Tombstone epitaph., 1918-06-16

T came to ses if you were here.s he replied. hat in hand for her and for Lord Thanet. who had only the ghost of . smile. with no emphasizing dimples. "I was sent" he added. -by q gentleman who not long ago left . let ter to await your arrival" Lcrd Thanet's eyes flashed surprise. Do you mean that his majesty has asked you"
 'To take him back his letter. He has changed his mind. 1t seems. and will write another"
 Lord Thanet's proud old face flushed faintly. ~Glve me the letter. Ivy" he said. T must see him if he is here. Christopher took the letter and car ried 1t out to his passenger. who all but snatched 1t In his eagerness. ''Good" exclaimed the mysterious one. "Now let us get away"
 But sir" said Christopher. "Lord Thanet has come and"
 The gentleman in the tonneau hast fly examined the envelope. "It is still unopened" he muttered.
 "Lord Thanet has not yet had time to read the letter. He wishes to know if he may have the honor of coming out to-"
 "No." said his majesty imperatively. Then. with less abruptness: GO back. give Lord Thanet my compliments. and say that I regret not having the time to speak with him this evening. a I have an important engagement, for which l am already in danger of being late."
 He did not doubt that the import ant engagement" for which his fare had declared himself fin danger of be- ing late" was . continuation of the unfortunate dinner party at Desmond House: therefore the order which came from the tonneau gavs him . double surprise
 .The Wood. No Thoroughfare Street. Hammersmith." The words struck sharply on Christopher's cara Ills majesty was not going back to the dinner party. He was going to the house of Max Lind the elder-Max Lind. the long-ago banished Socialist. Max senior was away from home and out of England. Christopher Race had read only . few days ago in the paper that the famous Socialist had gone to America on . lecturing tour. And young Max, % far as Christopher knew. was somewhere in the East, on . diplomatic mission for his own for. giving country.
 Nothing could be more unpromising to visitors than the aspect of The Wood when the red car stopped before the tall iron gates. The house was set back from the road a distance of no more than forty feet; but so screened was 1t with huge old oaks and beeches that by night. unless the windows were lighted, 1t was invisible to passers- by.
 There was no drive leading up to the house, and Scarlet Runner must wait at the curbstone In the deserted street appropriately named "No Thor oughfare." Christopher got down to open the gates. half expecting to find them locked; but they swung apart with . rusty creek. and his majesty was instantly swallowed up in shadow.
 Christopher did not 60 back to the car. but paced the pavement It was cold, and he was restless. It was well enough to argue that the affair was not his affair, and that. whatever happened. he must not mix himself in it. But there was no get ting round the fact that his majesty. who was famed for reckless daring. might have been lured to this desolate place for some evil purpose. The Linds, father and son. were above suspicion of treachery; but Max senior was. or had been. notorious for his anti-royalist ideas. and some fire brand friend might have taken base advantage of his absence.
 What if the man had gone into . trap and should never come out alive7 Christopher could bear inaction no longer. Leaving Scarlet Runner to look after herself. he slipped through the gates and tptoed up the path to- ward the hidden house.
 Treadfng on grass to avoid gravel. he skirted the path round the house to the right, and was somewhat re- lieved to zee . sprinkling of light on the frosted lawn It was thrown from a long French window, which opened to the ground. and as the easements were ajar. the heavy green curtains half drawn back. Christopher could zee into the room beyond
 His majesty stood with his back half turned to the window, and facing him was young Max Lind. In travelins dress. his white face like carved stone. his eyes dark with tragedy. The wis itor held out to his host . small re- volver, and-Nax vas ta1ing it. Tt is the bet thing you can do." his majesty said, and through the open window the words reuched ears for which they were not meant. ~The only thing left for y0u to do in honor" ~vesy weu," Max anSWered duIly. And he looked at the weapon But Christopher thrilled e hs felt that 1t was nat tAe rsvolver which thoos tragie syes really saw. sHs sees Ivy" Ivy's cousin sa1d to himself