Evening star., 1923-07-24
THE EVIL SHEPHERD
By E. Phillips OPpenheim.
tcsp,risht, lsss. b. Little. Brown . o.>

thrown into the river and jolly nearly
drowned"
The two men passed out of hear
ing.
II wonder what part the launch
plays in the nights entertainment"
Wilmore observed.
Francis shrugged his shoulders.
II have given up wondering" he
said. Margaret. do you hear that
music?"
She laughed.
Are we really to dance?'" she mur-
INJURED, DO you want to make girl
We'll. l shouldn't be a magician.
should II" he answered.
They passed into the ballroom and
danced for some time. The music was
seductive and perfect. without any
of the blatant notes of too many of
seemed TO sway under their feet.
This is a new Joy come back into
life!" Margaret exclaimed as they
rested for a moment.
The first of many" he assured
her.
They stood in the archway between
the winter garden and the dancing
gallery, from which they could com
mand view of the passing crowds.
Francis scanned the faces of the men
and women with intense interest.
Many of them were known to him by
sight, others were strangers. There
was Judge, cabinet minister, va
rious members of the aristocracy, q
sprinkling from the foreign legations,
and, although the stage was not
or two we'll known actors. The
guests seemed to belong to no univer-
sal social order, but to Francis,
watching them almost eagerly. they
all seemed to have something Of the
same expression, the same slight air
Of weariness, of restless and unsatis-
fed desires.
Il can't believe that the place Is
real. or that these people we see are
not supers." Margaret whispered.
Il feel every moment that a clock
will strike and that 1t will all fade
away"
I'm afraid I'm too material for
such imaginings," Francis replied.
but there is a quantity artificial air
about 1t all. We must go and look
for Wilmore and Lady Cynthia"
They turned back into the ener-
den. and came suddenly face to face
with Sir Timothy, who had escorted
q little party of his guests to see the
fountain, and was now returning
alone.
You have been dancing. am glad
to see." the latter observed II trust
that you are amusing yourselvess"
Excellently, thank you" Francis
replleo.
And so far" Sir Timothy went on.
with a faint smile. you find my en-
tertainment normal? You have no
question yet which you would like
to ask?"
only one-what do you do with
your launch up the river on moonless
nights, Sir Timothy"
Sir Timothy's momentary silence
was full of ominous- significance.
Mr. Ledsam." he said. after a brief
pause Il have given you almost carte
blanche to explore my domains here.
Concerning the launch. however, I
think that you had better ask no
questions at present"
You are using it tonight?" Francis
persisted.
VIII you come and see NV yen-
tureSome guest?"
With great pleasure" was the
prompt reply --
Sir Timothy glanced at his watch.
That. he said, rs one of the mat
ters of which we will speak at
quarter to twelve. Meanwhile, let
me show you something. 1t may
amuse you as 1t has done me-"
The three moved back toward one of
the arched openings which led into the
ballroom.
observe, if you please" their host
continued. the third couple who pass
US. The girl Is wearing green-the
very little that she does wear. Watch
the man, and see II he reminds you
of any one"
Francis did as he was hidden. The
girl was a well-known member of
the chorus of one Of the principal
musical comedies. and she seemed to
be be thoroughly enjoying both the
appeared to be of a somewhat ordi-
nary type, sallow with rather puffy
cheeks. and eyes almost unnaturally
dark. He danced vigorously and he
talked all the time. Something about
him was vaguely familiar to Francis,
but he failed to place him.
Notwithstanding all my precau-
tons" Sir Timothy continued, there,
fondly believing himself to be un-
noticed, is an emissary of Scotland
Yard Really. of all the obvious. the
dry dust, ur-criminal-by-
rule-of-three kind Of people I ever
met, the class Of detective to which
this man belongs can produce the
most blatant examples"
What are you going to do about
hfm?' Frances asked.
Sir Timothy shrugged his shoulders. |
1 have not yet made up my mind"
he SAID. Il happen to know that he |
has been laying his plans for weeks |
to get here. frequenting Sotos and
other restaurants, and scraping ac-
quaintances' with some Of my friends.
The Duke of Tadchester brought him |
won a few hundreds from him at
baccarat. ! suppose. His grace will |
never again find these doors open to |!
him."
Francis attention had wandered.
He was gazing at the man whom Sir !
Timothy had pointed out
You still do not fully recognize |
our FRIEND" the latter observed care |
lessly He calls himself Manuel |
Cuban. His real name I understood,
when you introduced US. to be Shop
Great heavens, so it isl" Francis
exclaimed.
Let US leave him to his precarious
pleasures" Sir Timothy suggested. |
Il am free for few moments. we
Will wander round together"
They found Lady Cynthia and Will |
more, and looked in at the supper
for tables. a babel Of sound and ssiety.
The grounds and winter garden were
crowded. Their guide led the way to |
a large apartment on the other side /
OF the hall, from which the sound Of |
music was proceeding.
MY theater." he said. 81 wonder
what Is going on"
They passed inside. There was a !
small stage with steps leading down
to the floor. easy chairs and round |
tables everywhere. and walters serv-
ing refreshments. A girl was dane
Nadia Ellistoff." he told them.
She was In the last Russian ballet,
ana she Is waiting now for the rest |
OF the company to start again at
Covent Garden. You see, Il is Metz |
ger who plays there. They improyIse.
Rather a wonderful performance. I
think"
They watched her breathlessIy, a |
spirit in gray tulle with great bisok
eyes now and then half closed.
1t Is Wind before Dawn" Lady |
Cynthia whispered. IT heard him