The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1916-10-21

away unnoticed. Perhaps two others
did the same-Christopher did not
know. But when he reached Scarlet
Runner. to his intense surprise there
sat Miss Dauvrey in the seat next to
the drivers.
will you take me homer" she asked.
with pleasure" he said.
And quickly?"
III you wish"
They started. and for a few moments
neither spoke. Then Christopher asked.
Ibid do the thing you wanted?"
Yes" she said. II thought you
would do It,"
You hypnotized me, perhaps. But
was II a game, Or"
"Oh, a game. II you like But a ter
rible game. ! wound have given my life
to stop II, or-yours. You've saved both.
can live now, / think II he WINS the
Prize he'll let me alone for awhile. But
IL he'd succeeded tonight I-couidn't
have borne II. What would there have
been for me? Only to disappear. as no
meant to do. or-disappear In another
way. quieter way. I should have
chosen that. I'm so very tired. you
see
Tired OF .what?" Christopher ques-
TONED her almost fercely.
or playing cat's-paw for him. I'm a
coward. I'm horribly afraid of him. lie
could ruin me. I've helped him several
been staying. It's nearly killed me. out
had to do IT, This would have been
worst of all. though. love little Mimy
van Bouten. ] bear her no grudge for
taking Arrowdale from me. because 1
didn't love him. 1t was only his money
and title I wanted-needed, IL you like.
Fftz thought I'd be glad Of revenge. but
I'm not v.ndictive: helped only De-
cause l was forced to-"
"oh. 1t all began with the most awful
losses at bridge. and a hundred outside
debts to drive me half mad. Once-I
was mad then. ! think-I cheated. FttE
saw. and saved me. for-thls kind of
the blue diamond will save him, II he
gets II. For your sake hope he win,
as well as for mine. He doesn't forget
"How did he mean to rid himself
OF me tonight?" asked Christopher
quietly.
You can guess. I think. or course.
the story OF the pastrycook and the
fiction for your benent. But you
| would have been asked to stop your
car at certain place. ] believe. as
IL to meet the 'pastrycook," and then
--then-they wouldn't have killed
you, for Fitz. was going to disappear
and you couldn't have Identified the
other man. But you would have had
knock on the head. and Fitz would
| have driven your car where he liked.
| He can drive one or two makes OF
| cars. and he's been taking lessons
with your kind for the last three lays
But now don't ask me any more ques-
| tions, will you? I'm so tired. II you
are kind, let me rest"
| Christopher obeyed and sat silent,
! driving fast. Neither spoke again
until he had brought her to her own
, door In Regents Park.
/ Then. as he stopped Scarlet Runner.
he broke out:
| "All this time rye been thinking o.
| what you've said. /"
laughter. What I've. said? Surely
you didn't take all that wild nom
sense seriously! OF course l was
Joking. 1t was fairy-story from
q beginning to end, believe me-"
4 II cans" said Christopher:
Then you are the April fool after
! all. aren't you? But thank you. never
| theless. a thousand times, for bring
| ing me home. And take care-Fit@
| won't be too pleased with you for
changing the end OF his game"
| Stunned, Christopher let her slip
away from him. Had II been a Joke.
! then. the whole thing? He woulc
never quite know. II might be. But
he had very strong theory: and that
| theory did not prevent him from wish
ing to see Eloise Dauvray again.
"a New Adventure Next Week.