The Dolores star., 1924-12-05
The Mystery Road

| touched him on the arm.
Lord Dombey." she said, my amt
permits me to present you. Lord Dom
bey-Madame de Poniere."
Gerald. taken by surprise. bore the
shock we'll He bowed low and mur-
INJURED few polite words.
| 81 am afraid you will think that
we are very mercenary," Pauline con-
tInued, but we are going TO nsk n
favor"
ut is granted" Gerald assured her
swiftly.
There is a Russian gentleman In
Monte Carlo named Hubin.'
81 know him by sight" Gerald de
clared "Besides-"
Then the rest is easy" Pauline In
terrupted. with n warning look. "Our
request is that you search the casino
for him. and. II he Is there. that you
bring him TO U.S."
Gerald bowed.
| "Mademoiselle," he promised. "if
| he is there. | will bring him to you
within n quarter Of mn hour"
Gerald. on entering the casino,
made his way at once to the table at
the farther end The seat which had
vncant, though the table itself was
crowded. He was on the point of
continuing his search in one OF the
ether rooms, when he suddenly saw
the man of whom he was In search
seated on one Of the sofas against the
wall. He made his way thither at
| once.
"SIr," he said, 81 have brought
| you message from Madame de
| PonIcre."
| The Russian lifted his hend. and
| for moment Gerald was afraid that
he had had stroke. His eyes were
| horribly red. the flesh about his cheek
bones seemed to have become drawn
| tight, and his cheeks to display new
| hOllOwS. His hands we're trembling
All his truculence OF manner had de-
| parted.
From Madame de PonIere?' he re.
peated. "Where is she?"
"She Is waiting now in the Sporting
! club Gerald replied. 81 will take You
to her II you will accompany me-"
The Russian rose to his feet and the
two men left the place. Many of the
bystnnders gazed after them, and Ger
aid heard something Of their whispers
I'm afraid you've been having
rather bad time" he remarked.
His companion took no notice. He
walked. indeed like a man In a night
mare. Not only was he unshaven
but his clothes were creased nnd
tumbled. He was altogether q di.
,, sheveled-lookTng object
Might I suggest" Gerald said, as
they descended the steps of the ca.
sino. that You visit your hotel and
freshen up little before you come to
the clubY'
Lubln seemed suddenly to step down
from another world. He looked va
cantly at Gerald for moment, at his
smoothly brushed hair, his well-cut
dinner coat, his faultless linen. Then.
with a little start. he glanced at him
self and shrugged his shoulders pon-
| derously.
You are right, monsieur. Come
this way"
He crossed the street with great
strides and entered the Hotel de Paris.
lie turned once more to Gerald as
he entered the lift.
"A quarter of an hour, monsieur"
he said. 81 give you my word that I
VIII not keep you longer than twenty
minutes"
Il will be waiting here" Gerald
promised.
After the departure of the lift. Ger
aid made his way by means Of the
private passage TO the Sporting club.
Madame de Ponlere and her niece
We're seated where he had left them.
lhe elder lady slipping some coffee.
fauline looking around her Wit,
ihnguid air of half-amused Interest
Save for the fact that Madame de
Poniere's lips tightened little as she
saw Gerald alone there was not the
slightest indication in their manner
or expression that they were con.
rr"nted in amy way with an excep.
tlonal situation.
nave found our friend" he an.
nounced. ale is making some al.
terations to his toilet. am Meeting
MN in few minutes and shall bring
him here"
was he playing" Pauline en-.
| quired
Not when | arrived" was the can.
tious reply.
Madame de Poniere stirred her
coffee negligently.
Had he" she asked, "the air of n
man who has been losing?"
fear" Gerald admitted, "tbat he
r",her gave me that Impression"
rauline smiled up at him.
III Is very good of you to give your
se'f so much trouble" she said "A,v
aunt and ! are greatly indebted to
you. Please do not lose any time In
'''hs'ng Monsieur Zubln here"