Evening star., 1919-03-02

green curtains hung closely. At one
time there had evidently been fold
Ing doors. The door by which he had
entered was In the wall at right an
gles TO the curtained opening. and in
the wall opposite the curtains, and to
one side of 1t. was another door. 1t
might be the slatternly woman's idea
or desirable sitting room. but there
was nothing in it to Indicate wira t
manner of person was accustomed TO
occupy II. Valentine West was GER
ta1nly not prepared for the person
who came to him.
She entered by the door in the wall
opposite the curtains. a girl In SHIN
mering white, a dress which seemed
TO sheathe and caress the most perfect
ngufe ne had ever seen. Her hair was
raven black, her eyes deep violet. full
OF dreams and passion, her face that
perfect oval beloved by artists. West
mad wondered what Gen. Rasiloff could
possibly have to do with such am en-
tourage as this. The girl before him
put different complexion on the mat
ter Who was she? Somewhere he
had seen her.
He bowed, waiting for her to speak.
hoping to find some clue to the mys-
terry. She could not belong to this
mouse. 1T was secret meeting place.
west had been working on the as
sumption that the general had come to
england to obtain certain information.
Ihe nature of 1T he did not know. nor
did the foreign office, though it was
very anxious to learn
90 not know you,' she said per-
picked. Her voice was full and mu-
slcal, suggesting that she might not he
quite as young as she looked. She was
russian, or Pole. perhaps Her hest
fancy gave West an inspiration,
NO, J. am not Gen. RasiIoff." he
rra
know him personally"
Il am only concerned to know who
you are and why You are here" she
answered.
West felt convinced she did not
Know the general. He drew the long
m'i'e grove Irom his pocket and placed
IL on the table which was between
them.
THAT may introduce me-" he said,
healIy, sir, l have encountered much
ihsolence from men. but yours-what
is this?'
Just an ordinary glove. a woman,s
SloVe. possibly not yours, but in the
cealed which the general"
, Then-----"
~, On. yes. he received 1t quite safely
Ihat is why / am here"
You come instead OF him? you
waste your time and mine. have a
else" " no ohe
You do not understand" said West
want to-" she laughed. rs he
AFRAID? 1T Is not like him"
her attitude was dramatic. and her
laugh had ring in it which once
heard was not likely to be forrotten
west knew he had heard it before
Where! III he could remember il might
give MIN clue how to act.
on, he is NOT a froid IA a. ,,-,
ed 100; but he is not quite as free
as you Imagine. nor as he himself
would desire. When visitors like the
general are in this country We do
our pest to take care of them. Police
watch over their safety wherever thew
go. ana at this moment / imagine the
general Is doing his best to give his
guardians the slip In order TO visit
you without any one being any the
wiser" ""' '"o
Then why are you here?"
Inc general is aware that trans
are sometimes set for persons in his
position" ." ms
You think"
- think he will be quite sa afe"
Intuition and memory came To- VAL
entine west at the same moment
rms woman, with the fire of psssion
~ her eyes, was too closely in touch
wnh the primitive to hide her feeA
lngs successfully. She hated Gen