, 1922-11-23
ToNsIEuR JoNQUELLE. the

bu; the intent in the vice was unnte
taxable. For a mere fraction Of time
he remained motionless as in some L.
decision: then he went forward
swiftly
Il was evening. The soft eolors Of
a sort OF twilight day were on the
Mediterranean. The -many-co.ored
city OF Nice was lying below the
the mountain OF olive trees and the
tropical garden of the Villa Cmiez-
The whole scene was from n country
OF the fairy: the romantic frontier OF
some kingdom OF wonder legend.
There were two persons on the
long terrace OF the villa when Mon
sieur Jonauelle approached. The villa
was small and exquisite sort OF
,ewe,-box hidden in = garden Of trop-
{ l1xuriance. lnelosed by a high
wall surmOunteo by a tile border.
There were two persons on the Ions
terrace OF the villa when Monsieur
Jonauelle approached The villa was
small and cxquisre-a sort OF jewel
boz hidden in n garden Of tropical
Iuxuriance. inclosec' by a high wall
surmounted by a tile border.
The villa was ross color. The tiles
Of the terrace and the border OF the
high wall were also ~rosecolor. II
wa a dainty and sensuous bit OF the
world. as though raised by come en-
chantment out OF the baked earth of
Arabia.
Monsieur Jonquene interrupted n
tragic moment.
A woman sat in a chair midway OF
this terrace. II was ono OF o
beautiful invaiih-chairs made for the
ou~t.of-doors by thai Italian genius
which seeks always 10 add beauty 10
the decorative aspect OF a garden
The chair was dFhite. The gown
of the woman in II was blue. 4. looked
black In the soft evening light n
against the ~rose-coiored villa and the
white chair.
The woman aid not move. Her
small ,shapely head. ns from fatigue
rested against the high back OF the
chair. IT was crowned with a great
weight OF hair. as yellow anc as heavy
as gold. built up into a wonderful
couture tina. resembled in its vague
outlines the helmet of Minerva Her
hands and her elbows lay on the ei-
bows on the arms Of the chair.
Beside her, a step beyond. the man
who had arrived n moment before
Monsieur Jonduelie stood in an att-
tude of menace. The visible person
atty OF the man was puzzling. That
he was an American one could in
stantly sec. But ono could no: -
easily Determine his status or his
habits OF life.
He had some OF the physical char
acteristics, some of the tricks OF
one engaged in an artistic voca-
ton; some of she swift. accurate, pre-
else gestures OF one skilled In the plas'
tic arts. But there was a vigor and
determination about tho man than
n is not accustomed 10 find in a
mere artisan element OF ruthless
decision and OF swift acts as OF one
accustomed to peril in his trade.
The attitude Of the man and the
VOICE that had reached Monsieur Jon
ouelle came up on the errace. The
ran fell into the posture Of n at
ease before an i~nterrupting visitor.
and the woman looked up languidly
as though disturbed; as though MAO
human drama. however tragic, could
disturb her; as though she were ior-
ever beyond the stimulus OF any hui
man emotion.
II was clear that the man had no
knowledge of Monsieur Jonqueile. but
10 the woman he was evidently n ia
miliar figure. His appearance must
have been an immense surprise TO
her. as the appearance OF the human
beyond her had been, but there was
no evidence of Il in her voice-
She Ii not rise. But she spoke
softly.
.rYou do me q conspicuous honor"
h said. You will have been very
y1uel, concerned about me 10 search
me out here"
Then h presented the man be
yond her.
.Nfartin Drlard." she said ian
Observation-Disclosures Jonquelle."
The Frenchman and also the wo'
man one thought observed the
American closely TO note n recog'
milton of either name or tho appear
ance Of the new arrival. But there
was nome. He did not know either
Monsieur Jonquelle or his trade
She touched a bell concealed some
where in the arm Of the chair. "A
maid appeared An added direction
brought two chairs. The American
sat down where he was. but Monsieur
.Jonquele carried his chair a htte
beyond the woman to the edge OF me
terrace He put down his hat. his
stick and his gloves.
at am fortunate TO find you he
said. 81 hoped to arrive a momen
earlier.
The woman smiled
I'm that event" she said "you
might have failed to find my friend
Martin billiard. the American. You
viii be interested I am sure to mee'
and to know why he is angry
She turned slightly toward inc
American. Her face in the soft Isn'
seemed smiling, but It was IN faet'
inscrutabie.
..Nonsieur Jonquelle" h explained
lis an old acquaintance very Ole
acaraIntance. I ave no secrets
from him. He will know. I am sure
precisely the reason for my flight
rataa of anger against