The Lamar register., 1921-05-25

But James had discreetly left the
room.
TWO.
At four O'Clock exactly Hugh Drum
mond stepped out of his two-seater at
the Haymarket entrance TO the Carl
ton For a few moments after enter
ing the hotel he stood at the top of
the stairs outside the dining room,
while his eyes travelled round the TIA
bles in the lounge below.
Slowly and thoroughly he continued
his search. II was early. Of course.
vet, and she might not have arrived.
but he was taking no chances.
Suddenly his eyes ceased wandering.
and remained fixed on 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 II and sat down.
He felt not the slightest doubt In
bis mind that this was the girl who
had written him, and. having given
an order to the walter. 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 q small black hat. He glanced
at her hands, and noted. with approv-
al. ths absence of any ring. Then he
looked once more at her face. and
found her eyes were nxed on him.
This dime she did not look away.
She seemed to think that II was her
turn to conduct the examination and
Drummond fumbied In his waistcoat
pocket. After moment he found
what he wanted. and taking out card
hs propped It against the teapot 30
that the girl could see what was on IL.
In large black capitals he had written
Boz X1D.
She spoke almost at once. You'll
do, X1o," she said. and he turned TO
her with q smile.
IT'S very nice Of you to say So" he
murmured. "If ! may. will return
the compliment. So Will you"
She frowned slightly. This isn't
foolishnsss. 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. tell me. on
your word OF honor whether that ad-
yertisement was bona fide or joke"
he answered her In the same vein.
.lt started more or less as Joke. II
may now be regarded as absolutely
genuine"
She nodded as II satisfied. Are
you prepared to risk your lifef"
Drummond's eyebrows went up and
then he smiled. Granted that the
inducemsnt IL sufficient" he returned
slowly. II think may say that l am"
He saw that she was staring over
his shoulder at some one behind his
back.
Don't look around" she ordered,
~and tell me your name quickly"
oFunlinOuu - Sdpthiu bEuuithohu,
late Of the Loamshires." He leaned
back in his chair. and lit cigarette.
My dear Phyllis" said a voice be-
hind his back, this Is pleasant sur
prise. had no idea that you were in
London"
A tall, clean shaven man stopped be-
side the table, throwing a keen glance
At DrummoodL
The world Is full Of such surprises.
isn't lit" answered the girl lightly. II
don't suppose you know Captain Drum
mond. do your Mr.. Lakington-art
connoisseur and-er-collector."
The two men bowed slightly. and
Mr.. Lakington smiled. II do not re-
member ever having heard my harm
less pastimss more conciseiy de-
scribed," he remarked suavely. "Ars
| you Interested In such msttersT
"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 II
struck Hugh that rarely. II ever, had
he seen such a cold. merciless face.
"Of course you've been TO France"
Lakington murmured. unfortunately
q bad heart kept me on this side of the
water. Somstimes / cannot help