The Washington herald., 1912-07-28

am instructed by the committee to ask
him not to come to the club again un-
til he has discharged his obligations
| De Grost smoked thoughtfully for a
few moments.
WELL he said, II suppose there is
no getting out of it. Don't rub it in
too thick. though. | mean to have a
talk with the boy afterward, and il
am satisfied with what he says, the
money will be all right"
Courtledge raised his eyebrows.
"You know, of course, that he has a
very small income and no expecta-
tions?"
Il know that" Baron de Grost an
swered
"At the same time, it is hard to for
get that he really is a member of the
royal house, even though the kingdom
lus small one" Courtledge remarked,
but there are something like five lives
between him and the succession. How
ever, its very good-natured of you,
Baron, to think of lending him a hand.
| III let him down as lightly as / can
You know him better than any one. l
wonder if you could make an excuse
to send him out of the room3 I'd
rather no one saw me talking to him"
| The Baron nodded
Quite easy" he said. '1'll manage
it"
The rubber was just finishing as de
Grost re-entered the room He touched
the young man, who had been the sub
Ject OF their conversation, upon his
| shoulder.
"My wife would like to speak to you
for moment" he said. "She is in the
other room"
Prince Albert rose to his feet. He
was looking very pale, and the ash
tray in front of him was Uttered with
cigarette ends
Il will go and pay my respects to the
baroness" he declared. 1T will change
my luck, perhaps. Au revoir"
| He passed out of the room and all
eyes followed him.
Has the prince been losing again to-
night" the baron asked
One of the three men at the table
shrugged his shoulders
| HE owes me about 500 pounds" he
said, "and, to tell you the truth. I'd
| really rather not to play any more. I
don't mind high points, but his doubles
are absurd"
| why not break up the table," the
| udIOi SESSCStCu. pDy Gail
| ly afford such stakes"
He strolled out of the room in time
to meet the prince. who was standing in
the corridor. A glance at his face was
| sufficient-the secretary had spoken. He
would have hurried off, but the baron
intercepted him.
You are leaving. prince" he asked
| Yes" was the somewhat curt reply.
Il will walk little way with you, if
| may" de Grost continued. my wife
! brought Lady Brownloe, and the
brougham holds only two comfortably"
! Prince Albert made no reply He
seemed just then scarcely capable OF
! speech. When they had reached the
! pavement, however. the baron took his
| arm.
My young friend" he inquired,
how much does it all amount to-"
The prince turned toward him with
darkening face.
You knew. then" he demanded.
that Mr.. Courtledge was going to
speak to me OF my debts"
Il was sorry to hear that it has be-
come necessary the baron answered.
You must not take it too seriously.
You know very well that at club like
the Berkeley, which has such a varied
membership, card debts must be set
tied on the spot"
Mine will be settled before midday
tomorrow" the young man declared,
sullenly. Il. am not sure that it may
not be tonight"
De Grost was silent for a moment
They had turned into Piccadilly. He
summoned taxicab.
DO you mind coming round to my
house and talking to me, for few
minutes :" he asked.
The young man hesitated.
'I'll come round later on" he sug-
gested. Il have call to make first
De Grost held open the door OF the
taxicab.
q want a talk with YOU" he said,
before YOU make that CALL
You speak as though you knew
where l was going, the prince re-
marked.
His companion made no reply, but
the door OF the taxicab was still open
and his hand had fallen ever so slight |
ly upon the others shoulder The
prince yielded to the stronger will. He
stepped inside.
They drove to Porchester Square in
silence The baron led the way through |
into his own private sanctum. He
closed the door carefully. Cigars, Gig
arettes, whisky, and soda, and liquors
were already upon the sideboard.
Help yourself, prince" he begged, |
"and then, if you don't mind, am 60
ing to ask you somewhat impertinent
question"
The prince drank the greater part of
a whisky and soda and lit a cigar
cite Then he set his tumbler down
and frowned.
Baron de Grost," he said. you have
been very kind to me since l have had
the pleasure of your acquaintance. II
hope you will not ask me any question |
that / cannot answer"
''On the contrary" his host declared,
''the question which | shall ask will be
one which it will be very much to your
advantage to answer ! will put it as
plainly as possible.
you are going, as you admit your
self. to pay your card debts tonight
or tomorrow morning, and you are
certainly not going to pay them out OF
Your income. Where is the money COM
ing from!"
Albert of Trent seemed suddenly to
remember that after all he was of royal |
descent He drew himself up and bore
himself, for moment, as a prince
should.
"p,,o, de Crost" he said "vou oass