled.
The seventh and last OF these famous
supper parties was in full swing. Pale
as a marble statue. with the covert
smile OF the gracious host, Andrea
korust sat at the head of his table. well
pleased with his company, as indeed
he had the right to be- By his side
was a great American statesman. who
was travelling round the world, and yet
had refused all other invitations OF
this sort. He had come for the pleas
ure OF meeting the famous Dutch writ
er and politician. Mr.. Van Jool. The
two were already talking intimately. 1t
was at this point that tragedy, or some
thing like it, interviewed. A mans i'm
patient voice was heard in the hall out
side. a mans voice which grew louder
and louder. more impatient, finally
more passionate People raised their
heads to listen. The American states
man. who was, perhaps, the only one
to realize exactly what was coming,
slipped his hand into his pocket and
gripped something cold and hard. Then
the door was flung open. An apollo
getic and much disturbed butler made
the announcement which had evidently
been demanded of him.
Mr. Won TassenI'
A silence Observation-Disclosures
silence before the bursting OF the storm.
Mr.. Won Tassen was the name of the
American statesman, and the man who
rose slowly from his place by his hosts
side was the exact double of the man
who stood now upon the threshold, gaz-
ing in upon the room. The expression
of the two alone was different. The
newcomer was furiously angry, and
looked it. The sham Mr.. Won Tassen
was very much at his ease. 1t was he
who broke the silence, and his voice
was curiously free from all trace of
emotion. He was looking his double
over with an air of professional inter-
est.
"On the whole" he said, calmly, very
good. A little stouter. l perceive, and
the eyebrows trihe, regular. OF
course, when you make faces at me
like that, it is hard to judge of the ex-
preston. / can only say that l did the
best l could"
"Who the devil are you, masquerad-
ing in my name?' the newcomer de-
manded, with emphasis. This man
is an impostor~ he added, turning to
Andrea Korust. What is he doing at
your tablet"
- I.. fo-,,-,,J ,,J HE Tara