Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-06-23

He suggested simple luncheon as usual.
with due regard to my tastes
'Not often lunch with you twice in o
week, LOUIS continued as he showed me
to my table. 81 rather hoped to find you less
busy today 50 that we might have q little
talk"
He sighed
"One is always busy here, while the season
lasts" he remarked evasiyely
'How long is Madame la Comtesse staying
with you?" asked.
"a s long as she is satisfied, imagine, sir"
he replied, cor until the end of the season.
If she wishes to stay on, suppose Monsieur
Leon will keep the hotel open. She is not an
ordinary client"
so one perceives,p conceded. why do
you let her worry you SO, LOUISE"
Worry me?" he repeated, with startled air.
Don't be fool mani I enjoined. do
you think one doesn't notce?"
He gave order to subordinate who was
lowering around, and then he leaned little
nearer to me-
Monsieur Forester" he begged, do not,
please, have any wrong ideas. 7 am not In
good health Madame la Comtesse Is very
gracious; she is wonderful client We are
all-the whole staff-myself included-very
grateful to her"
After that, there was no more to be said
TO Louis He avoided me for the rest Of
the meal, serving wonderful banquet at the
table on my right hand. Madame ate with
the appetite of a grenadier. The legal gentle
man from Marseille, with his napkin tucked
under his collar, was already flushed with his
efforts The secretary ate rapidly, drank when
ever his glass was Allied, and remained entirely
unmoved. The three conversed necessarily;
their heads almost touching.
The lawyer had apparently brought news
that was interesting to both his companions.
Once he drew from his pocket Q sheet Of paper
covered with figures, at which they all looked.
and raised their glasses. gathered that some
Of kGdame's investments had prospered, and
that this was feast Of celebration. Anyhow
when left ct o'clock. they were still there.
completed my business in Nice, dined at q
small restaurant in back street. famous for
its wines and food, but, alas, now known TO
all the world, and made my way to the Casino.
Without being in any sense Of the word q
gambler, enjoy my occasional games Of chenin
de fer, and this evening waS~no exception.
won little over q mile, turned In ct the bar
for q final whisky and soda, went in search Of
my car, and started of for Monte Carlo.
As rule, take the lower road but that
evening, remembering that 1t was opera night
and warned by the lights flashing all the way
ahead Of me along the curvng road, turned
up to the left just short of the hospital and
made my way on to the Middle Corniche
which at that time Of night was almost de-
serted.
Arrived at the highest point in the road,
paused to admire the view-the blaze Of lights
from one of the dark-hulled men-of-war In
Vnlefranche Harbor, the long arm of Cap Ferrat
stretching into the sea, the glitter of the wan
ing moonlight on the Mediterranean. Pres
emily lit q cigarette, and proceeded on my
way
had scarcely gone another two miles when
met with adventure. had turned sharp
corner. just short Of the tunnel when saw q
couple OF cars drawn up, and two or three
men standing in the middle of the road. At
the sight of my lights, one of them started
at once to meet me. holding out his arm.
slowed down. imagining an accident and came
TO standstill at his gesture moment later
regretted 1t, for underneath his slouched
black hat the man who had accosted me wore
O mask, which he had at first concealed with