Evening star., 1932-12-23
INSTALLNENT XII.

TINE grand staircase of the house
was covered In deep pile vel
vet carpet which gave no sound
i and at the foot Of 1t Mrs. Say
ers paused, for the door to the
salon was open and inside, standing
before the fire, she could see . young
man. His back wss toward the door,
but his profile was caught by q double
reflection from q mirror In the salon
to one in the halls and his curious &C
tions were plainly visible to the un-
seen observer on the lowest step of the
staircase. Mrs. Sayers was held spell
bound by what she saw, for the young
man was holding q string Of pearls to
his lips!
For a moment the elderly woman
felt unable to move. What was he do
ing with those jewels? Whose were
they7 Gould they be . gift for Alacta.
or Where did he get them She
could not help the suspicion which the
knowledge Of his poverty fastened upon
him, and which was seconded by his
knowledge of where he was employed.
Then she remembered his heritage of q
great name and reconhdered. Probably
ens aorse hez was TePg otten
amazingly stubborn about parting with
their family treasures! Partially salts
fled with this explanation but with
the ghost Of lingering doubt in her
mind none the less, Mrs. Sayers finally
entered the little salon. The man
turned at the sound Of her entrance.
but the pearls had disappeared. There
was no trace of any confusion in his
manner, and, indeed. II anything he was
the more at ease Of the two.
rather breathiessly' ' '1m IN Alacia's
mother and she has been telling me
all about it! What are you and sup
Make friends, hope!" he replied
pleasantly. Are you going to give me
the chance to do that?"
oh. Of course!" said Mrs. Savers:
should hate to be motner.in-l law In .
household where I only knew half Of
what was going on"
Eyes. a haH-knowledge is too dam
gerous q thing!" Armand agreed
gravely.
now!" Mrs. Sayers declared. "Alacaa
says I'm not to call you prince. and !
don't know your name?" He smiled
engagingly as he enlightened her. After
ing woman like him. he thought, since
undoubtedly she would be formidable
enemy. For all her frivolous clothes
and the strained artificiality Of her
face there was q driving force in her
which would be difficult to combat.
"And now, my dear Mrs. Sayers,"
he went On, 'I really think you are
entitled to some credentials about me
aside from the French history books.
Do you know q Col. Hastings Brad
"Of New York? Certainly, know
his business reputation"
well, he will tell you I am all right"
said he. "At least, hope he will. He's
by way Of being a sort Of guardian Of
"He's a very important man." replied
his hostess. II guess II he's your guar
dian you'd better bring him to lunch
"I'n be delighted to-" said Armand.
Hes due here very shortly. And mean
while you can talk to NJ Piron"
And I WILL" she assured him. CAL
acia Is terribly inexperienced where
men are concerned" She was gracious
to look out for her. You understand,
I'm sure!"
Perfectly"
II can even go 50 far as to say I
don't think she's ever been In love be-
FORE" her mother went on, although
she's met lot Of men, and plenty Of
them have asked her, assure you'll"
Il haven't a doubt Of It," he replied.
"But they won't worry her from now
on. not If I know it,"
"You talk like . boy from home"
Mrs. Sayers bestowed the highest COM
pliment in her power in saying this.
And I'm going to treat you like one.
You can stay and have dinner with her,
which IS more than I'd encourage q lot
Of foreigners to do, engaged or not.
You and will have q good talk, later.
But tonight you'll have to excuse me.
I'm going out, and I don't want to be
late!"
Then run along!" said Alacia, sud-
denly appearing In the doorway. well
forgive you. The cars at the door,