The Spectator., 1916-04-11

still unturned.
 Stanley Hargreave. Met him in Hongkong when I was sent over to handle a part of the revolution. War correspondence stuff First time I ever ran across him on Broadway at night We've since had some pow VOWS over some rare books. Queer old cock; brave as lion, but as quiet as a mouse"
 "Bookish, eh? My kind. Bring him over" Underneath the table Braine maneuvered to touch the foot of the princess
 "I don't know" said the reporter dubiously. He might say no, and that would embarrass the whole lot of us. He's a bit of hermit. I'm sur prised to see him here"
 Try urged the princess. T like to meet men who are hermits."
 "I haven't the least doubt about that" the reporter laughed. I'll try; but don't blame me if I'm rebuffed."
 He left the table with evident re- luctance and approached Hargreave.
 
 elder man was rather fond of this medley of information known as Jim Norton
 Sit down. boy; sit down You're just the kind of man I've been want ing to talk to tonight"
 Wouldn't you rather talk to pret- ty woman?"
 I'm an old man"
 Bah That's hypocritical bluff. and you know 1t. My friends at the next table have asked me to bring you over"
 "I do not usually care to meet strangers
 Make an exception this once" said the reporter, who had seen Braine's eyes change and was curious to know why the appearance of Hargreave in the mirror had brought about that metally gleam. Here were two unique men: he desired to see them face to face
 This once My fault; I ought not to be here; feel out of place. What life, though, you reporters lead! To meet kings and presidents and great financiers. socialists and anarch- ists, the whole scale of life, and to slap these people on the back as fl they were everyday friends"
 Now you're making fun of me. For one king there are always twenty thick brogans ready to kick me down the steps; don't forget that.
 Hargreave laughed. Come, then; let us get 1t over with
 The introductions were made. Nor ton felt rather chagrined. So far as he could see. the two men were total strangers Well. 1t was all in the 1 game. Nine out of ten opportunities l for the big story were fake alarms; but he was always willing to risk the labor these nine entailed for the sake of the tenth.
 At length Braine glanced at his watch, and the princess nodded ! Adieux were said Inside the taXicao Braine leaned back with deep, aud ible sigh.
 What it 8" she asked.
 "The luck of the devils own he said Child of the Steppes, for years l I've flown about seas and continents, l through valleys and over mountains for what? For the sight of the face of that man we have just left Al first glance I wasn't sure; but the sound of his voice was enough. Olga the next time you see that reporter throw your arms around his neck and kiss him. What did l tell you? With out Norton's help l would not have been sure. I'm going to leave you at your apartment"
 The man of the Black Hundred she whispered
 "The man who deserted and defied the Black Hundred, who broke his vows, and never paid kopeck for the privilege: the man who had been appointed for the supreme work and who ran away. In those days we need ed men of his stamp. and to accom- pish this end. ."
 There was woman,' she inter rupted, with touch of bitterness.
 Always the woman. And she was as clever and handsome as you are"
 Thanks. Sometimes =.
 An. yee." ironically. Sometimes you wish you could settle down, marry and have a family. Your domesticity would last about month"
 She made no retort because she rec ognized the truth of this statement.
 There's an emerald l know of" he said ruminatively. Its quite pos sible that you may be wearing it with in few days
 q am mad over them. There is something in the green stone that fas cinates me can't resist it."
 That's because, somewhere in the far past, your ancestors were orien- tals. Here we are, I'll see you to- morrow. I must hurry. Goodnight
 She stood on the curb for a moment and watched the taxicab as 1t whirled around corner. The man held her with fascination more terrible than any jewel. She knew him to be