The Washington herald., 1912-10-20

examination CollingwoOd entered from
his apartment He had heard the voices
and knew about what fhe situation was.
"Hullo. Admas'oh. e said cordially
and naturally.
tightly clasped behind his back His
figure stiffcned unconsciously as he pre-
pared to question the man, who. he be-
iieved, had done him the greatest wrong
that one man can do another.
We'll, Collingwood." he said in crisp
tones, Il thought ! would run over and
see you"
Collingwood lit a cigarette and care
lessly threw leg across the corner of
the table.
How did you know we were here?"
he inquired. with mild curiosity.
Through a friend" was the short
reply. There was a little pause and
then Ellerdine houndered to an idea
that seemed to him to require more
light.
That's very funny. !Admaston,' he
explained. We didn't know it our
selves"
''You surprise me-" returned the
other coldly. Didn't you know you
were going to Paris
"Of course. we didn't know" declared
the lady.
Then how on earth could your
friend know demanded his lordship.
That is what | want to know re-
piled Admission. with toucn OF grim
ness. "But-why are you all up so
early?'
Mrs. Admission thought she'd like
to go out for drive in the Bois.' ex-
planned Collingwood. Admission wheel
ed on his heels sharply.
Mrs. Why Mrs. Admaston, Why
so ceremonious. Colling?' he asked in
a low tone. why not Peggy"
Collingwood leaned forward with a
slightly embarrassed laugh and flecked
the ashes off his cigarette.
Il don't know" he replied. Il thought
perhaps you were offended"
offended" echoed the other in
well-acted surprise rs there any rea-
son why should be offended?'
Certainly not" declared Lord FL
lerdine And he sank on the fender
with mighty yawn.
Good gracious, what an idea~ ex-
claimed Lady Atwill, with little
shivcr
Admission TUNED his FIRE on Dicky
again. He studied his face for few
moments and then remarked suddenly.
"Ellerdine. you ought not to sit up so
late. You look very shaky this morn
ing"
Dicky rose for the fy without a
thought DO |. old man. he said
with a weary air. The blasted jour
ney--" Then he suddenly caugh.
himself and broke of
ITO Paris?" suggested Adma ston.
"Ycs-yes s,ammcred his lordship.
rising hastily to hide his confusion. To
Paris"
Il don't think late suppers agree with
YOU" continued Admaston. holding
Dicky with his eye like snake fasci-
mating a bird With me-" echoed his
lordship. astonished He felt that there
could certainly be no danger here and
prepared 10 do battle.
With Dicky?' questioned the lady.
Late suppers?'
1T was we'll after midnight when he
had finished his supper said !Admas-
ton.
When" demanded Lady Attwill.
Last night
"Dickvr she exclaimed. why, he
didn't have any supper last night
Not bally mouthful.' protested his
lordship in injured tones
Admission appeared surprised. Why
Collingwood told me we'll after mid
night that you had all just finished sup
per-" he said
"Oh. that was a whopper." laughed
Lady Attwill. ~
"Oh-as. he didn't how" exclaimed
his lordshiP with a res Farins grin
Il though, not" cod Alfnented Adnas-
ton grimly But ypu all stayed here
last night?'
''Oh. lord. yes" declared. Dicky.
But no supper"
No supper
Your man. my lord. to see YOU
announced the waiter from the door
way. and Lord Ellerdine'S Solemn-faced
valet stalked into the room. .Admas-
ton withdrew toward the window and
stood with his back to the company
while Dicky met his servant near the
door and tried to make signs to him to
keep still.
Il telephoned to Chalons. my lord"
said the valet. ignoring the incomprc-
hensible signals. Admaston turned.
The railway people are quite sure they
put your dispatch box on the 2:l5 with
you and Lady Attwill.
Get out" erowled Dicky with a
savage glare.
My lord"
Dicky took step toward him. "Ge.
out" The man fled.
We'll. Ellerdinc.' said Admission.
unpleasantly cheerful. so your dispatch
box got on the wrong train. too: Quite
a chapter of accidcnts~
We'll. Peggy" said her husband. in
a coldly impersonal tone. Going out?'
Il was" was the low reply. as she
met his hard gaze.
Wait a moment.
"Ellerdine tells me that YOU all got
on the wrong train at Boulogne," he
began.
yes" said Peggy, in half-whisper
after a moments hesitation. She |
glanced swiftly from one face to an
other, trying to divine what had been
said. She could not betray her friends |
if they lied in a well-meant effort to |
save her embarrassment. The look did
not escape Admission.
You did,"
YES" said Peggy family.
And that he and Lady Attwill stay
ed at this hotel last night.'
.'Why. of course. We did. Admission !"
broke in his lordship with more in,
dignation that you would have thought |
he was capable of. Don't you believe
usT