The Washington herald., 1914-04-19
?" asked Charles, again after

/ man would lend that amount to you eX.
| cept in unthinkable circumstances? Yoi
are all alone in the world except for me
whom you won't marry, you say"
! NO" she cried derisively. a won
till you've built the fortune!'
And" Mr.. Captain resumed, al
lowing her the defiance, you are usec
to taking risks. But | have a claim
he smiled-'a little claim, and borrow
money from Lord Longborough you GER
tainly must notr'
Anna beat her little fists on the tabl,
and cried softly:
oh, poor fool! poor foolr' till Mr.
Captain stopped, and then she said: "Foi
heavens sake, be quiet. man. or | won
be your partner"
1T is my duty to speak to you prett,
severely" said Mr.. Captain. quizzically
| disregarding this. May | ask how
long you have known Lord Longbor
ough?"
'Whyl" cried Anna, Il don't know
him at all"
Then how can you ask him fol
money!"
Il shan't ask him." said Anna. hel
eyes like stars of the first magnitude
Because why? He would say no."
Then" Charles began.
There are many ways" said Anna
"of borrowing money"
Il wish ! knew some," replied Mr.
Captain. signing.
That said Anna triumphantly, "i.
| what | am going to teach you, if yor
care to profit by a lesson. will be
brains on the enterprise, and you shall
be hands, sometimes, and in return W,
will have the profits"
She stretched out her hand and SHOOK
Charles Captains like man.
Partner" she said. here's luck to
both of usl" And clinking her coffee
cup against his, she drank.
He asked: But what are we going
to do?"
81 shall give you the first instructions,
she answered, "on the way home And
by the way, l am ready to CO."
They went in hanson to the luxuri.
Gus little fat which she still occupied in
spite of her Immediately restricted
means. On the doorstep she stood con-
sidering the position with delightful
gravity.
1T is only ten o'clock. You may
come up for few minutes"
Charles followed her to the drawing
room with the big divan in the center,
and luxuries everywhere, and silk cush-
ions of the softest green which color
provided just the background that suit
ed her best.
Sha taI karea1t 1,..1.
and unlocking a drawer, took there
from small bag and counted out from
the bag twenty sovereigns.
There, young man." she said in a
triumphal and patronizing way to Mr..
Captain. Take it and open an account
at Dorett's in Fenchurch street tomor-
row morning and get check book out.
Say to the clerk who attends YOU: is
Jones--or any name YOU fancy-manager
here? No, SIR he'll say, 'So-and-so is
manager here. Let me know who So
and-so is when you come here with the
check book. ! shall expect you at ten
o'clock"
She took up an evening paper.
See that paragraph"
He read:
The Jocund Damser by Vatican,
stolen from the Louvre a week ago, has
not been traced. though it is rumored
that police suspicion has fallen upon the
right quarter Meanwhile the authori-
ties are offering reward OF twelve hun
dred francs to any private person able
TO give information leading to the re-
covery of the picture
Il have no doubt" said Anna thought
fully. when she saw that Charles had
finished reading, that it would be a
good speculation to buy that picture
from the dealer who has it at the mo-
ment, and who dares not keep it much
longer. One would have to offer enough
TO make it worth his while, yet not any
thing like the value"
IF one knew who the dealer was, GER
tainly," said Mr.. Captain. smiling toler-
antly
And if one had the money" Anna
continued.
And given the money, too" added
Charles, still more tolerantly.
Well" said Anna Stuart with an air
of dismissing the case. Il may expect
you with one of Doretts check books,
tomorrow at ten?"
AT ten, exactly" he replied.
Goodnight" said Anna
He left her seated at her bureau,
white gowned. shining haired, with two
devils like spear points in her eyes The
devils caught Charles at the door,
brought him back, sent him away again,
devastated him, and kept him exceeding
ly punctual to his appointment, the fol-
lowing morning.
He found Anna, at her bureau exactly
as he had left her, save that she wore
d simpler white morning gown, very Sc
date, yet very demoralizing, and that she
was speaking into the receiver of her
telephone.
This is what she was saying:
That is Mr. van Kiet? = And
you arrived late last night? Yes,
this is one who knows. You keep
quite quiet, Mr.. van Kiet, and listen. 1t
won't be any use you applying to Bram-'
mel for certain work of art. for it is
now in my possession. Miss Anna
Stuart Private room-Maxims
am perfectly willing to deal with
you at two o'clock this afternoon.
This isn't any trap. it's genuine.
If you like to call in at Brammers at
one o'clock this afternoon he'll tell you