The Washington times., 1922-12-26

terday, and again this morning,
there has been a man here dues.
tioning me about John Smith.
THE WARNING.
He didn't get much change out
of me. I promise you, but they're
on the right track, feel sure,
though the Lord alone knows who
put them wise. I'm leaving the
Savoy tonight and making tracks.
I rather like you. so don't bother
about me any more-I shant
worry you again. Just clear while
there's time. and ! wish you good
luck. After all, we're birds Of a
feather"
She did not sign her name, and
there was no address on the pa.
per.
So someone had spotted him.
Who was Il? Fernie? He seemed
to be the most likely.
Mr.. Harding came into the room
behind him.
"Hulio. John, Where have YOU
been all day? I don't think I've
seen YOU at all"
You were not in 10 lunch" the
Fortune Hunter reminded him.
"And this afternoon we went M to
Long End TO fetch the punt We
had to leave it there this morning
az II was so wet"
For tho fret time he found him.
self looking al MIR. Iiardirg with
suspicion. Did he know. too! Tn"
thought made his nerves Jingle.
though there was not the least
fear in his heart.
They went in 10 dinner together.
apparently the hest ot friends
Anne was already seated at the
table, and Tommy. and the For
tune Hunter looked round him with
wistful eyes as he took his own
seat.
Supposing this was the last time
he ever sat at this table! Suppos-
ing tomorrow saw him back on the
road homeless outcast.
A wave Of overpowering emotion
seemed to catch him by the throat
as he looked at Ammo. why had
he not been better to her while he
had the opportunity.
He knew that she had shed
many tears because of him, and
yet-what else could he have
done? The whole situation had
been unnatural and impossible
much as he loved her: but as he
watched her now across the table,
he felt that he would have given
his soul to have known that he
had at least made her happy.
IT still have one ring
Of yours that I have never dared
to wear"
What had she meant by that?
You're very quiet, John" Mr..
Harding said. I'm fact. none Of
US seem particularly cheerful to-
night"
"It . the weather" Tommy said.
IT'S been enough to make any
one commit suicide today"
Anne rose from the table.
"we'll have coffee In the drawing
room, shall we?"
She looked up at the Fortune
Hunter as he held the door open
for her, and the expression Of his
eyes went straight to her heart,
making her catch her breath with
a little sob of-fear as she went
on across the hall.
But when presently he Joined
her he talked away on ordinary
subjects. And she wondered II,
perhaps. Il had been her imagina-
ton that in that one look he had
told her all the many things she
had so longed to hear MIN say
since he came home,
Once or twice he went to the
window and looked out into tho
dark garden, and she saw the
nervous twitching Of his face and
the restless way he kept wander
ing about the room,
A maid came to the door and
spoke to Mr., Harding.
please, sir Mr.. Foster to see
you, He is in the study. He said
he wished to see you alone for d
moment"
Mr.. Harding rose; he glanced
hurriedly at Anne.
AT LONG END COTTAGE.
""Excuse me. my deaf-I shall
not be a moment. Now what n
the world can Foster want?' The
maid linearsd at the door.