The L'Anse sentinel., 1923-08-10

"You are impossible" he muttered-
'Tmpossiblei Already II may be too
late. They say Peel Edgerton can
smell criminali Perhaps even now
his suspicious ara aroused. He
guesses-"
Mira vandemeyer eyed him scorn-
fully.
"Reassure yourself. my dear Boris.
He suspects nothing. You seem to
forget that am commonly accounted
a beautiful woman. I assure you
that Is all that interests Peel Bdger'
ton.
Besides, he Is extremely rich. ]
am not one who despises money. The
'sinews Of war; you know. Borisl"
"Money-moneyi That II always
the danger with you, Rita. believe
you would sell your soul for money.
/ believe" He paused, then In low.
sinister voice he said slowly: "Some-
times believe you would sell--usl"
Mrs. Vandemeyer smiled and
shrugged her shoulders.
"The price, at any rate. would have
to be enormous" she said lightly. 1T
would be beyond the power Of anyone
but a millionaire to pay"
"Ahi" said the Russian. .You see.
I was right
"My dear Boris. can you not take
a joker"
"Was 1t joker"
"Of course. Let us not quarrel,
Boris. Touch the bell. We will have
some drinks"
Tuppence beat a hasty retreat. She
paused moment to survey herself
in Mrs. Vandemeyer's long glass, and
be. sure that nothing was amiss with
her appearance. Then she answered
the bell demurely.
The conversation that she had over
heard. although interesting in that II
proved beyond doubt the completely
of both Rita and Boris. threw very
little light on the present preoccupa-
tions. The name Of Jane Finn had
not even been mentioned.
The following morning a few brief
words with Albert informed her that
nothing was waiting for her at the
stationer's. II seemed incredible that
Tommy, II all was well with him,
should not send any word to her. A
cold hand seemed to close round her
heart. Supposing She
choked her fears down bravely. II
was no good worrying. But she leapt
at chance offered her by Mrs. Van
demeyer.
"what day do you usually 60 out,
PrudenceT
| fridays my usual day, ma'am."
"And today is Fridayl But sup
pose you hardly wish to 60 out today
as you only came yesterday"
"I was thinking Of asking you II
might, ma'am."
"It makes no difference to me, a
I shall not be dining at home"
Tuppence felt sensation Of relie
once she was out of the others pres
ence. Once again she admitted Il
herself that she was afraid, horribl.
afraid. of the beautiful woman will
| the cruel eyes.
In the midst Of a final desultory
polishing Of her silver, Tuppence wal
disturbed by the ringing of the from,
door bell. and went to answer II. Thii
time the visitor was neither Whiting
ton nor Boris, but a man Of striking
appearance.
Just a shade over average height
he nevertheless conveyed the impress
sion Of q big man. His face, clean
shaven and exquisitely mobile, wai
stamped with an expression Of power
and force far beyond the ordinary
Magnetism seemed to radiate from
him.
Tuppence was undecided for the
moment whether to put him down al
an actor or lawyer, but her doubts
were soon solved as he gave her hii
name: Sir James Peel Ecgerton.
Tuppence went back to her pantry
thoughtfully. The great man had i'm
pressed her. She understood Boris
agitation: Peel Edgerton would moi
be an. easy man to deceive.
In about quarter Of an hour the
bell rang, and Tuppence repaired t.
the hall to show the visitor out. Hs
had given her piercing glance before
Now, as she handed him his hat and
stick. she was conscious of his eyei
raking her through. As she opened
the door and stood aside to let him
pass out, he stopped in the doorway
mot been doing this long, ehY
Tuppence raised her eyes, aston
ished. She read In his glance kindli.
ness. and something else more difficult
to fathom-
He nodded as though she had an
swered.
Nv. A. ID. and hard up. I suppose,
Good place herer
"very good, thank you, SIR"
"Ah, but there are plenty Of good
places nowadays. And q change does
no harm sometimes
"Do you mean-T began Tuppencs
But Sir James was already on the
| topmost stair. He looked back with
his kindly, shrewd glance.
| aJust n hint~ he aaid "Thaf'a All '