Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-01-26

of his knowledge and belief, he had before
he had undertaken his society work.
This about thirtyfive years old, of medium
height slender build, clean shaved and with brown hair
and eyes. When he first realized that this had in
voluntarily aroused his curiosity, he remembered that
he had noticed him at nearly every social function he
had attended in the last fortnight 1t not exactly
attraction that he felt toward the stranger, who, in
outward aspect at least not unlike thousand other
He pqued at his inability to define the feel
ing. In kind of subconsciOus way he felt almost that
this man, whOmSOever he might be- was IN some way
bound up with his life. Intuition was the nearest
word he could find for this attitude and Ryker shrank
from such mental lnCertltudeS.
Nevertheless, he continued his furtve observations
of the other and as time passed he noted that the
stranger rarely absent from any important event.
He learned easily enough that the mans
Chappele; but was unable to find anyone who could
tell him more than that. Moreover, he observed that
Chappee also refraned from making himself consplcu-
No matter what the house or the OCCASION he
seemed to know few persons with any degree of init
macy. Even the host and hostess perfunctory
when they greeted him; although OF course, invariably
polite AS Ryker began marshal these rather vague
impressions in his mind, he perceived further that
Chappele did invite conversation and that several
times when he addressed he appeared to be trfe
i'll at
How they became acquainted he could never recall
definitely. He rather fancied that Chappelle had
costed him first; but all he knew that there had
been cursOry exchange of mods, and then they were
talking small talk. Chappelles manner of re-
fnement, and Ryker discovered in his comment a
slight vein of which appealed to him because
of his own tendency in that direction But he could
shake off the sensation that he going to know
this WELL and that he going to exercise potent
influence on his life Whether this to be sinister
benefcent he could not tell but he relaxed his
study of his new acquaintance. He watched him from
every angle, appraised the quality of his conversation
impressed his face and figure on his mind with photo
graphic accuracy. STILL he could find nothing to help
dissolve that vague and troubling cloud.
In point of fact, there nothing about Chappelle
to inspire either suspicion curiosity and the know
edge of this rritated Ryker still more. He fanced that
the fellow parted every adrot question he put in the
hope of finding something about him. but he might
be of reticent nature. AS he studied the Cear-cut
features and closely shaved chin he he had
encountered him any of his earlier activities
And he equally the not what he as
sumed to be. But who was he? Who was he?
DYKERS luck was with him. In all these weeks he
~ had made it point never to be far away from
Chappee whenever they met and one night he so con-
trved it that they left musical reception together
1t had been a tame affair, and the evening still
young As they walked up the avenue together the
talk turned to books which they had discussed Often
and Chappele mentioned edition he had just
picked up. Ryker betrayed enthusiastic interest, and
Chappec suggested that they drop at his apartments
which a side street not far away, and have
look at some curious volumes he had there They could
also have a smoke and drink and quiet chat.
Ryker stiled his establishment and his exultation
He felt that the mystery about to be solved. What
it might be he could not imagine but at all events his
curiosity would be satisfied. Chappcc, it developed
occupied only 1t the top floor of
oldfashiOned apartment house. Ryker made quick
survey his host ushered him in. There a cle
phone the wall and the rest of the space filled
with crowded bookshelvcs screen obviously concealed
a ed-couch, and there few chairs two of which
faced each other small table, Uttered with books
and papers in the middle Of the A few pictures
and odds and ends made up the Apparently it