Evening star., 1925-08-24

handkerchief which he had been hold
ing IN his hand seemed STEPPED with
some powerful scent. The cigarette
which he presently began to smoke
had punGent and almost siCkly odor.
Count Itash," Blum said at last,
you are q very clever young man Of
the Oriental school. but you have one
fault. You are too fond of women.
Itash removed his cigarette from
his mouth. lie seemed q little un-
certain how 20 take the others speech.
In the end he grinned.
"In your country" ne retorted. 'IC
Is wine and beer and food. In mine il
is flowers and women"
You may dabble in horticulture as
much as you choose" Blum observed
drily, but women are dangerous"
"I have learned 10 manage them,
the young man declared.
so far as your personal comfort is
concerned. no doubt that is So Blum
acknowledged. but you must remem-
ber that 10 me, and many others. you
do not exist as a young scion of the
Japanese nobility who desires TO
achieve success az q dipiomatist and
walk meanwhile in the fowery ways.
You are something more vital You
are a part depository Of the greatest
secret the world has ever known.
Itash, if a single bead of the truth
has sweated out Of your carcass, you
shall be looking for your own partiCu
lar corner in hell before the moon
changes"
Blum struck the table in front Of
him, not heavily, but with a sharp
menacing tap. There were lines in
his face now which few people ever
saw. His checks seemed to have
| saEged a little. his eyes sunken. His
lips had parted. and one of his teeth,
always a slight disagreement, had,
for the moment, the appearance OF o
fang. Itash dropped his cigarette.
The sudden attack had paralyzed him.
He looked like person stricken
through fear into idiocy.
"Pick that up" Blum directed,
''and speak the truth, or nothing that
7 have ever threatened you with Will
count by the side of the things which
shall surely happen. What have you
told Cleo, the dancing girl OF Monte
Carlo?"
Nothing. upon the tomb Of my
fathers" the young man swore.
He picked UP the cigarette. Blum :
questioning eyes still held him.
Upon the great matters he went
on. II have never spoken in my life
with any human being, and as to
| wonen--they are my toys. have
never treated one seriously. II is not
| our way in Japan. There Is not one
of them who knows a thought that is
| in my brain. a feeling that comes
| from the heart. Not one. not one.
! You know that this dancing sir.
! has followed YOU 10 New York
! Blum demanded.
What has that 70 do with the mat
| ters that COUNT Itash inquired won-
! derlnGly. she has been the compar-
| ion Of my idle moments; She has never
asked a question: she is like the
! others. a being for the dance, tho
wine, an hour or so OF love. l tire Of
| her and I take another COMPANION.
! Sometimes you change your wine for
! beer, is II not 50? She is "A foolish be
| ing and my notice has been pleasant
| 10 her. She IS jeaioue-women are
made like that. What does 1t mat
| ter?"
"I hear your words" Cornelius
! Blum said Now listen TO this.
Itash, and tell me what you make Of
| II with your Oriental wisdom: This
! dancing girl has followed you from
Monte Carlo to New York. Two nights
ago she visited Grant Slattery, was in
| his room for two hours. What do
| you make of that?"