The Washington herald., 1915-01-24


Of the commissionaire, respleqdent in the
scarlet and gold uniform of London's
greatest hotel company, Droke in on the
clatter of cups and saucers, the striking
of wax vestas. and the subdued hum OF
many voices. 1t broke in also upon the
reverie Of certain tall, fair-haired, fair
mustached gentleman, sitting in one OF
the sunny bay windows-with the word
military fairly shrieking from the tips
of his patent leather shoes to the crown
of his carefully-groomed head.
Beg pardon, sir. but there's tiger
! beg pardon-a footman-just handed in
this card and says his lordship would be
glad if you could spare him few min
utes. Il so. would you drive down to the
Junior ,Iub in his car. which is waiting
outside.
Yes. ',on me soul-I might as well
finish this dem'd rag at the club as in
this den Of chattering monkeys" drawled
the major, condescendingIy. twirling his
fair waxed mustac che with Ianguid fingers.
..AlI right. commissionaire-I'll join his
lordship." And getting to his feet, he
staggered after the equally soldier-like
figure OF that gentleman out into the
grand entrance hall of the Regent Hotel,
where he found the aforesaid tiger" in
whose eyes showed a dog-like devotion to
Capt Maltravers' exquisite self, while In
one of the most comfortable chairs sat
d short. stumpy. full-bearded gentleman,
whose Immaculate clothes and well-cor-
seted figure bore witness to a painful if
somewhat misguided desire to achieve
the spriEhtliness OF his youth.
My dear Lord Essenden-a thousand
apologies for keeping YOU waiting cried
the major, bearing down on him and
shaking hands heartily. Suppose you
want to discuss the Home Rule bill again
-'fraid you won't convince me, but I'm
game to fight it out with you. Come
along, then. to the club, and Ill lunch
there, il you'll join me"
Delighted" said the stout gentleman,
allowing the effusive major to link his
arm affeCtionately in his and bear him of
to the swinging doors. which were just
being pushed round on their pivot To
allow OF the entry OF man whose bear
ing was that of the aristocratic gentle
man. and whose clothes bore that unmis-
takably foreign" look that betokens the
upper classes in other lands.
At the sight OF him. Lord Essenden
cIutched at the majors arm with painful
intensity and went a little pale under his
ruddy tan.
once outside on the steps. the pair
walked quietly down till the tiger had
darted to the door of the elegantly Coro-
netcd limousine. and throwing it open.
saw his Iordship and his guest ensconced
in their seats. then mounting the drivers
seat. beside a resplendent chauffeur. fold
Cd his arms with an aristocratic calm
that was decidedly comical TO those who
knew DOIIops. and once the limousine had
swung into the crowded thoroughfare of
Park Lane the major" leaned back with
a little laugh Of sheer satisfaction and
laid hand upon his companion's arm.
Bravo my friend, Bravo" said he
softly.
Lord Essenden'' twitched up his
mouth.
Good Lord, man. didn't you see who
that dark man was-just now? No less
d parsonage than Count Irna himself,
and the place is literally swarminG with
French people; and why You want to
take up your quarters in the identical
hotel with Count Irma. can't see! It's
like putting your hand into the hornets
nest"
CIeek gave vent to a curious little
laugh.
It's q case. 7 presume >" he ventured.
Mr Narkom fairly jumped.
"A case? ! should say it was a case"
asseverated he, with some show of ex-
citement. and the devil himseIt's at the
bottom Of it"
Well, let's have it-ar the facts as
quick as you like-I presume you know,
or rather Lennard does, where you are
taking me for it's more than I do. save
-" CIeek's eyes darted to the window
and back again. that it's out Of town
somewhere
Mr. Narkom smiled
Its out beyond Croydon wav-PurIev
Oaks. to be exact-and how the devil the
things been done Iicks me into a cooked
hat. Burmese idols don't come to life
especially il they're embalmed MONKEYS
into the bargain. and besides. what has
become OF the man HIMSELF"
HIN sect isn't murder. then. this
time"
Not unless the dead body has been
found by the time we reach the Clock
Manor"
Public house." threw in CIeek. light
ing his cigarette
Cinnamon. no" calculated the super
intendent; biggest house in the district,
stands in its own grounds. and has
special clock on its turret-it belongs
to 4 Mr.. Paravetch!"
Cleek's head went up and his brows
came down. and hr sat a moment think
ing. "PAravetch-Russian." he mutter-
ed. pinching up his chin refectively.
Russians jewcIry - jewelry - rings -
it" he cried. with a
jump that nearly rolled Mr.. Narkom on
his scat. Wasn't there Mr.. Paravetch
Anton Paravetch. l think, Russian
furrier. with money, who bought a ring
at Christie's the other day-cons;sting
of one colossal dismond-called the En-