Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1915-04-08

OF his:
Beg you join house party here to-
morrow. Shooting woods. Motor down
early, if possible. Two guns short.
Rely on you. Hanover"
Phone through on long distance to
Corpusty, Harwood," Knox directed his
man. "Tell Sir George Hanover that
Mr.. Knox is delighted to accept"
Knox arose at o'clock the next
morning, and, after three hours jour
ney, arrived at his destination just as
his host was engaged in arranging the
field for the first shoot. He advanced
to greet his early visitor with much sat-
isfaction.
Nov this is what cali really sport
ing of you, Algyl only hope you'll get
good sport"
Knox detained his host as he was in
the act of hurrying off Gan you tell
me the name of my right-hand neigh
Dor, Sir Ceorge?" he asked.
Sir George Hanover looked down the
avenue to where, dozen yards or so
away, tall, slim man was standing
dark, good looking in way, but with
somewhat peculiar cast of counte-
nance.
THE Marquis de Brinault," he re-
Piled Hes Emmie's cousin, you know.
A devilish good shot, they tell me-"
Sir George hustled off, and Knox,
after eating a sandwich and taking
drink from his flask, fell to stirring the
pools of his memory 1t was not until
the drive was over, however. that he
suddenly remembered.
They went off to their places. The
drive was a long one, and Knox shot
badly All the time his brain was at
work. He recognized De Brinault as
a French spy. He was staying here in
Sir George Hanover's house, staying
here with a purpose. Why?
Knox was introduced at luncheon
time to the other members of the house
party at Corpusty. some Of whom he
had not yet met. as he had only called
at the house in passing. There were
five men, including De Brinault. all of
whom he knew, and only two women.
One was his hostess, Lady Hanover,
fat, fifty, and frivolous. The other was
Miss de Hagen. Notwithstanding her
II. 6or tr,, Tailor oda
gown, her smart little toque and heavy
veil, he recognized her at once. She
shook hands without the slightest sign
of ever having seen him before. Knox
sat down to lunch more puzzled than
ever. He was on the outskirts of a
!; mystery in which were linked together
De Brinault, the sick man at Charing
Cross, and Miss de Hagen.
They lunched in great barn attached
to an old-fashioned farmhouse. Knox
found himself placed next Miss de
Hagen and did his best to make himself
} agreeable He found her personally
even more attractive than he had imag-
ined. Her pale, oval face, her wonder
full blue eyes, her masses of brown hair,
and her quantity combed little fringe
: gave her piquant originality which he
found entirely charming. She spoke
with slightly foreign accent, save for
which he would have judged her to be
an American. She treated Knox with
especial favor. De Brinault, on her
other side, although he made frequent
advances, was almost neglected.
"An affair of challenge. without
doubt" the latter remarked, little ir-
ritably, as the two men walked out to-
gether. do you know that you have
monopolized Miss de Hagen disgrace
fuly?"
"Think SOP" Knox asked.
my friend" De Brinault replied, II
have come to a decision. You are
here on account of Miss de Hagen. So
am I. Let us join forces. This time
we are natural allies. We can help one
another"
ut is perhaps excusable," Knox re-
: marked drily, IF the suggestion re-
minds me somewhat unfortunately of
certain circumstances connected with
our last meeting"
"Rubbishp De Brinault exclaimed.
"To man of common sense, all is
! clear. On our last meeting you stood
; for the secret service of England and
for the secret service of France. There
was a little duel The odds would GER
r tanly seem to have been in my favor.
| had experience, and held the strong
er position. Nevertheless lost. l ad-
= nit that | lost ] made the one unpar-
donable mistake-I moderated my OPP
ponent. | am not likely to repeat it."
. The whistle sounded, and they
a strolled apart to their places. 1t was
e not, indeed, until the late afternoon, on
their way back to the house, that they
D came together again. The women had
left them almost Immediately after
e lunch, owing to drilling rain. De
. Brinault, who had been shooting magni-
t hcently and had seemed in the highest
of spirits, was now depressed and silent.
: Suddenly they heard the sound of a
}. horn. A car passed by on its way to
r the house. Its single occupant was an