Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-09-13


carpeted studio with its simple, almost primitive
furnishings Peter Hames stood for a moment
watching her in silence-a slim, elegant figure
in severely cut coat and skirt Of some dark
material.
She was fair with gray eyes. which from the
moment of her entrance held his and the faint
insolence of which marched with the lines OF
her mouth Her complexion was innocent of
all cosmetics; her lips were untouched Even
the fierce sunlight which surrounded her,
streaming through the high windows, could
show her dsfavor save for the slightest
lines of fatigue or sleeplessness under her eyes.
Peter Hames accepted fate, but first he
wheeled his canvas around and turned it to
the wall.
What can 1 have the pleasure Of doing for
you, mademoiselle?" he asked, pa..hing chair
into adjacent corner Of the studio.
Vitorrio, in response to a gesture from his
master, left the room
The young lady sank into the chair, and
smiled up at her host.
We'll, to begin with" she said you can
tell me why you left the Cafe Regal so abruptly
the other morning."
He looked at her in puzzled fashion.
The Cafe Regal?" he repeated. Il was
afraid when I was informed OF your visit,
mademosele. that you were making some mis-
take. know of such place"
And 1 thought" she murmured, that
Anglo-Saxons only lied-forgive the melodra-
matte touch-for the honor or the safety Of
their lady friends.
Are you far removed from the Anglo
Saxon racer" he asked.
''Touche" she admitted. you can fence
with me just long you wish, though.
like your studio. and am quite content to pay
you long visit. May 1 smoke"
by all means" he assented. II am afraid
I can't offer you anything very choice In the
way OF tobacco" he added producing a case.
She shook her head
please don't trouble" she begged II smoke
my own
From plain suede bag, with . very beauti-
ful clasp, she drew out a holder OF exceptional
length. fitted a cigarette into it, accepted =
light from her hosts lighter, and leaned .
little farther back in her chair.
so you did not call for glass of brandy
at the Cafe Regal that night" she murmured,
and stumble upon tragedy? rather envied
you your entrance. An almost Rembrandtesque
interior, wasn't it?'
Some day, when you have discovered your
mistake" he suggested, IT shall ask you to take
me there. Then may be able TO answer your
question
c HE studied him pensively. Then an idea
- seemed to strike her, and she leaned to-
ward the wall. Easily anticipating his attempt
at interference with q swift turn Of the wrist.
she swung around the easel.
They both looked at the picture together
at the sordid cafe with its somber melancholy
lighting effects, the girl. typical cocotte OF the
region, sprawling her STOOL the drunken
in his corner, shape only. old Pere
Delous with his idiotic but terrible face, show
ing his yellow fangs in that meaningless laugh
Behind the counter-nothing
"A marvellous effort from memory only" she
declared. Did really look like that?"
Worse" he answered tersely. For all
know, you Appearances either way
deceitful. In any case, what do you want with
me?"
She sighed.
You are annoyed" she complained land
that is unreasonable. was quite content to
leave you out of it until it became impossible.
Why did you steal away from that place?
Didn't your chivalry prompt you to stay and
see through it,"
1T certainly did not" he assured her. when
I recognized you, knew that you had the case
in hand and probably wasn't wanted"
"A certain amount Of common sense in that"
she admitted, with uplifted eyebrows. But
are you sure that you recognized me?"
Perfectly. You looked like q vulgarly at
tractive little cocotte Of the poorer regions-as
you intended, suppose. Your real name, I
believe, is Miss Sybil Christian, once of Days
Theater, London, later q very important per-
sonage for a brief period at that sinister build
ing upon the Embankment, from which think
you-er-disappeared, for q short time, to do
your duty by society, and now a free lance,
with a taste for interfering in other peoples
business"
Not so bad" she acknowledged. Miss Sybn
Christian"
THAT is your correct name, except that, as
the younger daughter Of peer, presume that
you could demand TO be addressed as the
Honorable Sybil Christian, If it afforded you
any satisfaction"
She knocked the ash from her cigarette
what a horrible disillusion," she sighed II
thought that was q creature of mystery TO