Evening star., 1919-04-13

possible sound Of a less happy charac-
ter that might originate therein. And
In the basement there was perfect
kitchen, which, on those occasions
when the house was briefly inhabited.
lie Balm peopled with his most efficient
iand reticent retainers-it being under
stood that after the dinner or supper
had been served, and II the host SO
directed, these cooks and walters and
ladies' maids should vanish. And that
the party might not suffer from such
withdrawal there was installed In
frigerator In which foods were kept
cold and wines properly iceland
from which host and guests might
serve themselves.
Such was lie Bain's other establish
ment. For the time paid for it was
actually the lessees "home'-as much
immune from police interference as
any other mans castle. This lie Balm
would sublet possibly two or three
times a week, possibly once month.
to some one he knew or some one
with trustworthy introduction-al-
ways at a price commensurate with
the extraordinary privacy he supplied.
And he never asked questions: par
ticularly did lie Balm prefer to know
only the name of the renting host
never of the guests. Then, IL any
thing ever happened there which got
to the police--and 1t might-Le Balm
would be able to say to interrogating
officers that he maintained this place
for patrons who wished to give "home
dinner parties''-surely a legitimate
business enterprise-and he knew
nothing at all about who was there
and what they did
When Peter Loveman. at o'clock in
the morning, quickly closed the out
side door, Slipped along the hallway,
and then drew aside the hangings
napral ply into the
great dining-room (f1nished as to
walls and ceiling in paneled Flemish
oak lighted by sunlike chandelier
with multitudinous pendants), he saw
just what he had expected to see,
just what he had so skillfully planned
and SO adroitly manipulated. About
small, intimate table, food-strewn and
wine-stained--a table almost lost in
this great room which could have
seated a party of fifty-sat Nina Cor
ton and a slight, evilly handsome third
man. His people had done their work
well. exactly as per instructions,
Loveman noted; the servants had OBJ
viously been sent away and JACK was
in the desired state Of reckless and
plia BILE hilarity. Loveman continued to
look in for moment hesitating. He
would have vastly preferred not to be
here-there was too much danger Tor
him. But his clever scheming. whose
original outline the interference OF
Clifford and the uncalculated ele-
ments of human nature in Mary
Regan had thrown repeatedly into
disarray. was now nearing the culmi-
nation of what was its latest readJust-
ment.
Loveman had held back his many
elemented new plan-two big plans
dependent in a degree upon the other.
He had not dared act too quickly in
the matter of Mary for such course
might. by some twist of circum-
stances or human nature. affect Jack.
and therefore upset what he had con-
templated concerning Jack. To sue
ceed in either he had to succeed in
both and to succeed in both he had
to synchronize them. Whether he
had done this, the hour or SO ahead
was to prove.
Loveman frankly admitted to him
self that his affairs and his own per-
sonal safety were in critical con-
dition-critical to degree never be-
fore reached in his career AS he
now had matters planned, he stood to
win everything-or almost every
thing: and also he stood to lose ev-
erything-or almost everything. In
such a crisis. where all was at stake.
he had to be on hand-despite any
added risks-to watch over, and. II
necessary, direct. the final moves of
this his ultimate plan.
Loveman stepped into the great
dining room, and stepped also into
scene that was typical of how the
forces which are behind Big Pleasure.
which are part of it, handle those
who weakly or unwari,y let them
selves be carried too far by its allur-
ing and mighty current.
"Goodevening. everybody he called
cheerily. Hello. Jack. This is GER
tainly one quiet little birthday party
you're giving" Loveman had him
self instigated 1t. though these five
at the table had brought it to pass.
kind of you to invite me. jack"
"Got to have ole Peter--else no
birthday party" cried Jack. swaying
up and taking Loveman's hand hold
ing on to one of Nina's with his left.
"IIad three birthday parties this
week; goin' have seven next week.
Peter yre invited to 'em all! You
there, Slim"-this to the slight. hand
some young man-"get fresh bottle
Pommery. open for old Peter Love-
man"
Without taking his eyes or Jack.
Loveman let them also include Nina
Cofdova. She gave an almost i'm
perceptible nod.
then in an amiably chidng tone:
"But I must say I'm surprised. !
thought you had settled down to be
a steady business man."
Damn business
But your wife, Jack? thought
you We're trying to attend to busi