The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1923-03-09

at was not my affair to search
for him. That was a matter for the
authorities. If my help is sought in
solving the mystery of a crime, !
am generally prepared to- do my
best. Otherwise, | do not interfere.
You have news of him."
She laughed bitterly.
''Sincc he left the Lodge that
night" she replied, "and you kicked
your heels over ut the Dormy
House because of your parole,
have neither seen or heard of him."
l suddenly realized with little
shock that she was plainly, almost
shabbily dressed. She read my
thought in most disturbing fashion.
"A terrible ncighborhood, this,
to frequent in ones last years gar
ments," she observed, smiling. II
was just thinking that | should like
Il black land white-check tailored
suit Would YOU like to buy me one,
Sir Norman? You really ought to,
you know. We made terribly little
out of that bank affair, owing to
your flash of inspiration"
81 admit the liability" | replied.
(Which establishment shall we
patronize ~
'HAt heart l believe that l am an
honest woman" she sighed. 81 can
not bear the thought of your paying
out notes for the adornment of my
person. You shall give me lunch in
stead. am certainly very hungry"
We turned toward Regent Street
and lunched in restaurant of by
gone fame, half bourgeois, half b.
hemian. She would tell me nothing
of her manner of life or of her
abode; yet somehow or other
fancied. reading between the lines,
that life had become something of a
struggle for her. She asked me dc.
libcrately for my address, but re-
fused me hers. She angled for an
other invitation, but shook her head
when | proffcred it.
"These meetings with you,' she
declared, stimulate me more than |
can tell you, but they leave behind
something which / cannot define.
do not think that viii dine with
you, Sir Norman-not just yet, at
any rate"
She glanced at her watch and hur.
ried off. had an idea that she was
returning to some daily task.
called at my club, talked for an hour
or two with some friends, and in due
course made my way back to my
rooms. 1 was restless and ridiculous
~ disturbed. Fortunately, distrac.
ton awaited me.
"Mr. Huntington has been wait.
ing for you for some time, SIR my
servant announced. "He is i'm the
sitting-room with another gentle
man."
"My friend rose eagerly to wei.
come me as l entered. shook hands
with his companion, who was known
to me slightly.
The Chief asked me to bring Lord
Hampden to yOu," Huntington ex-
planned. Gle came this morning 10
ask for your help in an affair which
is rather outside our province. The
Chief thought that you might be of
assistance"
LET me- hear about it," begged.
French politics today" Lord
Hampdcn explained, "hingc upon the
question of Frances attitude toward
Germany. There is n party-the pa
triotic and military party--fiercely
determined to make Germany pay
to the uttcrmost farthing, and to
squeeze the last drop of blood out
Of her. The opposing party is all for
compromises, encouragement of Ger
man trade, and even for rapproche-
ment with Germany. You know. Of
course, who is the leader of the pa
triotic party?,..
"Lutarde, should imagine"
philippe Lutarde," my visitor as
scented. "He is hated by the pro.
German party, as will call them,
first because of his bitter chmity
toward Germany, secondly because
of ibis devotion to England, and
thirdly because of his unfaltering
rcctitude. An attempt was made upon
his life not long ago, and the French
police have been instructed to watch
him night and day. Lately, however,
there has been more uneasiHess than
ever among the patriotic party. It
is. fear, true that the chief of the
police is Of the pro-German party,
and there is, without doubt, plot
brewing at the present moment