Evening star., 1925-03-29

with a superficial suggestion of after
noon tea and all the cruelty of the
grave behind 1t. Yes, I am glad &c
have had my attention called to
Baron Adelbert Gruner."
You say he was affable?"
"A purring cat who thinks he see;
prospective mice. Some peoples ana
bility is more deadly than the vio-
lence of coarser souls. His greet
ing was characteristics: L rather
thought I should see you sooner or
later, Mr.. Holmes said he. You have
been engaged, no doubt, by Gen. de
Merville to endeavor to stop my mar
riage with his daughter, Violet. That
is SO, is it not?" I acquiesced. My
dear man. said he. you will only
ruin your own well deserved reputa
ton. Ii is not a case in which you
can possibly succeed. You will have
barren work. to say nothing of in
curing some danger. Let me very
strongly advise you to draw off al
once
1T Is curious I answered, blu,
that was the very advice which I haC
intended to give you. I have q re-
spect for your brains, baron, and the
little which l have seen of your per.
esonality has not lessened it. Let me
put it to you as man to man. Nc
OHt WdHlS " Idhe UP 9OuG past dHu
make you unduly uncomfortable. il
is over, and you are now in smooth
waters. but If you persist in this mar
riage you will raise up a swarm OF
powerful enemies who will never
leave you alone until they have made
England too hot to hold you. Is the
game worth it? Surely you would b.
wiser If you left the lady alone. II
would not be pleasant for you If these
facts of your past were brought tc
her notice
HTHE baron has little waxed tips
OF hair under his nose. like the
short antennae Of an insect. These
| tened, and he finally broke into a gen
tie chuckle.
Excuse my amusement, Mr.
Holmes, said he. but it is really funn!
to see you trying to play a hand will
no cards in it. I don't think any on
could do 1t better, but il Is rather
pathetic, all the same. Not colo
card there, Mr.. Holmes, nothing but tn,
| smallest of the small
" so you think
$50 I know. Let me make the
| thing clear to you, for my own hant
/ is so strong that can afford to show
it l have been fortunate enough tc
| win the entire affection of this lady
| This was given to me in spite of the
! fact that | told her very clearly OF
certain unhappy incidents in my pas
! life. l also told her that certain
| wicked and designing persons-I hope
! you recognize yourseIf-would come
! to her and tell her these things ant
| I warned her how to treat them. Yot
| have heard of st-hypnotic sugges
| tion Mr.. Holmes? Well, you will see
| how it works, for a man Of person.
| ality can use hypnotism without any
/ vulgar passes or tomfoolery. SO sht
] is ready for you and, ] have no doubt
would give you an appointment. fol
| she is quite amenable to her father.
will-save only in the one little mat.
! ter
well, Watson, there seemed to bt
no more to say, so I took my leave
with as much cold dignity as I coult
summon. but as had my hand on Tho
| doorhandle he stopped me.
| "'By the way, Mr.. Holmes said he
| did you know LIE Brun, the Frencl
| agent
Yes said l.
".Do you know what befell him
~ heard that he was beaten b.
some apaches in the Montmartre dis
| trict and crippled for life
curious coincidence. he had been in
| quiring into my affairs only a weel
| before. Don't do it, Mr.. Holmes: It'll
not a. lucky thing to do. Severn
have found that out Ny last wore