Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-03-08

LAKEWOOD was startled by q sudden,
A urgent voice.
I7 Us any one awake? If so, will
he or she be good enough to speak
to me at once?" There was some
thing in the peremptory voice of the man below
which, although perfectly polite, suggested the
right to disturb people, however late the hour.
He was standing on the border of bricks that
divided a bed Of geraniums from the path.
His profile was clear-cut against the sky and
there was something In it which stirred the
memory of an offensive incident in Harewoods
Tetentive mind.
Whats the trouble?" he asked
my wife and are driving to Dover-or
trying to, rather. Trouble all the way. We've
now come to an abrupt fun stop at the bottom
OF your lane saw o light in your window
and I've stumbled up to ask you TO help US
If you will"
I'm come down." said Hardwood "only too
glad, of course" He made his way down the
narrow winding staircase to the dagstone sitting
room. Come In"
George Lamberhurst's my name. What q
charming place" He shot glance at the man
whose sleep he had ruined and whose face was
in the light. my God" he said to himself,
turning away quickly to hide an uneasy flush.
~Cltye Hardwood! If he remembers me
we shall spend the night in the car"
HAREWOOD'S examination of his unlimited
guest had failed to open the chapter to
which he seemed to belong. Before, during and
after the war he had met dozens Of similar men
and yet he felt pretty certain that there was
something not altogether to the credit of this
one in mental pigeonhole. Where's your
wife?" he asked.
Relieved and not little astonished at having
been forgotten. the confidence of Capt. Lamber-
hurst came back to him. "Sitting in the car.
Have you a lantern Of sorts? nearly broke
my neck coming UP your jolly old steps,
Hardwood led the way down the hill. The
car, as dead as mutton was in the middle Of
the lane, and there. leaning against its near
side door with q cigarette in her mouth was .
most attractive girl. very young.
my wife," said LamberhurSt. He added
after brief hesitation, 'Xou forgot to tell me
your name"
HARDWOOD Give. Major r. F. A." He was
glad that his dressing gown was a smart one
He had never seen a mose attractive girl
A clear voice, round and warm. How do you
do? You must be cursing US. I am afraid it's
frightfuly late"
1.-THE major has been kind enough to open
his cottage for US. II you'll carry your dressing
case, Diana, I'll take mine, and our host, II
he doesn't mind, can bring up your small
trunk"
Thanks a thousand times" She took the
What she saw she liked. She liked the cottage,
too and said So both to herself and to its
owner as soon as he arrived
When Hardwood put down the suitcase he
noticed that the initials on it were not ID. L.
but d. B. Honeymoon probably" he said to
himself. mo time yet to have acquired mar
rfed luggage Lucky fellow this" He was
therefore much surprised when the young bride
drew away from her husbands ahectionate
touch with cutting expression Of scorn. "wiH
you have something TO eat?" he asked. I'm q
wizard at scrambled eggs. Or would you prefer
to go straight to your room"
Don't bother about food" she said CRATE
fully land I'm far too wide awake to attempt
to sleep tonight. III SIT here and read one Of
your books.
That's absurd" said Lamberhurst. May I
explore your house. Hardwood, or win you lead
the way?"
Appearing to accept the unspoken suggestion
that argument was barred Mrs. Lamberhurst
took a cigarette from q silver box and tapped It
expertly the nail Of her thumb
Hardwood picked up the cases and put his
foot on the stairs. He said Bring q candle
win you?" but stopped when he heard the two
quick questions which were asked by his visitors.
Diana, what's the idea?"
did / never tell you how much deteSt
HARP"
"I must wait until you come" said Hare
wood reminding them Of his presence on the