Evening star., 1921-09-25

OF smoke on the horizon. ABOUT tnat
time Miss Lomas called at the police
heard or seen Of two of her girls.
So we leave the inspector almost
exploding with a sense OF the i'm
portance Of his office.
Mile pardons. mademoiselle." said
Reggie. as he arrived In the launch
and grabbed at his hat and. invol-
unfairly sat down upon Miss Crow
! land. With a firm and friendly hand
she assisted him to recover his bal
ance. She was IN all respects made
to sustain shocks. Her gray eyes
smiled at him.
4 man-an o1disi1, solemn man who
was horrified-confronted Resxie.
You cannot come here, monsieur
he cried In French.
II dare to assure you Of the con-
trary." says Reggie IN the same lam
guage.
"rhis is a private launch"
Perfectly. OF the Prince Of Ra-
| gusa. 1t Is why I have arrived. l
have news for the Prince of Ragusa-
news which will surprise him mar
velously.'
The solemn man was embarrassed.
Nevertheless. I protest. sir"
Il make a note of your protest,
said Reggie. and bowed.
The solemn man bowed and seemed
satisfied.
Reggie sat down beside the little
Alice Warenne; who had been watch
! to Miss Crowland, who was frankly
| amused. Permit a lover of art to
address you. mademoiselle," said he.
Il desire infinitely to thank you for
the great pleasure which you have
given me-"
How, sir? do not understand" /"
She looked more baby than ever.
Your little sleeves of satinette,"
Reggie murmured. "Your adorable
little sleeves of satinette."
And then she laughed. and Reggie
| knew that he had made a mistake.
ties The laugh of Mile. Ducher was
| unforgettable. II am a great artist,
sir, am 1 not?''
Hilda Crowland smiled at her.
| Monsieur is friend of yours. Alice
she said in English.
j "A1l in good time. Only an admirer
at presnt, darling" She gave Reggie
a glance which was not the least
| childish.
"I dare to hope" Reggie said. and
again she laughed.
They were alongside the yacht. The
ladies were handed to the gangway.
and Reggie went up it close on their
| ton waiting for them on deck, a
! middle-aged deputation which. on the
coming Of the girls, barred its gray
and bald heads. Two men stood out
from it who lifted their caps, but
put them on again. one young fell
low of a sprightly air, the other
gray and grave, with certain as
sured stateliness. At him Alice made
a saucy curtsey. He. came forward
/ and took Hilda Crowland's hand. my
! dear child" he said in Euglish. "be
very welcome" and he kissed her
j On both cheeks.
| She flushed faintfy. T do not un-
! derstand you, sir" She withdrew her
self.
II present to you your cousin. the
Comte de Spoleto." The young man
| smiled at her and kissed her hand.
The elder man turned to the others.
Gentlemen. I receive today my
daughter the Duchesse de lara" One
| by one they came forward and were
presented and kissed the wondering
girls hand. And at the end Of them
marched Reggie and stood before His
Highness the Prince of Ragusa. who
became Immediately the most amazed
he said, with intense disgust who
| is this, Audagna?'' He turned to the
man who had been ON the launch.
81 represent her mother" said
Reggie.
tation. Hilda flushed and looked at
Alice, who laughed. His Highness
stood very stfff.
II have not desired that her mother
should be represented" he announced.
+ "T cannot defend the conduct OF
your ilighness." said RegEie blsndly.
| 'I do not admit your right to be
here. sir" the Prince cried.
"That makes your conduct still
more suspicious" said Reggie.
~ r n 4
lucUsPIc1oUsr' The Prince gasped
+ y and turned upon the others. @He
says suspicious!" Horror overwhelmed
them ail. The prince was the first
ito recover his self-controf. BE