Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1933-01-08
INSTALLMENT XVIII.


A THOUGH it was full az hours
" before the great race would be
Il run, Monte Carlo was in a few
4 4 erish state of preparation.
From the windows of her suite
at the Hotel de Paris, Alacia could see,
far down the sweep Of the Condamine
which encircled the harbor, an army of
workers busy with the completion of
grandstands, on which bright bunting
was being draped and from which hun
dreds of little pennants already fut-
tered. Great banks of sandbagS padded
the dangerous turns and lined the
curbs, giving the street something of
warlike appearance, as though a
comic-opera revolution was preparing.
The novel feature of the Grand Prix
de Monaco lay in the fact that it was
run through the main thoroughfares of
what was ordinarily a traffic crowded
city, and for this reason stout picket
fences strung on wire were being erect
ed as temporary barriers at all the
cross streets. The track on which the
cars would run hundred tours lay
through the very heart of the billy
town, now mounting steep grade over
slippery asphalt, now taking hairpin
turn down a sharp declivity, ducking
under a railroad trestle and out along
the fiat boulevard on the edge of the
sea, only to double back again through
narrow streets full of treacherous
curves Probably there is no other
automobile race in the world SO dra-
matte in its setting, so varied in its
risks, nor which makes as large a de-
mand upon a drivers nerve and skill as
does the Monte Carlo Grand Prix
&c driu Itrc I'LL
professionals; the prize is a large one
and the distinction of winning is eager
ly coveted by every racing driver in
Europe.
Alacia SayerS had never seen one of
these particular contests before, but
she had already secured a place in the
judges tribunal and was looking for
ward to the event with almost unbear-
able excitement. The floods of sun
light. the exotic houses climbing from
the blue sea, their garden walls caScad-
ing roses and geraniums, provided an
incredible setting, and as she looked
out over it, watching the busy army
Of antlike workers far below, it occur
red to her that the only thing which
made the excitement endurable was
ones slight lack of conviction about
the entire picture; it was too dramatic
to be quite true. But presently the
prosaic ringing of telephone brought
her back to reality and a few minutes
later, Alacia, trim and businesslike in
a newly acquired white tailored cos
tune, was receiving press representa-
tiveS from the Eclaireur de Nice and
the Continental Daily Mail, an audi
ence which had been unavoidable from
the moment Of her registering in the
hotel. Her connection with the Europa
was well known, and almost before she
knew it. she was functioning in her
old capacity of publicity agent. Then,
just as the interview ended with Ala
cia'S declaration that she had nothing
to do with the Prince dOrsant'S entry,
the door Of the salon flew open to ad-
NIT the Grand Duke Vladimir Perwjos-
XII, completely surrounded by bell boys
with hand baggage
''Valdyl" exclaimed Alacia, springing
to her feet. How did you get here?"
"On rapide from Paris last night! -
he explained, reasonably. But, by some
mistake, my ticket was only as far as
Nice and 1 have had the devils own
time getting over here with all your
bags. 1t took two taxis," he added
mournfully, land I have no money left
to pay them"
Hastily excusing herself to the gen.
tlemen Of the press, Alacia herded the
Russian into the room and demanded
an explanation. Why had he no
money? Hadn't he been given expenses
when he left the Office?
We'll may you ask, Alacishkal" the