Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-04-08

hand: Philip Barr & valet-Red Wing
Ariz' To this the room clerk had APP
pended the number. 1871"
Mr. Droyd accepted gracefully the
hotel bill. which was tho solitary mis-
sire in the letter rack for him. MUIR
INJURED something about drawing a
check for IL and wandered away, with
difficulty concealinE a grin OF exuita,-
ton.
CnQuestionAbly this was his lucky
dag. Hotel bel Monte. but It had caused
him to be allotted the room immediately
adjoining that occupied by Mr.. Droyd
and valet
Nor was this all. Mr.. Droyd had no
moro thar purchased at the news stand
a second copy of 'hc morning paper.
containing Philips portrait. and taken
one OF the lobby chairs in which TO
peruse II Al his leisure when his at
tention WAS distracted by the entrance
OF a party Of three.
These were two ladies in the wake
OF gentleman. who carried himself
with the habit OF person OF con-
sequence. Tho latter strobe to tho
desk 10 engage accommodations, while
his companions waited within half a
dozen feet OF Mr.. Droyd's chair He
had ample opportunity to inspect them
narrowly and 70 determine 10 his own
satisfaction that one of the women
most graceful and beautiful creature.
despite her look OF gentle melancholy
WAS Identical with the original OF the
portrait OF Mr. Philip Bars lady
love.
Having arrived at his conclusion, he
glanced aside in time to see the i'm
portant person at the desk throw down
the pen angrily in the very act Of
registering. turn brusquely away from
the astonished clerk. and rejoin his
companions
Il have changed my mind" he in
formed them in accents quite audible
to Mr.. Groyd. This isn't the hotel !
thought II was. Well 20 to the Alex
andrla instead"
Thus was the seal OF certainty ar-
fixed to Mr.. Droyds suspicion that this
pretty young woman was Princess Julia
OF Alania. Else why should her GUS
todian (Which he unquestionnbly was
II King Simon's mani shy so sharply
from register that boosted the name
OF Mr.. Philip BARR
SIN. there was room for doubt; and
Mr.. Droyd wanted TO be sure. So he
an indiscret!on OF which he would as
suredly have not been guilty had his
mental processes been as clear as no
believed them 20 be. despite his over
night pota,tons.
Rising, he moved toward the revoIy-
ing door. arriving there just as tho
princess was about to follow her com
panions through it.
without looking directly at her hut
pitching his voice SO that 1t carried
clearly TO her ears alone-a trick of
which his criminal training had made
him master--Mr. proyd observed:
ut may interest Your Highness to
know that Mr.. Barr is stopping at
this hotel"
Tho princess faltered in the net OF
passing out through the revolving door.
sim without looking directly at her,
MI. Droyd was aware OF her sharply
hush OF hot color in her cheeks finally
OF the fact that. after momentary hest
tation. she bowed him an almost i'm
perceptible Acknowledgement And she
had LETT the lobby.
The incident had passed off without
attracting the attention either OF her
eustodians or OF any of the bystanders.
Well Pleased with himself. Mr.. Droyd
turned and strobe back 10 the elevator
not for an instan; dreaming that, by
addressing the Princess Julia, he had
set In motion forces which were cana
Bile OF annihilating him.