The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1924-01-24

as if thus she filled me with enthusi-
asm and fortitude.
"
I slept badly. The violent caress
disturbed me; I don't think I loved
Sylvia really; I don't think so now;
now that another but this
I must tell in later story My ex.
element was so intense that 1 did not
know what wanted to do Indeed,
it was only when I reached Mivart's,
few minutes before l, that knew
1 could not go on, that for moment
1 had been bewitched, but that even
for her sake I could not do murder,
risk all that murder involves. l knew
that within an hour or so 1 must ex-
tricate myself from this appalling COM
plication. Fortunately I could do so.
Lunch was charming. Sylvia APP
peared in a coat and skirt of tete de
negre marocain, trimmed at the neck
and wrists with kolinsky sable. The
coal fell upon rather lighter silk
jumper; she looked boyish and deli
cate, though rather tall: her neck still
had the thinness of youth. 1t was in
credible that this little hand should
be imbrued in blood At first we talked
lightly of the plays of the day; of
the advantages of London over Petro- |
grad, and of its dullness compared
with New York and Paris. We made
comments on the other lunchers; /
was amused, for some of the adverse
remarks hit one or two of my &C
quaintances. Only at the end did Syl-
via insist upon reciting our plans for
the next morning. Everything was
agreed. We sat back over coffee and
benedictine, q strange pair of con-
spirators. She was a little flushed;
the red mouth was smiling. For a
moment 1 thought of going on. But
I knew that was absurd Now to
shatter the crystal edifice Of the
dream: I said: Sylvia, I hope this
won't be too much of d shock to you,
but I'm not what you Think
What she said. in a strained whis-
per.
I'm not No. g. I didn't exactly
know what No. 9 was. No wonder
you had not seen me before, and that
you thought my lot had been drawn
by proxy. BY occupation 1 am a per
son Of no occupation. Dancing, golf,
and gossip make up my existence. 1
am fairly well off; the last thing I de-
sire is the destruction of any emperor
or the overseeing Of the social order
She was staring at me: But you
said you We're
mo. You said it."
But you called me No. g.
l explained; her eyes were full of
horror. She was like a little beast
that is trapped. Only after a moment
did she say: But what became of the
real No. 80"
Il don't know. l suppose he was
late. When we arrived there was no
body to meet him. I suppose he went
back to the F. Committee.
Hush she cried Don't Don't
say that aloudr' Then she realized
the situation. Il begin to understand
You are one of the gilded minions of
the tyrants. the enemies. You took
advantage Of my difficulty. You're a
. cadn'
Indeed, Sylvia / replied. rather
nettled, you're strange Daniel to
come to judgment over me, you.
professional murderess." l was rather
rude, but one does not like being called
cad
oh. words she replied with
sneer. The only thing that I care
about is that you. a man of your kind,
should know our plans OF course
Il, =
have me arrested?"
I'm sure don't know. l ought to-
But you're too attractive"
You make me sick Men are al
ways like that to women. I suppose
Oh, what am going to do? You know
everything"
Look here, Sylvia" I cried. Il
may be a cad, but I'm not going to
give you away. I shall, Of course. let
the Emperor Of Berengaria know that
henceforth ne must be guarded but
! shall not have you arrested; YOU'D
can go free if you like. and | hope
this will be a warning to you, that
you. won't go on with this madness.
Then Sylvia went to the heart of
the question: Il don't care what hap
pens to me. but I care what happens
to the comrades. You know our
secret. Very we'll You'll >" She
laughed: Fool that you are! Why
did you NEEDLE with such things?
Don't you understand that within a
day, whether I am arrested or not,
within a day YOU will be removed"
Her tone was sad. bat it grew angry:
Il don't suppose that in another day
you Will be alive
"Oh yes | assure you | shall be
alive. Your friends won't touch me.
It's too risky. Don't laugh Do not
imagine that I've come here without
a weapon. Last night, when I left
you at Landdowne Passage, 1 was,
we'll, half crazy with love for you. But
1 still had curiosity. I told myself
that your slipper could not have been
taken very far by the dog. He would
tire of his game. So I went back"
you went back?"
YES"
But I went back" she shrieked in
agony. II had to find it. I had to- I
would have gone to find it if they
hadn't taken us into the house.
dared not tell the comrades.
/ hoped to find it but I couldn't
find it .. Oh, went half mad
...I couldn't find it,"
NO wonder" I replied, for 1 found
it,
"Where?"
I'm Half Moon Street"
oh what fool l was. 1 didn't