The Elk Mountain pilot., 1918-03-14
CHAPTER xx,-centinued.

INJURED, 'is absolutely Of no conse-
quence. but remember that you live
here, and"
Don't be silly" he interrupted.
"What does that matter1 And besides,
according to you and all the rest of
you here. these things don't affect a
mans reputation-they are expected
Of him. See, have rung the bell for
breakfast. Now am going to tele-
phone down for q messenger boy to
60 for your clothes"
They breakfasted together. a little
later, and she made him smoke. He
stood before the window, looking down
upon the river. With his pipe In his
mouth and an unfamiliar look upon
his face.
"Do you suppose that Louise knows
anythingr he asked at length.
II should think not" she replied.
'It is for you to tell her. rang up
the princes house while you were In
the bathroom. They say that he has
tained In motor accident last night,
but that he y in no danger. There
was nothing about the affair in the
newspapers. and the princes servants
have evidently been instructed to give
this account 70 inquirers."
4 gieam OF interest shone IA Johns
face.
by the bye" he remarked. "the
prince Is a Frenchman. He will very
likely expect me to fight with him"
"No hope of that. my belligerent
friend,r Sophy declared. with an at
tempt at smile. The prince knows
that he Is in England. He would not
bt guilty of such an anachronism. Be
ddes, he Is a person of wonderfully
weil-balanced mind. When he Is him.
self again. he will realize that what
happened to him Is exactly what he
asked for"
John took up his hat and gloves.
ae glanced at the clock-it was lit
tie past eleven.
II an ready" he announced. LET
ne drive you home nrst."
His motor was waiting at the door,
AID he left Sophy at her rooms. Be
fore she got out, she held his arm for
. moment.
.John." she said. remember that
Louise is very high-strung and very
sensitive. Be careful!"
There IL only one thing to do OF
10 say" he answered. There II only
enc way in which I can do It"
He drove the car down Piccadilly
carefully as usual through the traffic.
and giancing every now and then with
unseeing eyes at the streams Of peo-
ole Upon the pavements. Finally ha
came to a standstill before Louise's
house and stopped the engine with de-
iiberats care. Then he rang the bell,
and was shown into her little draw
ing-room. which seemed to have become
q perfect bower Of pink and white
lilac.
He sat waiting as II in 4 dream.
enable to decide upon his words, un-
able even to sift his thoughts. The
one purpose with which he had come,
the one question he designed to ask.
was burning in his brain. The min-
utes of her absence seemed tragically
long.
Then at last the door opened and
Louise entered. She came toward him
With q little welcoming smile upon
most anectionate.
"Have' you come to take me for a
eide before lunchr she asked. "Do
you know. think that should really
like 1t! We might lunch at Ranelagh
on our way home"
The words stuck In his throat. From
where she was, she saw now the writ
Ing on his face. She stopped short.
"What is itf" she exclaimed.
Ever since I knew you" he said
slowly. "there have been odd moments
when l have lived In torture. During
the last fortnight, those moments have
,ecome hours Last night the end
came"
Are you mad. Johnf" she demand
ed.
Perhaps" he replied. Listen. When
1 left you last night. I went to the
club In Adelphi Terrace There was a
Eell-known critic there, comparing you
and Latrobe. On the whole he IA
vored you. but he gave Latrobe the
6rst place in certain parts. Latrobe
he said. had had more experience in
life. She had had a dozen lovers
you, only onef'
She WINGED. The glad freshness
seemed suddenly to fade from hel
face. Her eyes became strained.
''well?-
II found Graillot. I cornered him
I asked him for the truth about you
he put me of with an evasion.
eame down here and looked at youl
window. 1t was three o'clock In the
morning. / dared not come in. A verJ
demon Of unrest was In my blood.
stopped at the night club on my way
back. Sophy was there. 1 asked hel
plainly to put me out of my agony
She was like Graillot- She fenced will
ne And then-tne prince camel