Evening star., 1921-06-18
THE AVENCER
BY E. PHILLIPS OPPENHEIM.
A Tale of Political Intrigue and Private
Revenge.
ICopyisht BY Little Ca)
Copyright, by Little. Brown 4 Co.)

He is miserable sort of bounder-
an imitation cockney tourist. with
ready made English clothes. a KNAPP
sack. and a camera. j should have
felt suspicious about him myself, but
the other fellow whom l told you
about. who is staying at the inn. rec
ogniZed him. He had seen him abroad,
and what he told me seeps decisive.
am afra n that he is a spy
Wrayson cursed himself for mo-
ment that he had been so outSpoken
for the girl by his side seemed almost
on the point of collapse. Her eyes
were full of fear, and she clutched at
the tablecloth as though overcome
with a spasm of terror.
Don't be alarmed" Wrayson whis-
pcred in her ear. Il am sure, l am
quite sure that he is not here for
what you may fear. I don't believe
he is an Englishman at all.'
The girl recovered herself amaz-
ingly.
Il was not thinking of myself, she
said. quietly; and Wrayson noticed
that her eyes were fixed upon the
pale. distinguished face of the woman
who sat with a certain air of isolation
at the head of the table.
CHAPTER XXvII.
THE SPY.
Wrayson found himself a few min
utes later alone with the baron.
who. with some solemnity, rose and
took the chair opposite to him. Con-
versation between them. however,
languished. for the baron spoke only
in monosyllables, and his attitude
gave Wrayson the idea that he
with disfavor With stiff punctilious-
ness. he begged 'Wrayson to try some
wonderful Burgundy. and passed a
box of cigarettes. He did NOT. how
ever. open any topic of conversation,
and Wrayson, embarrassed in his
choice of subjects by the fact that
any remark he could make might
sound like an attempt at gratifying
his curiosity. remained also silent.
In very few minutes the baron rose.
You will take another glass of
wine, Sir?' he asked.
WraySon rose. too, with alacrity,
and bowed his refusal. They re-
crossed the great hall and entered the
drawing room. Louise and Nine. de
Melbain were talking earnestly to-
that the latter threw at him as they
entered, WraySon was convinced that
! in some way he was concerned with
the subject of their conversation. 1t
was a look deliberate and Scrutiniz-
ing. in a sense doubtful, and yet not
felt that there was something which
he could not understand. there was
something of the mystery in those
dark sad eyes which seemed to per-
wade the whole atmosphere of the
place and the lives of these people.
Louise rose as he approached and
motioned him to take her vacated
place.
Mime. de Melbain would like to
talk to you for a few moments" she
said, quietly. "Afterward, will you
come on to the terrace?"
She swept away through the open
window, and was at once followed
by the baron. Mile. de Courcelles was
playing very softly on grand piano
in an unseen corner of the apartment.
Wrayson and his hostess were alone:
She turned toward him with faint
smile. She spoke with great delib-
Grafton, but very clearly, and there
was in her voice some hidden quality.
indefinable in words, yet but musical
and singularly attractive.
II shall not keep you very long,
Mr.. Wrayson," she said. Louise has
been talking to me about you. She
is happy. I think, to have found a
friend so chivalrous and so discern
ing"
1 Wrayson smiled doubtfully as he
ut is very little that I have been
able to do for her." he said. MY
complaint is that she will not give me
| the opportunity of doing more"
"You are too modest" Nine. de Mel
balm said, slowly. Louise has told me
| a good deal. 1 think that you have
| been a very faithful friend"
| Wrayson bowed, but said nothing
| If Nine. de Melbain had anything to
! say to him. he preferred to afford hel
the opportunity of an attentive
| silence.
| Louise and l." Nine. de Melbair
| continued. "were school friends. Sc
you see that have known her all m!
| life. She has had her troubles, as
] have. Only mine are a righteous
| judgment upon me. and hers she has
| done nothing to deserve. 1t is the
burden of others which she fastent
] upon her back"
Continued in Tomorrow's Star.)