, 1924-05-21

q retired priZe-fighter brought me
home once from an Albert Hall dance"
How did he behave?" Francis
asked.
HE was wisttul but restrained"
Lady Cynthia replied, quite the gen.
tleman. in fact"
you encourage me to hope for the
best" Sir Timothy said. rising to his
feet. you will excuse me now? l
have u few hpal preparations to
make"
Are we to be allowed" Margaret
inquired, ito come across the park 2"
you would mo- find 1t convenient"
her father assured her. "You had bet
ter order a car, say for ten o'clock.
Don't forget to bring YOU cards of
invitation. and find me Immediately
you arrive. l wish to direct your pro-
ceedlngs to some extent"
Lady Cynthia strolled across with
him to the postern-gate int stood by
his side after he had opened it. Sew
eral of the animals. grazing in differ
ent parts of the park, pricked up their
ears at the sound. An old mare came
hobbling towards him; a flea-bitten
gray came trotting down the field. his
head in the air. neighing loudly.
you waste a great deal of tender
ness upon your animal friends, dear
host" she murmured.
At the entrance to the great gates
of the Walled House, two men in iiv-
cry were standing. One of them ex-
amined with care the red cards Of
invitation. and as soon as he was sat
isfied the gates were opened by some
unseen agency The moment the car
had passed through, they were closed
again.
Father seems thoroughly medieval
over this business Margaret re-
marked, looking about her with inter
est. What a quaint courtyard. too!
1t really is quite Italian"
ut seems almost Incredible that you
have never been here!' Lady Cynthia
exclaimed. Curiosity would have
brought me If l had had to climb over
the WALL"
1T does seem absurd in one way"
Margaret agreed, but. as a matter of
fact, my fathers attitude about the
piaNt mas AWAY rather SET me dSdluSt
1t. I didn't feel that there was any
pleasure to De gained by coming here.
l won't tell vol really what l did think
We must keep to our bargain. We
are not to anticipate"
AT the front entrance. under the COW
cred portico. the white tickets which
they had received in exchange for their
tickets of invitation. were carefully
collected by another man, who stopped
the car a few yards from the broad.
curving steps. After that. there was
no more suggestion of inhospitality
The front doors, which were of enor-
nous size and height, seemed to nave
been removed. and in the great domed
hall beyond Sir Timothy was already
receiving guests. Being without wraps,
the little party made an immediate en-
trance. Sir Timothy, Who was talking
to one of the best-known of the for
eign ambassadors. took a step forward
to meet them.
Welcome he said, "you. the most
unique party. at least. amongst my
guests. Prince, may ] present you to
my daughter. Mrs. Hilditchf Lady
Cynthia Milton and Mr.. Ledsam you
know. believe"
Sir Timothy. later. In a moments
respite from the intlowing stream Of
guests, came once more across to
them.
IL am going to leave you. my hon.
ored guests from the Sanctuary" he
said. with a faint smile, ito your.
selves for a short time. In the room
TO your left. supper Is being served
! want you to meet me In a room which
| will SHOW you. at a quarter to
twelve"
He led them down one of the CORR.
doris which opened from the hall. Be-
fore the first door on the right a man.
servant was standing as though on
sentry duty. Sir Timothy tapped the
panel of the door with his foretinger.
This is my sanctum," he announced.
81 allow no n In here without spe-
clal permission. l find IL useful TO
have a place to which one can come
and rest quite quietly sometimes.
Williams here has no other duty ex.
cept TO guard the entrance. williams.
you will allow this gentleman and
these two ladies to pass In at a quar-
ter to twelve"
The man looked Mt them searchlngly.
Certainly. sir" he said. mo one
elsef'
mo one. under any pretext."
Sir Timothy hurried back to the hall.
and the others followed him In more
lelsurely fashion. They we're all three
full Of curiosity.
~ never dreamed" Margaret de.
clnred. ms she looked around her. that
] should ever find myself inside this
house. 1t has always seemed to me
like one great bl%uebeard's chamber.
II eve my father spoke OF II at all. II