The Washington times., 1927-02-14
r.
A Narrative Of
ROmanceand
Intrigue
BY
MARTEN CUMBERLAND
And
B, v. sHANN
CHAPTER I

. - = - -N@9 n NrAS AAASA0A
fare shone like a river Of
FURNISHED copper beneath
the warm glow Of the arc
lamps swinging lightly in
the winter breeze. The jar
and complaint Of London 5
traffic came to this back
water Of Belgrayia in a dull,
swelling boom that struck
not unpleasantly upon the
ear.
Luke Jefferies bumped
along, one thick shoulder
tilted higher than the other;
his head sunk on his breast,
and an old pipe was clenched
between his strong, white
teeth.
Memories
He walked slowly, like q man
who has no engagements. no des.
tination. He sent an appraising
glance at the well-built mansions
of Gresham Place, throwing queer
shadows across the polished SUR
face of the street. Once Luke
JefferieS had partakeR Of the
wealth and luxury suggested by
every line Of these massive town
houses. That was over now. but
the remembrance fit brought a
half-ironic smile to his thick mo-
bile lips.
He lurched on, his big frame
clothed in an old shooting Jacket
and tweed trousers-clothes stained
with exposure to wind and rain,
yet bearing on them the, name OF
the exclusive West End tailor who
had fashioned them eight wears
ago.
He paused for q moment to re.
light his pipe, and as he did so ne
noticed that the road was heaped
with straw, laid to deaden the
sound of passing OF vehicles.
The splutter of his match. threw
into relief the strong almost formi-
Nte~SAO AQOA41l6 ldCGs ~ AL llG f4Aul -
finely-chiselled nose, curved like
the beak of some bird OF prey me
rather high cheek-bones. The rug.
ged protruding chin, and the slexi-
bic lips with their mingled sugges.
ton of cynicisin and sentiment.
Deep In Thought
So engrossed was he In his
Thoughts trick acquired from
the habit Of solitude--that he did
not notice the opening or the door
of house nearby. nor did he see
a girl appear on the threshold
and look uncertainty up and down
the street.
She looked at the figure stand
Ing few PAGES distant. and some.
thing massive and permanent
about 1t as Of a statute in silhoutte,
drew her irresistibly as a magnet
draws steel.
The stump of the match was
burning his calloused fingers when
4 voice at his elbow startled him.
Forgive me. do beg you to
forgive me. Would you do a
service for dying mani"
He shed the last CLEAN Of the
expiring match on her face and
saw her to be young and heauti
full. with eyes bedinmed with
tears-a bare.headed young girl,
wearing q simple evening frock.
Luke Jeffries was not given to
speaking without due considera.
ton of his words.
asked.
Il cannot tell you now-not
here" The voice was still low
and breathless. ''If you would be.
1ieve, 1t is dreadfully urgent.
Will you come in the house?''
There?'' he said as he caught
a glimpse of Injurious interior.
and 9 manservant standing in the
hall looking out at them.
Her Fathers House
cit is my fathers house, He
IL Fabian Vickers, the financier.
You will have heard of him.
II have heard Of him." said
Jeffries. slowly.
1T is terrible. He has IateIv
been overcome with some disease.
He cannot get up. We have had
to put up bed in the study.
He has sent me out now-whfIa
he IL dying-to find someone to
whom he can entrust a message"
IT will come" said Luke Jef.
ferries briefly. He knocked the
ashes from his pipe and put it
in his pocket.
"oh, thank you" he heard her
murmur. as she fled before him.
He followed her with his long.
easier strides.
In the hall the nanservant
looked after him with shrewd
eyes and then closed the street
door noiselessly.
Jefferies followed his guide
down a passage to green blaze
screen which, being pulled aside,
Continued on Page IS, Column 81