Evening star., 1925-09-02
CHAPTER XVII.


IL was after haIf-past ten when
Grant, in the suite Of his own Ambas.
sador. mounted the stairs Of Yeovil
House and waited for some time in
the block which had collected at the
entrance 70 the reception rooms. From
where he stood he suddenly recognized
Susan recognized her with little
shock Of mingled pleasure and appre-
heusiOn. His first impression was that
she had changed, had grown older IL
some marvellous fashion. without the
loss of any Of her beauty or freshness.
She wore the gown in which only
few months ago she had been pre-
scented. Her hair, n the midst of q
galaxy of brilliant coiffures, was az
ranged aS simply as in the old Monte
Carlo days, and the ieWelry she wore
consisted only of a simple rope OF
pearls. Yet she seemed to have as
sumed without effort and with per
feet naturalness becoming dignity
and ease, wholly in keeping with her
position as the hostess OF n great gath
ering, and having a certain piquant
charm when associated with her eN-
treme youth.
She talked gayly and without EN-
barrassment TO every one. passing
them on with that tactful little word
which is sometimes a hostess greatest
difficulty. and having always the air
of thoroughly enjoying her position, OF
finding real joy in welcoming individu-
ally members OF the distinguished
crowd which streamed slowly by.
More than once Lord Yeoyil, who IN
his court dress and dazzling array Of
orders was himself a striking figure
found time to glance for moment
half in amusement, half in delight. At
the girl by his side. whom the society
papers of tomorrow We're all to ac-
knowledge as one of London's most
promising hostesses. Step by step
they moved on. Glancing upward
Grant fancied once that she recognized
him. If SO, there was no change in
her expression. She welcomed the Am
bassador, talked for moment with
his wife, exchanged some jest about
a golf match with the naval attaChe.
and finally turned away, TO find Grant
standing before her. She gave him
her hand and smiled as frankly as
ever. There was no trace of self-cou-
sciousness in her manner. Yet Grant
was aware of a great chill of disap-
pointment.
Welcome back to London. Mr. Slat
terry" she said You really are a
globe-trotter, aren't you? hope
you've brought some new bridge prob
lens with you for father He needs a
little distraction, poor dear, with all
these terrible newspapers OF yours
hurting thunderbolts at his head"
Glad TO see you, Slattery." Lord
Yeovil added. You'll find Arthur in
the room TO the left. If dancing
good partners"
And that was the end Of II. Grant
found himself one among seven or
eight hundred people meeting an
old acquaintance occasionally as he
strolled about, introduced by Lymane
to one or two young women with
whom he danced, and all the time con
scious of a vague but sickening sense
of disappointment. This was the meet
ing to which he had looked forward
so eagerly. He was judged and CON
demned. wiped out, finished with And
why not2 Who in the world would be.
lieve that Gertrude had come to him
as a StowaWay? And, worse still
whom could he tell? I was a little
trap of fate into which he had fallen
a problem to which there seemed no
solution.
Later in the evening Arthur Ly
name sought him out and presented
him to a white-haired, lean-faced man
in the uniform of an admiral.
Admiral Sullivan would like To
have a word or two with you, Grant"
ne said. "UnofIicially, of course. The
admiral is head of our naval intelli
gence department"
Il have heard OF Admiral Sullivan
often" Grant declared, shaking hands
"Once in Toxic. where he wasn't very
popular, and again in Archangel."
Don't mention that the admiral
begged, with - little grin. Toxic
don't mind. l hear YOU fellows are
getting the wind up on the other side
of the pond"
We're shaking in our Shoes" Grant
assured him. Can we find a place to
talk?"
Il know the runs of this house"
was the cheerful reply. Come along"
They passed outside the formal suite
of reception rooms into an apartment
opening from the billiard room-a
small den, in which were a few easy
chairs. a quantity of sporting litera-
ture, several decanters and some soda
water.
This is Arthur Lymane's little
shanty," Grants cicerone explained.
Can I mix you one? Say when"