Evening star., 1922-04-16

a very handsome gown, cut discreetly
low, as is the fashion in Italy.
Have you found out the name OF
your lady friend?" asked Of Dick.
Sure" was his reply. II got It
from the concierge. She's the Baron
ess Leopoldine Won Euxenberg. and
has been here about ten days. She
very often visits the German CONSUL
ate, for on her arrival the consul made
a formal call upon her"
Evidently q woman Of note" re-
marked. "She seems quite affable,"
added, for at the moment she smiled
at mo across the big salle q manger.
Yes I invited her to the theater
tonight. She's bored to death here.
she says, so she accepted"
by Jove, Dick" laughed. why
did you persuade me to stay?
thought we were to spend the evening
together"
"Ah, no! Forgive me, my boy-for-
give me. The lady is so sweet that
wall couldn't resist asking her to
go out. Wen be back early. and then
you and I will go down to the Capella
for an hour or so, eh?"
some face, SO I forgave him, though
I also knew well that ought already
have been on my way across to Ma
pies. I took stroll in the moonlight
and idled a couple Of hours away at
a rather poor, out-of-doors variety
show, returning to the hotel at eleven.
But though waited till midnight, my
friend did not return.
was already in bed when a light
tap came at my door, and, opening it,
1 found Dick.
l. silence, and. entering, closed the
door after him.
Listen, Billy" he said in an excited
whisper. I've news for you. boy
news that'll interest you. guess"
"WhatT I asked eagerly.
That woman-Leopoldine." he re-
piled.
What of her? What's happened?"
I asked.
Nothing has happened. Only I've
learnt something of very considerable
interest to you, that's ALL
ITO me? why~
WAL I've discovered who our lady
friend really is, and when tell you
you'll be surprised"
And who is she?"
She's such live woman that she's
been sent here by the German govern
ment to arrange a certain financial
deal. A woman to carry on financial
negotiations must have q real, first
class brain, eh?"
"She must" admitted "But is she
really a representative Of the German
government
"Yes. she is. And apparently a very
important one. too"
We parted and he went to bed, but
not before he had extracted from mo
a promise to remain in Palermo an
other day. He further promised that
he would travel with me to Paris If I
would remain over next day, and per-
haps the day after as he was waiting
for q business friend to come from
Trieste.
consented. We met next morning,
and in the hotel garden. which runs
down to the brown rocks over which
sea laps so gently, we came across
tho baroness in a well cut gown and
wearing her Jade beads. Jade is ex-
pensive, and ], mere man. knew
they were worth several hundred
pounds. Those Jade beads attracted
me.
Dick greeted her merrily and ex-
pressed . hope that she was not
Efatigued by being UP 20 late.
"Oh, no." she laughed. I'm used
to 1t. Our night life in Berlin Is very
gay, a. you well know" Then she
turned to me and asked mo II I knew
Berlin. As q matter Of fact, I knew
Berlin . little better than did Lon
don, but something prompted me to
plead ignorance.
''No-I regret" said. "r've been in
Berlin only as passing traveller, but
beyond the lounge of the Adlon and
the Winter Garden I know but little
Of the capital Of Germany"
"Ah! You must know It," she said
"Y s., nust tell me when you are in