The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-04-01
MAGAZINE


 the same deep respect which his urbane manner and his discreet but lavish tips earned for him in whatever restaurant he chose to patronize. The head waiter him. self, very magnificent parsonage, con- ducted them to their well-chosen table. Half dozen underhngs of various grades and offices showed breathless interest in MT. Cray's deliberately chosen dinner A gasp of mingled relief and approval es- caped from them when the menu was fin ally laid aside and the last word spoken and MT. Cray devoted his attention to his companion. T am so glad you recognized me without my makeup" she said
 Il should have recognized you any where," her host assured her. "What did the rest of the company think about your coming out to dine with mel"
 The girl looked up and smiled at him.
 II told an awful fib," she confessed sim ply. 'I told them that I knew you in London"
 ''Well, wellw MT. Cray murmured con solingly. "A little fib like that doesn't do anybody any harm. From now on the date of our acquaintance is fixed-Savoy hotel, theatrical party last September. Now I guess we are well on the way to being old friends"
 She laughed, and became very soon en- tirely at her ease. She wore black gown of guileful simplicity; her brilliant hair was becomingly arranged; her eyes were bright and her smile pleasant Nevertheless there were odd moments when, notwithstanding her obvious content with her surroundings and with her companion her face clouded over and her eyes wandered away into space.
 Something on your mind?" Mr. Cray Inquired presently.
 She nodded.
 ''It is that boys face," she confessed. q can see him now, coming out of the cottage and crossing the road toward us. He was like madman-the way he jumped the wall and ran down the hillside, muttering to himself. Yet it wasn't bad face |. Tell me what happened?"
 Well. did what I could," Mr. Cray said thoughtfully 'I went along in the auto- mobile as far as the nearest village, and brought back the doctor and gendarme." Do they think that it was the boy who did it?" she asked.
 Things kind of point that way,'' Mir. Cray admitted. The household consisted of Jacques Cassiat-the murdered man; his second wife; and Jacques, the son by his first wife, the boy we saw. From what some one told my chauffeur it was miser- able menage. The old man was mean but doting. He wouldn't even pay his son wages for the work he did on the bit of farm, and the woman seems to have helped to make bad blood between them whenever she could.'
 "And who was the other man?"
 Francois Lafont, his name was,' Mir. Cray Yeplied. "He owns the next plot of land"
 The girl shivered little.
 ''These things are commonplace enough to read about, she remarked "but it gives one strange feeling to have been within yard of any one who has just committed a murder. Did you see how blue that boys eyes were, and what finely shaped fore head he had?"
 Mir. Cray slipped his wine thoughtfully.
 II kind of cottoned to that young man myself" he admitted, "-so much so that I'm taking bit of trouble to get at the rights of the natter
 She looked little puzzled at her partner. "Yes?" she murmured inquiringly.
 "I'm one of those harmless old blunder- ers," MT. Cray explained, "who go about the world poking their noses into other peo- ple's business. I've a kind of natural taste for adventures and for strengthening out problems when l come across one. I get more kicks than thanks, but I've had