Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1919-08-15
CHAPTER XXVI
Rue Solsil Dor


Rue solsil Dor
Marotte, the butler, in dry clothes,
had served luncheon-a silent, re-
spectacle, self-respecting man, calm
in his fury at the incredible outrage
perpetrated upon his person.
And now luncheon was over; the
Princess at the telephone in her
-c0udoir; Rue in the music room with
Neeland. still excited, anxious, con-
fused.
y Astonishment, modification, anger,
had left Neeland silent; and the con-
Vention known as luncheon had not
appealed to him.
But very little was said during
that formally; and in the silence the
serious nature of the episode which
so suddenly had deprived the Prin-
cess of the olive-wood box and the
papers 1t contained impressed Nee
land more and more deeply.
The utter uneXpectedness of the
outrage-the helpless figure he had
tut-infuriated him. And the more
he reflected the madden he grew
through meant nothing now-that ev-
cry effort had been sterile, every hour
wasted, every step he had taken from
Brookhollow to Paris-to the very
doorstep where his duty ended-had
been taken in vain.
humiliation that never had any man
aeen so derided, so heartlessly mock
ed by the gods.
g, And now, as he sat there behind
lowered blinds in the cool half-light
of the music room, he could feel the
hot blood Of resentment and chagrtn
In his cheeks.
:. Nobody could have foreseen it."
repeated Rue Carew in a pretty, be-
wildered voice. and If the Princess
Naia had no suspicious, how could
l harbour any-or how could you?"
I've been sufficiently tricked-or 1
thought I had been-to be on my
guard. But it seems not. I ought
never to have been caught in such a
disgusting trap-such simple, silly,
idiotic cage! But good Lord! How
on earth was a man to suspect any.
executed-so simply done. 1t was an
Internal masterpiece, Rue. But-that
IS no consolation to q man who has
been made to appear like a mon
key!"
The Princess, entering, overheard;
and she seated herself looking tran
gully at Neeland as he resumed his
place on the sofa.
You were not to blame, JIM" she
said. 1T was my fault. l had warn
ing enough at the railroad terminal
when an accident to my car was re-
ported to me by the control through
you." She added, calmly: There
was no accident"
mo ACCIDENT" exclaimed Neeland,
astonished.
"None at all. My new footman, who
followed US to the waiting salon for
chauffeur. Caron. saying that he was
20 go back to the garage and await
orders. I have just called the garage
and I had Caron on the wire. There
was no accident; he has not been
Ajured; and-the new footman has
1iTappeared"
TT was a clear case Of treachery?"
claimed Neeland.
Absolutely a plot. The pretended
official at the terminal control was
\ accomplice of my footman. of the
1Xicab driver, Of the pretented
s.>n. perhaps, imagine"
ibid you call the terminal con-
rol?''
."I did. The official in charge and
7Rnt; had given no such informa-
On. Some masquerader in uniform
rl7st have intercepted you, Jim
IT found him coming toward me on
90 sidewalk not far from the
aisque. He was in uniform; never
seamed he was not the genuine
s"There Is no blame attached to
9"Naia, it actually sickens me to
sHoyer how little sense I possess
So been through enough to drive
H'h suspicion and caution into this
-0don head of mine"
s.Nhat have you been through
t-o?'' asked the Princess calmly.
ETH tell you. I didn't play a bril-
RTt role. I'm sorry to admit. Not
canon sense but sheer luck pulled
1r11 70
aorstep. And there" he added dis,
sstedly. "the gods no doubt grew
iGed Of such an idiot. and they
s"ded me what was coming to me-"
e was so thoroughly and so boy
" ashamed and angry with him
= cess Naia's Iirs.
"P~oceed. James" she i'd.
"'1l rieht. Only first may I ask
'r'ho is Use Dumont?"
Tor a moment the Princess sat
an whose clear, inquiring eyes still
-Gtioned her.
ne Princess finally answered with
rs---~- Il ~.
Did she cause you any trouble,
Every bit I had was due to her.
.-o-and here's paradox should
y be here now if Use Dumont had
Il played square with me. Who is
sao''
THE Princess Naia did not reply
'Tmediate1y. Instead, she dropped
"a silken knee over the other, light
! a cigarette. and sat for a few mo-
ITS gazing into space. Then:
Else Dumont," she said. "is tall
zted and exceedingly pretty young
ran who was born in Alsace of
- German and one thoroughly Ger
= 1ized parent.
:''She played two seasons in Chi
go in light opera under another
me. She had much talent. an &C
-ntable voice and she became a To-
- favorite."
The princess looked at her cigar
Sc: continued speaking as though
Dressing it:
She sang at the Opera Comique
eve in Paris the year before last
ed last year Her roles were mi
or ones. Early this spring she alb
'",:Dtly broke her contract with the
~, 1agement and went to New York"
-Neeland said bluntly:
Else Dumont is an agent in the