Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-03-30

key. You don't know women so well as l
do, Mr.. Smart. Both of these charming
ladies professed to adore Pless's wife up to
the time the trial for divorce came up. Now
they've got their hammers and hatpins out
for her and"
THAT isn't true, Billy Smith" cried Elsie
in fierce whisper. 1--WE stood by her until
she disobeyed the mandate-or whatever
you call it-of the court. She did steal the
child, and you can't deny it.
"Poor little Kiddy!" said he, and from his
tone | gathered that all was not rosy in the
life of the infant in this game of battledore
and shuttlecock.
To my disgust, the three of them refused
to enlighten me further as to the history,
identity, or character of either Pless or Mrs.
Pless; but of course | knew that was enter
tanning under my roof, by the most extraor-
binary coincidence, the Count and Countess
of Something or Other, who were at war,
and the child they were fighting for with
motives of an entirely opposite nature.
Right or wrong, my sympathies were with
the refugee in the lonely east wing. l was
all the more determined now to shield her
as far as it lay in my power to do so, and to
defend her if the worst happened.
DLESS tossed his cigarette over the railing
and sauntered over to join us. u sup
pose you've been discussing the view" he
said as he came up. There was mean smile
on his handsome face, and the two ladies
started guilty..
provements about the castle, Mr.. Pless,
said 1 with so much directness that l felt
Mrs. Billy Smith arm stiffen and suspected
general tension of nerves from head to foot.
"You shouldn't spoil the place, Mr.
Smart said he, with careless glance about
him. "What time do we dine?"
"At eight" said Elsie promptly.
II think L Il take a nap" said he With
languid smile and little faunt of his hand
as if disrnissing us, he moved languidly off;
but stopped after few steps to say to me,
well explore the castle tomorrow, Mr.
Smart, if it's just the same to you. | know
Schloss Rothhoefen very well. 1t is an old
stamping ground of mine.
aIndeed!" said l, affecting surprise.
II spent very joyous season here not so
many years ago. Hohendahl is bosom
| friend"
When he was out of hearing Billy Smith
leaned over and said to me, "He spent his
honeymoon here, old man. 1t was Elsie's
idea to bring him here to assuage the pres
ent with memories of the past. Quite
pretty sentiment.
a FIER dinner was eager to steal away
\ to the east wing with the news. My
nervousness must have been outrageously
pronounced; for Smith said to me at nine
sixteen with polite conviction in his smile:
"You seem to have something on your
mind, old chap"
II have, old fellow said I, immensely re-
heved by his perspicuity. Il ought to get
off five or six very important letters to
He interrupted me with a genial wave of
his hand. run along and get EN- off," he
said. @Dont mind me. III look over the
magazines.
Ten minutes later l was sneaking up the
interminable stairways in the sepulchral
east wing. Poopendyke stood guard below
at the padlocked doors, holding the keys.
He was to await my signal to reopen them;
but was not to release me in any circum-
stances if shoppers were abroad.
Somewhat timorously l knocked at the
Countess door. After waiting five minutes
and then knocking again SO loud that the
sound reverberated through the empty halls
with sickening clatter, I heard someone
fumbling with the bolts. The door opened
an inch or two.
The Countess maid peered out at me.
"Tell your mistress that must see her at
once
MADAME is not at home, Monsieur" said
the young woman.