The commonwealth. (Scotland Neck, N.C.) 1896-1929, 1921-04-26

Suddenly his eyes ceased wandering,
and remained fixed on a table at the
far end Of the lounge. Half hidden
behind a plant girl was seated alone,
and for a moment she looked straight
at him. Then with the faintest sus-
picion of a SMILE she turned away, and
commenced drumming on the table
with her fingers.
The table next to her was unoccu-
pied and Drummond made his way to-
ward it and sat down.
He felt not the slightest doubt in
his mind that this was the girl who
had written him, and, having given
an order to the waiter, he started to
study her face as unobtrusively as pos
sible. He could only see the profile.
but that was quite sufficient to make
him bless the moment when more as
Jest than anything else he had sent
his advertisement to the paper.
Her eyes, he could see, were very
blue; and great masses of golden
brown hair cOiled over her ears, from
under a small black hat. He glanced
at her hands, and noted, with approx
Il.
looked once more at her face, and
found her eyes were fixed on him.
This time she did not look away.
She seemed to think that it was her
turn to conduct the examination and
Drummond fumbled in his waistcoat
pocket After a moment he found
what he wanted, and taking out card
he propped it against the teapot so
that the girl could see what was on it.
In large black capitals he had written
Box X1O.
She spoke almost at once. you'll
do, X1O,' she said, and he turned to
her with a smile.
cts very nice of you to say so,'' he
murmured. IF I may, I will return
the compliment. SO will you.'
She -frowned slightly. "This isn't
foolishness, you know. What said In
my letter is literally true. want
you to tell me-" and there was no trace
of jesting in her voice, "ten me, on
your word of honor, whether that adj
vertisement was bona f1de or joke"
He answered. her in the same vein.
ut started more or less as a joke. It
may now be regarded as absolutely
genuine
She nodded as if satisfied. "Are
you prepared to risk your life?'
Drummond's eyebrows went up and
then he smiled. "Granted that the
inducement is sufficient" he returned
slowly, II think I may say that 1 am"
He saw that she was staring over
at hnh hfc
back.
"Don't look around" she ordered.
land tell me your name quickly
"Drummond - Captain Drummond,
late OF the Loamshires." He leaned
back in his chair. and lit cigarette.
"My dear Phyllis" said voice be-
hind his back. 'this is a pleasant sur
prise. l had no idea that you were in
London
A tall, clean-shaven man stopped be-
side the table, throwing a keen glance
at Drummond,
"The world is full of such surprises,
isn't it?' answered the girl lightly. II
don't suppose you know Captain Drum
mond, do you? Mr.. Lakington-art
connoisseur Observation-Disclosures"
The two men bowed slightly, and
Mr.. darlington smiled. Il do not re-
member ever having heard my harm
less pastimes more concisely de-
scribed, he remarked suavely. care
you interested in such matters?''
"NOt very, I'm afraid" answered
DrummOnd. "Just recently I have
been rather too busy to pay much at
tention to art
The other man smiled again, and it
struck Hugh that rarely, if ever, had
he seen such cold, merciless face.
"Of course you've been to France"
darlington murmured. Unfortunately
bad heart kept me On this side of the
water. Sometimes 1 cannot help
thinking how wonderful it must have
been to be able to kill without fear of
consequences. There is art in killing.
Captain DrummOnd-prOfound art"
+; He looked at his watch and sighed
alas! l must tear myself away Are
| you returning home this EVENING""
The girl. who had been CHANGING
round the restaurant, shrugged her
shoulders. Probably" she answere d.
Il haven't quite decided. l might stop
! with Aunt Kate"
fortunate Aunt Kate" With q
! bow darlington turned away, and
| through the glass Drummond watched
| him get, his hat and stick from the
| cloakroom. Then he looked at the
| girl, and noticed that she had gone a
| little white.
whats the matter, old thing?' he
asked quickly. "Are you feeling
faint2''
(To be continued morrow