The Washington herald., 1914-09-20

me to inspect his apartment"
Brooke looked grave.
Il suppose, then" he said hesitatinE-
ly, "he found the courage. Tell me what
really happened to him."
The tide turned" she answered slow
ly, "as / meant that it should. 1 stood
over him and l watched him lose-lose
all that he had won, all that he had with
him. Then l introduced him to Felix.
and Felix cashed his checks, one after
the other. up to the amount that the man
was worth"
You mean that he is ruined?"
Absolutely. To the last penny"
Brooke glanced at the photographs
upon the mantlepiece. One was a fam
lily group in which Hardways himself
was sitting in the garden with three chill
dren and his wife grouped around him.
1t was an MISUNDERSTANDING pic
ture. The princess looked at it through
her lorgnette.
DO you know" she said presently,
that l was very nearly in that picture?"
You were engaged to marry him."
Brooke ventured to ask.
Il was engaged to marry him." she
admitted. He threw me over. I was
only governess. His people were of
the small professional class. They con-
sidered that marriage with me would
have spoiled his chances. wonderT
She moved about restIessly for a min
ute or two. She beckoned. at last to
Brooke.
Come with me, please"
She led the way to her own apart
ments, magnificent suite upon the first
door. From her desk she handed him
= little packet
Il have discovered" she remarked,
your reputation. You are supposed to
be an amateur detective, are you nots
You will please find this man Hardways,
if he is alive, and give him this"
IF he is alive?" Brooke repeated
doubtfully.
She shrugged her shoulders.
1T is for you to discover" she said,
only her voice trembled a little.
On the following evening Brooke en-
tered the smoking-room of the Paradise
Hotel in Hyeres from which Hardways
had come. A familiar voice attracted
his attention almost at once.
Time of my life, my boyp Hard
ways, who was the center of a little
group sitting around the billiard table,
declared. Met no end OF old pals. ABB
'olutely top-hole, every minute of it."
Did you make a bit?" some one
asked him.
Came out about level" was the nom
chalsnt reply. "A few mile up one day
and down the next. Nothing to speak
OF. Lost all my luggage on the way
back, though"
Brooke strolled a little farther into
the room. The man Hardways looked
at him, and the hand which held his
cigar began to shake. Brooke greeted
him with moderate affability.
How are you? Saw you in the
Sporting Club a few evenings ago,
didn't II"
'Yes, was there" Hardwsys admit
ted. Il remember you quite we'll"
They strolled along the terrace until
later Brooke left the room,
Hardways followed him.
Can have a word with you:" he
begged nervously.
Come outside" Brooke replied. T
have something to say to you, too"
They strolled along the terrave until
they came to a seat behind some trees.
Look here" Hardways said, Il hoped
no one would turn up here just yet who
was at Monte Carlo when l was. You
now what happened to me?"
u know" Brooke admitted.
Il meant to shoot myself. wasn't
game. 1t was just the thought of the
wife and the kids, il it happened there.
wanted to make it easier for them. I
lave begun bathing down at the PLACE.
4 chap went with me this morning.
I'm going alone tomorrow. l sha'n't
;ome back. You see? 1t won't seem
quite so bad"
The man was in earnest this time be-
'ond a doubt. He was pale, and his
ace was twitching. Brooke produced
he packet.
Il have come to Hyeres to see you"
le said. THE princess sent me. When
'ou first appeared you reawakened in
Ter some impulse OF resentment. She
lid her best to make you lose at roulette.
,he did her best to break you"
1T is judgment upon mel" the man
nuttered, looking steadily before him.
The princess has changed her mind"
Brooke told him, placing the packet in
he mans hand. There are your check.
nd your losings. You need not mind
aLing them. Her husband left hes
lree millions"
Hardways tried to speak, but he found
difficult. He sat there gripping the
acket Every moment his face began
, 1Ook more natural