The Washington times., 1919-05-14

age and await orders / have Just
called the garage and had Car0ni
on the wire. There was no acci-
dent: he has not been injured: and
the new footman has disap-
peared!"
1T was . clear case OF treaeh-
ery! exclaimed Neeiand-
absolutely q plot The pretend
ed official at the terminal control
was an accomplice OF my kootman,
OF the taxicab driver, Of the pre-
tended street-clearers- and Of
whom else I can, perhaps, imagine"
Did you call the terminal con
trol?'
II did. The official in charge and
the starter had seen no such aeei-
dent; had given no such inforna-
ton Some masQuerader IN unf-
form must have Intercepted yoa.
JIM
eIfound him coming toward M
on the sidewalk. not FAR from ths
Z kiosqies He was. In uniformS I
never dreamed he was not the gen6-
inc thing"
There is no blame attached -
you
Caught Entirely UH9wue
Malta, it actually sicksns me e
discover how little sense I possess.
I've been through enough to drive
both suspicion and caution into this
wooden head Of mine
what have you oeen through,
Jim?" asked the princess calmly.
I'm tell you I didn't play a bril-
liant role, I'm sorry to admit. Not
common sense but sheer luck pull
ed me through as far as your own
doorstep. And there" he. added
disgustedly, "the gods no doubt
grew tired Of such an idiot, and
they handed me what was coming
to me"
He was 50 thoroughly and 90
boyishly ashamed ana angry with
himself that a faint smile fitted
over the Princess Nafia's lips
Proceed James," she said
EAll right. Only first may ask
who is Use Dumont?''
For q moment the princess sat
silent, expressionless, intent on the
man who clear, inquiring eyes still
questioned her.
The princess nnalry answered
with q question:
did she cause you any trouble.
Jim?"
Every. bit had was due to her.
Also-and here's . paradox
shouldn't be here now IL Use Du-
mont had not played square with
me. Who Is she?"
The Princess Naia did not reply
Immediately. Instead. she dropped
one silken knee over the other,
lighted a cigarette. and sat for q
few moments gazing into. space.
Then:
Beautiful and Talented GIFL
Else Dumont." she said, "fs =
talented and exceedingly pretty
young woman who was born in
Alsace OF one German and one
thoroughly Germanised parent
''She played two seasons in Chi
cago in light opera under another
name. She had much talent, an ac-
ceptable voice and she became q
local favorite."
The Princess looked at her cigar
cite; continued speaking as though
addressing it:
She sang at the Opera Comique
here in Paris the year before last
and last year. Her roles were minor
ones. Early this spring she alb
ruptly broke-her contract with the
and went to New
York"
Neeland said bluntIy:
Else Dumont is an agent in the
service Of the Turkish govern
ment"
The Princess nodded.
did you know ft. Naia? 80
81 began to suspect it recently
MAY / ask how?"
The Princess glanced at Rue and
smiled:
"Ruhannah's friend. Colonel Izzct
Bey. was very devoted to Mana
ITO whom" exclaimed Neeland.
astounded.
ITO Use Dumont. Minna Mint is
her stage name said the Princess.
Neeland turned and looked at
Rue. who conscious OF his excite
ment. flusheS brightly, yet never
suspecting what he was about to
say.
The Princess said quietly:
Yes. tell her, Jim. II is better
she should know. Until now it has
not been necessary to mention the
matter, or I should have done So"
Rue. surprised. still prettiIy
flushed with expectancy. looked
with new curiosity from one to the
other.
Necland said:
Else DUmont. known on the
5 stage as Minna Mint, is the df-
vorced wife Of Eddie Brandes."
Reused At Hearing Name.
At the mention of a name so long
hidden away. buried in her mem
ory. and almost forgotten. the girl
quivered and Strengthened up. as
though an electric shock had pass
ed through her body.
Then a burning color flooded her
face as at the swift stroke of A
lash. and her grey eyes glimmered
with the starting tears.
You'll have to know it. darling
said the Princess in a low voice.
There is no reason why you should
not: it no longer can touch you.
Don't you know that?"
'N-yeS-" Ruhnnah's slowly
dropping head was lifted again;
held high: and the wet brIIIiancy
slowly dried in her steady eyes.
Before I tell you" continued
Neeland. what happened to me
through Ilse Dumont, I must tell
you what occurred in the train on
my way to Paris. May have
4 cigarette. Princess Naia:'
at your elbow in that silver
box"
Rue Carew lighted Il FOR him