Evening star., 1921-04-17
Continued from Yesterdays star.)

down. and he bowed a little grimly.
1rma Peterson was regarding him
with mocking smile.
He glanced at her companion. a
young man whose face seemed vague
~ familiar to him. and then his
eyes rested once more on the girl.
Even his masculine intelligence could
appreciate the perfection-in a
slightly foreign style-of her clothes;
and as to her beauty he had never
been under. any delusions. Nor. ap-
parently, Was her escort, whose ex-
preston was not one of unalloyed
pleasure at the interruption to his
tete-aAtete-
The Carlton seems rather a IA
vorite resort Of yours" she continued,
watching him through half CLOSED
eyes. Z think you're very wise to
make the most of it while you can"
while I CAM" said Hugh. That
sounds rather depressing"
I've done my BEST" continued the
girl. "but matters have passed out
OF my hands, I'm afraid"
Again Hugh glanced at her COM
panion, but he had risen and was
talking to some people who had just
come in
is he one Of the firm? he re-
marked His face seems familiar"
"Oh, MOI" said the girl. He is
Just q friend What have you been
doing this afternoon?
That, at any rate, Is straight and
to the point" laughed Hugh. IL you
vant to know. I've just had a most
depressing Interview"
You're = very busy person, aren't
yo1. my ugly one?" she murmured.
The poor fellow, when I left him.
was quite prostrated with grief. and
-er-pain. he went on mildly.
~
the poor fellow is?' she asked.
"A friend of your fathers, I think"
said Hugh. with a profound sigh. $50
sad. I hope Mr. Peterson's neck is
less stin by now?'
The girl began to laugh softly.
Not very much, I'm afraid. And
It's made him little irritable. Won't
you walt and see him.
is he here now~ said Hugh
quickly.
yes" answered the girl. with
his friend whom you've just left.
You're quick, mon ami-quite quick"
She leaned forward suddenly. Nov.
Why don't you join US instead of fool
tshly trying to fight US? Believe me.
II Hugh. it is the only, thing that
too much
rs the invitation to amalgamate
oficiai. or from your own charm
Ing brain?" murmured Hugh.
Made on the spur of the moment"
she said lightly. But it may be re-
garded as official"
I'm afraid it must be declined on
swered in the same tone. And equal
ly to be regarded as official. Well,
au revoir. Please tell Mr.. Peterson
how sorry I am to have missed him
the girl. But then. mon ami. you
will be seeing him again soon. with
out doubt"
She waved a charming hand in
farewell. and turned to her compan-"
Ion. who was beginning to manifest
mond: though he went into the hall
outside. did not Immediately leave
the hotel. Instead, he buttonholed
m exquisite being arrayed in gor-
geous apparel. and led him to point
Of vantage.
You see that girl" he remarked.
having tea with a man at the third
table from the big palm? Now. can
you tell me who the man is? I seem
to know his face, but can't put
name to it,
That, sir" murmured the exquis-
lite being. with the faintest percep-
tible scorn at such ignorance, lis the
A:.quis Of Laidley. His lordship is
frequently here"
'Laidley" cried Hugh. in sudden
excitement. Laidley! The Duke of
Lampshire's son. You priceless old
stuffed tomato-the plot thickens"
Completely regardless of the scan
dalized horror on the exquisite be-
the stomach and stepped into Pail
Mall For clear before his memory
had come three lines on the scrap Of
paper he had torn from the table
at the Elms that first night. when
he had grabbed the dazed millionaire
from under Peterson's nose.
earl necklace and the
are at present
chess Of Lamp
The Duchess of Lampshire's pearls
were worldfamous; the MARQUIS of
Laidley was apparently enjoying his
tea And between the two there
seemed to be a connection rather too
obvious to be missed.
I'm glad you two fellows came
down." said Hugh thoughtfully. as
he entered the sitting room Of his
bungalow at Goring. Dinner was
over. and stretched in three chairs
were Peter Darrell, Algy Longworth,
with smoke. and two dogs lay curled
up on the mat. asleep. Did you
know that a man came here this aft
ernoon, PetSr"
@A1Sh So"uco anu SttetCueo MIN"
II did not. Who was itr'
Mrs Denny has just told me-"
Hugh reached out hand for his
pipe land proceeded to stun it with
tobacco. He came about the water"
Seems a very righteous proceed
ing. dear old thing" said Algy.
lazily.
And he told her that I had told
him to come. Unfortunately. I'd done
nothing of the sort
His three listeners sat up and
stared at him.
What do you mean. Hugh?' asked
Toby Sinclair at length.
It's pretty obvious, old boy" said
Hugh grimly. He no more came
about the water than he came about
my aunt l should say that about
five hours ago Peterson found out
that our one and only Hiram c. Potts
was upstairs"
Good Lord" spluttered Darrell. by
now very wide awake. How the
devil has he done it?"
There are no flies on the gentle
man." remarked Hugh. Il didn't ex-
pect he'd do It quite SO quick, I
!. must admit. But 1t wasn't very dim
bungalow here. and so he drew the
covert"
"And he's found the bally fox
said Algy. What do we do. sergeant
We take it in turns-two at a
time-to sit up with Potts" Hugh
glanced at the other three. Damn
ft-you blighters-wake up.
Darrell struggled to his feet and
walked up and down the room
II don't know what it is.'' he said,
rubbing his eyes. IL feel most In