Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1927-07-24

! But you never hHo"' 'oO
what?"
Yves, think so. People very sci
| dom ask me to come to muroer
! Only to meet the corpse"
Jolly" said the duke, little chas
tened II wasn't thinking Of corpses
old chap"
Were you thinking" Reggie
groaned.
quite a Bit" the dukes twinkling
eyes challenged him. Il was think.
ing of the last merry old week end /
had. Old Beavers place. just like
this. We had burglary. / suppose
the chappies mark down these shows,
what?"
do they?"
"Well, I mean to say. this sort of
show is a jewel parade. Did you see
the Catalani and Dolly Rootham? l
bet they've brought all their loot. Diff
ferent set each night. The jolly old
cat burglar gets to know there's a
party. Any country house Is a sitter
for crack. That Johnny last week
got away with Lady Gilrea's emeralds.
Haven't got him yet. have you?"
Not in my department" said Reg
gle YEARLY.
1--WE been on the staff myself" the
duke grinned.
But Reggie was then delivered from
him. Lord Marshbaldon arose in his
insignificance and took them off to the
ladies. Reggie sought shelter by the
French generals wife. She was not
likely to know anything about him.
She did not. She was peaceful and
comforting.
He needed it. He wanted to Danish
the horrid suspicion that Lady Marsh
balloon had asked him because she
wanted to have a policeman on the
premises. 1t was, of course, absurd,
AS protection against burglars, he
would be less than that infant Gwent.
An Airedale would be more to the pur-
pose.
But why was Gwent so mighty in.
terested in last weeks burglary? That
Gilrea's wife should lose her jewels
would not grieve him. to judge by the
way he looked at Gilrea Was there
anything queer about the burglary?
de remembered Supt. Bell telling him
that 1t was neat work and they were
cooking after two old hands. Gwent
was stupid, but it was not only Gwent
who took an interest in him.
Why was Hilda Merton frightened
IT Mr.. Fortune? Why did she warn
that lad about him? Who the deuce
vas Hilda Merton? Gwent said the
1arty last week was the same sort Of
how. The same people. then? Was
Hilda there, too. when the Gilrea EN-.
eralds were stolen?
Gilrea knew who she was, at any
rate. There he was, where she lounged
on divan. talking to her, hanging
over her. He knew all about her. too.
That was nasty Smirk on his face
ha n CHI ka1 or 80
Lord Gilrea. She had said something
that took the smirk out of him. She
stood up suddenly and sauntered out,
a pleasant sight. every line in her
body declaring that she cared
for nobody-no. not she.
r EGGIE went after her. She had
gone out to the terrace. He stood
in the light from the dining room and
turned to the cool, fragrant dark. She
was invisible
Hello her voice said
"Why?"
Because I'm not a cat"
"Sure?"
Well, I can't see in the dark"
Want to see me?"
Inc white glimmer of her arms was
close to him. She stood looking into
the night. Il was feeling lonely" said
Mr.. Fortune.
II wasn't"
Il now apologize and die"
Good luck"
Mr.. Fortune felt that he was not
wanted. He removed himself. The
next minute he saw a reason why
Cha had II,
man was coming down the terrace
But there was no sentiment in their
Babe. you silly OWL" said he.
ooh. lie down." said she.
Come on. Our numbers up"
They can jolly we'll take it down,
IL they care to-"
Whats wrong, old girl?"
Fed
ooh. rot. Wen have to give 'em
a dance. Can't dodge it,"
Look here, jimmy" she took
his arm and marched him off. Not
into the drawing room.
Reggie walked the other way and
lit cigar. Merton-dancing; there
was. in some stratum of his memory,
a connection. THE two Mertons. the
best dancers in London" Some one
said that some time. A pair Of pro.
fessional amateurs doing the round
Hilda Merton. But what was the mat.
ter with her? He wandered back to
the light from the drawing room. She
was not inside.
X X *x
THE cigar was finished before she
appeared. She and her brother
came into the room from the other
end. Lady Marshbaldon started up
and began to scold her facetiously.
Too naughty to run away and hide,
really bad girl, everybody dying to
see that new dance-and so forth.
Hilda sank down on the divan, while
her brother arranged the room and
conferred with Lady Rootham, who
was going to play for them. The
music began. Her brother approached
her In the manner of shy youth to
the disdainful lady of his affections.
She stood up and went off with him
in slow time. as IL he did not exist.
And Mr.. Fortune was bored. The
dance was nothing, a dance of musical
comedy. When he was quite sure she
was not going to do it again. Mr..
Fortune came in.
Then, for the first time, he had
speech with Lady Marshbaldon. as she
turned from gushing over Hilda.
Charming, wasn't 1t, Mr.. Fortune?
Perfectly charming"
Lord Gilrea, who was also grinning
down at Hilda, looked around quickly
and stared at Reggie's solemn face.
What's that? l beg pardon?" he
said.
II was just saying to Mr.. Fortune
or, don't you know Mr.. Fortune?
Really, now! Lord Gilrea, Mr.. For
tune"
Reggie bowed. mfr. Fortune"
Gilrea repeated, pleased to meet
you" He did not look it. I've heard
Of you, haven't II"
'Of course. you have" Lady Marsh.
balloon laughed. Its the Mr.. For.
tune. Scotland Yard"
Gilrea laughed, too. II know.
That's right. Always keep in with
the rnlice Lady NJ You never. knnM