The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1914-01-11
The First Adventures at the Villa
De Cap Frinet
By E. Phillips Oppenheim

Fritz" he said. "the automobile
which Mr.. Wing ordered is in waiting?"
But certainly, sir. 1t has been here
for at least an hour"
ANY one going away by the omni-
bus this morning?" Mr.. Laxworthy
asked carelessly.
Mr.. Lenfield and Mr.. Hamar. sir"
Fritz replied. They are going on to
Monte Carlo for few days"
About fifty yards away Mr.. Lenfield,
looking very CHASTITY and worn. was
leaning back in an invalid chair with his
friend by his side. over his $. oulder
he had glanced more thar once at Mr.
I.axworthy reading and writing il his
| corner.
II can't stand that man." he muttered
hoarsely. There's something about
him that paralyzes me. He sits and
watches and waits like a spider"
His companion laughed.
That's all rubbish Philip" he de-
| clared. "He did you good turn the
other night. anyway"
"A good turn" he muttered. "How
do / know that? The end was very
ncar-the end of the journey. Hamar.
why not? one wearies these days"
His friend looked at him reproach-
fully.
philip" he protested. "this isn't like
YOU. Brace up. Remember there is
work before us. II you can sit here
before we start and feel your heart wax
faint. what will ii he when the timr
comes?"
The large white motor omnibus cam.
pulling up to the front and was soon
| crowded with little groups of the guests
ON their way down to the town. Mr..
Hamar and his companion were the only
two who had any luggage. The pro-
prietor of the hotel came out to wish
them good morning.
at is only for two or three days" Mr.
liamar declared. shaking hands. you
will see that our rooms are undisturbed?
I thought that fiutter at the tables
might brighten up our young friend"
The omnibus started of. From behind
the glass enclosed space where Mr.. Lax
worthy sat taking his sun bath he
watched until 1t became speck in the
distance. Then he carefully closed his
volume. put his notebook into his pocket
and rose to his feet. As though his
doing so We're some sort Of signal his
two friends suddenly appeared upon tn.
scene.
so our friends have gone to Monte
Carlo to try the tables Forrest Ander-
son said thoughtfully.
Mr.. LaXworthy looked at the little
cloud Of dust, now faint In the distance.
"They are gone. l think" he muir
INJURED. "to play for larger stakes than
Monte Carlo knows Of. Is everything
ready?"
sydney Wing nodded and passed
through the swing doors on his way to
the back of the hotel a few moments
later he reappeared in the avenue, driv-
ing a large and handsome touring car,
which he piloted to the front Of the
hotel. Mr.. Laxworthy permitted him
self to be wrapped in a fur coat, al
though he still insisted upon the shawl
around his shoulders.
NJ. Renaultin, real estate agent.
lessor Of villas-furnished or unfur-
nshed--auctianeer and valuer. closed
his ledger that morning with a little
sigh.
lie had carefully closed the door and
was standing upon the step leading into
his office when n great touring car
came haltingly along the street. the
driver looking from left to right.
NJ. Renaultln was Immediately upon
the alert. a direction was almost
equivalent to an introduction an intro
duction might lead to business.
1.-THE gentlemen desire?" he asked.
This is NJ. Renaultin?" sydney in
quired, raising his cap.
NJ. Renautin swept the pavement
with his own hat.
But certainly"
I'VE wish to inOuire about a villa"
Sydney announced.
NJ. Renaultin was instantly at his
best The three Englishmen were
ushered into his Office and comfortably
seated in the only three safe chairs.