The evening world., 1915-01-27

keep alongside. Baron, you'll have to
run, I'm afraid" cried the Prince.
and was instantly In his seven-league
boots.
There was = note In Robins rooms
when he reached the hotel. It was
not the delicately perfumed article
that usually is despatched by fictional
herotnes. but q rather business-like
envelope. As Robin ripped It open
with his finger. Baron Gourou entered
the room, but not without giving vent
to q slight cough In tho way of an an
nouncement. Robin finished reading
the note and passed 1t over to the
Baron. Tho latter read II aloud:
MY motor will call for you at
three this afternoon, and we will
run out to st. Cloud for tea: at
tho Pavilion Bleu. Mrs. CASTOR II
spending the day with relatives ut
Champigny. and We may as we'll
be mice, and play while the cats
away. under the circumstances.
IL you have another engagement,
pray do not let It interfere with
the pleasure I am seeking"
Nothing could be more exciting,
my dear Prince" said Gourou. '.She
signs herself b. Guile and am sure
she ID magnihcently beguiling, IL you
Will pardon the play on words"
IT'S a Jolly little adventure" was
AL that Robin could say, in his
youthfulness. -
The Baron was thoughtful. There
10 something behind this sxtraordin-
airy behavior on the part Of . lady
refinement" said he after a moment.
II think I have II too. She 10 de-
we're test"
"Test7 What do you mean?"
she 10 trying you out sir. Miss
Guilo-or possibly Miss Blithers-is
taking q genuine risk In order to de-
termine whether you are a real gen.
tleman or only make believe. She
is taking chance with you. You
may call 1t jolly little adventure.
but l call 1t the acid test. Young
women of good breeding and refine
ment do not plan such adventures
with casual. shipboard acquaintance.
who, you are. I must say she's sx-
ceedingly clever and COURAGEOUS"
Robin laughed. Thank you. Baron.
Forewarned Is forearmed. I shall re-
main a gentleman at any COST"
"She Is 80 shrewd and resourceful
that / am almost convinced she can
DO no other than the daughter Of the
amaxing Mr.. Blithers. believe he
achieved most of his success through
sheer impotence, though 1t 10 COM
monty described as daring"
"In any case. Baron. shall make
It q point to find out whether she 10
the lady who defes the amaIins Mr..
Blithers. and goes into print about It,"
she has merely denied that she Is
engaged to the Prince of Graustark.
Pray do not come back to us with the
news that she 10 engaged to II.
Schmidt" said Gourou significantly.
Robin smiled <sfectiveiy. "rhat
would make a jolly adventure Of It.
wouldn't it7'
At three o'clock Q big limousine
swung under the porte cochere at the
Ritz and a nimbie footman hoped
down and entered the hotel. Robin
was waiting Just inside tho doors. He
recognized the car as the ono that
had taken Miss Guile away from the
Care st. Lazare. and stepped for
ward Instantly to intercept the man.
For Mr.. Schmidt?" he inquired.
"Oui. M'sieur."
Thrilled by pleaSurabie sense OF
excitement. the Prince OF Graustark
entered the car.
He observed the single letter L
In gold in the panel Of the door, and
made mental note of the smart livery
Of the two men on the front seat.
A delicate perfume fingered In tho
car. convincing proof that Miss Guile
had left It but a few minutes before
Its arrival at the Ritz. A. q matter
OF fact, she was nearer than he
thought. for the car whirlsd into the
Rue de Ia Paix and stopped at the
curb not moro than q hundred yards
from the Place vendome.
Once more the nimble footman
hoped down and threw open the
door. A slender. swift mov1n6 ngure
N 4 hauo Hnon aovn amAsA lAHXhnt