The Washington times., 1919-05-27

somewhat tardily what Rue Carew
had said concerning personal dan
ger to himself il any Of these peo-
pie believed him capable of recon
structtng from memory any of the
stolen plans.
He had not thought about that
specific contingency; instinct alone
had troubled him a little when he
hrst entered the Cafe des Bulgars.
however his unquiet eyes could
discover nothing Of either Kestner
or Breslaur and. somehow, he did
not even think of encouraging Use
Dumont in such a place. As for
Brandes and Stull, they did not rec
ognize him at all.
So, entirely treasured once more
by the absence of AIi-Raba and
Golden Beard, and Of Scheherazade
whom he had no fear of meeting,
Neeland ate his caviar with a rel
lsh and examined his SURROUNDINGS.
OF course, ii was perfectly DOS
slble that the stolen papers had been
brought here. There were three
other floors in the building, too
and he wondered what they were
used for.
Sengoun's appetite for conflict
Waned as he ate and drank, and a
violent desire to gamble replaced it.
NeeIand Instincts His Aide.
You poke about a bit" he said
to Neeland. Talk to that girl over
there and see what you can learn
As for me, I mean to start a little
Irritation with MademoiselIe For
tuna Does that suit your
If Sengoun wished to play it was
none Of Neeland's business.
DO you think ii an honest game p"
he asked. doubtfulIy.
With negligible stakes all first
class gamblers are honest"
If 1 were you, Sengoun, I
wouldn't drink anything more"
Excellent advice, old fellow"
emptying his goblet with satisfac-
ton. And, rising to his firm and
graceful height, he stroIIed away
toward the salon where play pro-
crossed amid the most decorous and
edifying of atmospheres.
Neeland watched him disappear,
then he glanced curiousIy at tn.
girl on the sofa who was still pre-
occupied with her newspaper.
So he rose, sauntered about the
room examining the few picturesa nd
bronzes, modern but excellent. The
carpet under foot vas thick and
soft, but, as he strolled past the
girl who seemed to be so intently
reading, she looked up over her
paper and returned his civil recog-
milton of her presence with a slight
smile.
AS he appeared inclined to linger,
she said with pleasant self-posses-
sion:
These newspaper rumors, mon
sieur, are becoming too persistent
to amuse us much longer. War
talk is becoming vieux jeu."
why read them?" inquired Nee
land with a smile.
Why" She made a slight ges-
ture. One reads what is printed.
l suppose"
Those Awful Journals.
Written and printed by people
who know no more about the mat
ter in question than you and I,
mademoiselle," he remarked, still
smiling.
That is perfectly true. Why is
it worth while for anyone to search
for truth in these days when every
one is paid to conceal it,"
oh" he said, mot everyone"
mo; some lie naturally and with
out pay" she admitted Indifferent
ly.
But there are still others. For
example. mademoiselle, yourself"
"I?" She laughed, not troubling to
refute the suggestion Of her posi-
BILE truthfulness.
He said:
"This-club-is furnished in ex-
cellent taste"
Yes; it is quite new"
Has il a name?"
I believe it is called the CercIe
ExtranationaIe. Would monsieur
also like to know the name of the
club cat7"
They both laughed easily, but he
could make nothing OF her.
THANK you" he said; "and 7
fear 1 have interrupted your read
ing"
IT have read enough lies: I am
quite ready to tell you a few.
Shall l."
You are most amiabIe. have
been wondering what the other
floors in this building are used for"
Private apartments" she replied
smiling, looking him straight in the
eyes. Now you don't know whether
I've told you the truth or not; do
you?"
"Of course know"
Which, them
The truth"
She laughed and indicated a chair;
and he seated himself
Inquiries Of Prince Erik.
who is the dark, nice-lookinR
gentleman accompanying your she
inquired.
How could you see him at ali
through your newspaper"
II poked a hole, Of course"
ITO look at him or at me?"
Your mirror ought to reassure
you. However, as an afterthought.
who Is he?"
Prince Erik, OF Mongolia" re-
piled Neeland solemnly.
81 supposed so. We Of the In.
fernal aristocracy belong together.
! am Contessa Diabletta dEnfer. {"
He inclined gTavely:
I'm afraid I don't belong here. E"
he said. I'm only a Yankee"
Hell is full OF them" she said,
smiling. "AlI Yankees belong where
Prince Erik and ] are at home,
Do you play?"
mo. Do you?"
'It depends on chance"