The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-06-03
CHAPTER 55-A CITY OF DE-
 LIGHT

TLISE went straight to the Hotel de FI Paris, and secured room over
 looking the glory of the bay. She had slept on the train, and as it was her first visit to Monte Carlo, refreshed by a bath and breakfast, she set out.
 There was a gentle breeze from the sea. which softened the heat of the blazing sun. The terraces were alive with wonderfully gowned women, with smart men. The great Casino was like fairy palace reared in a dream; while the great hills behind shimmered lazily blue-edged against the sky.
 She leaned on the balustrade watch ing the drifting, brilliant tide of hu- manity and she did not notice the ap- proach of the two men through the crowd until they stood before her.
 Brunei and Mordac! Her heart seemed to stand still for a moment Then she smiled.
 First meet Mordac-next La Pha- lene. What else could l hope for, even in this beautiful place.? said Brunei.
 Mordac shot a glance at him. A compliment in which you include me monsieur" And then, to Elise: II suppose you are stdylns dt lno "A 10
 "Yes. I got in this morning. And you?"
 "Oh-I have a little villa up at Beausoleil." You can see it from the Route de la Turbie. It stands beyond the Riviera Palace. Brunei is staying with me-"
 Brunei suggested lunch at the Cafe de Paris. ,"I would rather not, if you don't mind. I am tired after my journey, and I shall lunch quietly and lie down during the afternoon.
 "A most admirable decision, de- clared Mordac. Then you will be fresh for play this evening. You Will go along to the rooms?
 Elise admitted that she had comtem- plated doing so.
 II knew it." continued Mordac. "We shall dine at my villa and drive down to the Casino afterwards. Please don't refuse. I have some interesting people coming, and I have the finest chef IT i the district. Besides, you will need somebody to guide you when you plunge into that gilded hall of chance-heinT 7
 Elise could not refuse, and so it wa. arranged that Mordac's car should cal for her at seven.
 l She lunched and afterwards sat for while in the hotel vestibule. As she was lounging back in a deep chair she recognized something familiar in the svelte, feline walk of an ultra smart woman who was crossing the floor. She stared. The woman turned and recognized her at once. She was Lolette.
 "Oh-la, la a!" Her slim white hand was extended mincingly. "To meet yeu-here! I thought you had run away to a farm, or something. How long have you been here?"
 She dropped into the chair beside Elise. A casual observer would have concluded from her manner that they were lifelong friends.
 They talked, Lolette animatedly, Elise in a reserved fashion which To- lette apparently did not observe. Lo, lette elicited from Elise that she had just met Mordac and Brunei, and waa dining with thm eand afterwards going to the Casino.
 II shall come" asserted Lolette calm ly. "They will need another. l shall telephone Mordac at once" Lolettt went off and telephoned, and there was nasty glint in her eyes when she re turned.
 She said drily: He was rather sur prised-that Mordac. 1 think, cherie that we are going to be very jolly party"
 CHAPTER 56-A SILENT CLASH Mordac's Isotta Fraschini duly called