Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1926-07-18
THE FURNISHED COTTAGE 4 . say
For Fifteen Years There Was No Thougl

n r. FORTUNE lay in ham.
NH mock. The fragrance of lilac
Il" and hawthorn was about
him. Beyond the golden
glow of his azaleas flowed
! the quiet, brown water of the Midway.
NO sound care To- him but the song
e birds; he saw no fellow creature
but the blurs among the strings OF
hops on the hillside, which were won-
en-. Mr.. Fortune sigheds content.
Cars and people and motor boats had
driven him from his beloved garden
by the Thames. The new house had
been bought for peace, and peace was
found. Like Heaven" Mr.. Fortune
murmured. "only uuieter.'
And parlor maid stood over him
with letters. He looked and groaned.
Janet, have YOU no conscience?' he
complained. The parlor maid stared
at him and her mouth opened a little.
No, I see you haven't. Never dis
turb me unless I'm really busy"
He looked with abhorrence at the let,
tiers. do you know nay engagement
book? A red thing on the right of
I the desk" Janet battered OFF. The
letters were, as he feared, invitations.
The engagement book was brought,
He turned the pages and his face fell.
He found that his next day was
pledged to hostesses in London.
Take the things away" He thrust
book and letters into Janet's hands.
Tell Sam I shall want the car in the
morning. Telephone Wimpole street
I'm coming up tomorrow"
He wandered sadly through the gar
den. He was going to miss the open.
ing of his new iris and there was no
Joy in life.
The next thing which happened was
the reception given by Lady Blanche
Thurtle to see her daughters wedding
presents. Charity took Reggie For
tune there, for Lady Blanche had
helped, out of her husbands millions,
some of the discharged criminals on
which AFR. Fortune keeps a fatherly
eye. Reggie found among her guests
hardly a creature he knew. He wan
dered disconsolate through the long
array Of presents, trying to escape,
and was brought up by a woman who
took more interest in them than he
did. He could not get round her: he
had to look at something for civility--
old silver, Japanese figures, a gold
snuffbox, some rocco jeweiry, a pen
iant of emeralds IN platinum. But
the woman stood still. She was pant
ing, she was flushed, she put her hand
to her breast.
Il beg your pardon. Can l help
your" Reggie said.
/ She frowned at him, she shook her
head.
Mr.. Fortune, lingering a moment.
looked plaintively around him and
gave up the entertainment. But as
he worked toward the door he was
stopped by rosy man with a good
deal of collar and tie.
Just a moment, sir" He handed
Reggie a card inscribed: Mr.. John
Good, International Detective Serv-
Ice"
Splendid" said Reggie.
This way, SIR" said Mr.. Good, and
edged him away into an anteroom.
"You understand I'm in charge here?
Acting for Lady Blanche Thurtle.
Won't detain you a moment"
Don't mind me-. Reggie smiled.
I'VE don't want any fuss, do we?"
Mr. Good smiled back. faint tap
came at the door. Mr.. Good opened
it to admit fiashy fellow with a
schedule in his hand. He pointed to
q. line in it. They whispered to-
gether. Mr.. Good turned on Reggie
with some ferocity. Now, look here,
sir. You've been under observation.
You've been behaving very odd. And
there is something pretty. valuable
missing, which was exhibited just
where you were playing about. What
do you say to that
Reggie sighed. who put you up
to it, Mr.. Good?"
What do you mean-put me up
to it? I'm acting for Lady Blanche,
my lad. I've got her authority all
right T.
yes. YOU" said Reggie YEARLY.
"But I'm Reginald Fortune"
"What-he." the flashy assistant
chuckled.
Mr.. Good breathed heavily. Mean
ing Mr.. Fortune, the Scotland Yard
expert? Well, you know, I'll have to
verify that
Then get ON with it. Lady Blanche
knows me-"