The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1923-03-06

20 elght i passed up the long, ne
elected drive and presented myself
at the front door of the sombc:-
ookng house. The summons of ii
harsh bell was answered almos;
Immediately by an Immaculate but.
Ter. Janet, from the other end OF
the cool white hall. came forward
to meet me. The dinner was we'll
cooked; the champagne was excel.
lent; and my host, with a twinkle in
his eyes, called my attention to the
fact that it was opened in my pres
ence. AS soon as the last course
was concluded. Janet led the way
out onto the tagged terrace. where
4 table was already arranged with
desert and coffee
D.. "You are a brave man. Sir Nor
man., my hostess said abruptly.
! Why" ! asked
you know-and you alonc-t}lat
| once killed man-although YOU
don't altogether know why" she
went on softly. "How do you know
that | have not within me the max
ings of u modern Lucrezia? have
read quite a good deal about poisons
j may be said even to have studied
the sutherland you have delivered
yourself into my hands"
why should you poison me?" ]
| argued. II will do both you and
your husband the credit to believe
that you don't bear malice. Revenge
| is senseless sentiment"
NV host leaned forward in his
chair. His face was solemn and
brooding.
you have something against me
dating from far back" he said.
nodded.
"But | am in the same position as
Scotland Yard" / reminded him.
For those things have no case.
For those misdemeanors Of which
suspect you in the past, could at
the present moment go only so far
as to procure a warrant charg ing
you with feloniously wounding n
police inspector. For the rest, sus-
pect, but / have no proof"
"You suspect what?" he asked.
shook my head.
There are limits to my candor,"
protested mildly. You must admit
that | am not secretivc or unduiy
alOof, inasmuch as | dine at your
table, discuss your peccadillOes and
pass on, like an ordinary guest.
What may suspect of the past
keep to myelf. am YOUR enemy,
and you know it. If it pays you to
attempt to murder me, ! imagine
you will try"
Janet would desert me if l did"
he declared with grim smile. "She
finds these little conferences with
you, so inspiring"
She locked at me with that won
derful smile of hers. She was lit
tie way behind pillar, and her face
was hidden from her husband.
Il do not like to hear you say that
we are enemies" she murmured. IL
would rather think that we are like
the soldiers who fight in two opros
ing armies. We fight because it is
our duty. So we are enemies because
it is our duty Even that does not
interfere with personal feelings"
That's true" admitted careless
w. 81 could never absolutely dis
like man who played such good
golf as your husband"
And what about me-" she de-
handed.
You drive me to be obvious" |
replied. ''No one could possibly
dislike person who contributed to
the beauty of the world"
She laughed softly.
why, yous&e II courticr, Sir
Norman she declared. "Your COM
pliments and the perfume of those
roses and the flavor of the Behedic-
tine are getting into my head. be-
gin to picture you rs the serpent
who crawled into this Utopoian par
aise'
Talking about golf" her hus-
band interviewed in harsh tone,
what about game, Sir Norman:
Will you play ME tomorrow morn
ing?'
Continued From Our Last Issue)