Evening star., 1934-02-21
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| upper regions of the house. When
they came at length to a dark and
narrow flight Of stairs. Miss Putnam
paused.
BE careful, vicomte. The ceiling
Is q little low. Though I guess" she
went on, simpering respectfully, "you
don't need to be told that"
Not now." said Pachy, rubbing
his head.
II mean, I suppose you have often
hidden up here, playing hide-and-go-
seek when you were little kiddy."
NO" said Packy. He hoped his
companion was not going to dwell too
much on the dear old days at the
chateau. This is my first visit.
Rather like hell, isn't it?"
The secretary smirked, as Virgil
might have done had Dante essayed
a mild pleasantly while he was con-
ducting him through the Inferno. 1T
is not very pleasant" she agreed. II
suppose as little kiddy you might
have been scared to come up here"
II was never very little kiddy,"
misapprehension. Always rather an
out-size kiddy. Big bones. Lots Of
firm flesh"
Miss Putnam appeared to think this
over. Then she waved her hand in
direction of the asthmatic gurgle
which was punctuating their CONVEX
sation. This" she said, ''is the cis-
tern. It leaks"
"You are sure of this?"
ut leaks all the time Mrs. Gedge
wanted you to see it before she sent
for the plumber. Naturally, she is
little annoyed. The vicomtesse as
sured her that everything was in per-
feet order"
She's like that. A great kidder."
well, If you are satisfied :"
"Oh, quite. I consider that Mrs.
Gedge has a cast-iron case. She has
caught mother bending and will,
trust, soak it to her good"
They descended the stairs Packy
would have been quite content to
descend them in silence, but Miss
Putnam became chatty again.
II do so envy you having been in
this lovely home as a kiddy, Vicomte.
What memories you must have!"
"Oh, yes"
"You don't speak very enthusiastic
ally"
II am never fond Of talking Of
those days." said packy, who felt
that this sort of thing must be firmly
dealt with at the outset. Mine, you
see, was not a happy kiddyhood.
Lonely. Neglected. prefer to for
get it,
"How very sad"
"Oh, I'm all right now. I've perked
up lot recently"
How automatically you speak Eng
lish, Vicomte"
"Yss9"
II am sure nobody would take you
for Frenchman."
Here. again, in Packy's opinion, was
tread of thought that called for
prompt measures.
Il was educated at an English
school, Aytong."
"Aytong?"
"Oh, Eton9 That accounts for 1t.
doesn't it?"
Packy hoped so.
But what seems so odd to me is
that you speak English so like an
American"
Packy was beginning to dislike this
woman. At first she had been to him
fragile, timid little thing. Now, she
began to give evidences of possessing
many Of the less attractive qualities
Of class A gumboil.
II have travelled in America much
All, mademoiselle," said Packy, with
Gallo fervor, "how great q coun-
try"
II am glad to hear you say so, be-
ing American myself"
They passed through the hall and
came out onto the steps which led to
the gravel drive in front of the
chateau.
"OhT' said Miss Putnam. What
had caused the exclamation was the
sudden appearance of an ancient
taxicab 1t had rounded the corner
Of the drive and was bowling briskly
toward them.
This must be the due"
1.-The who?"
''The Due de Pont- -Andemer," ex-
planned Miss Putnam. "A telegram
came from Mrs. George saving that
he would be arriving today"
Her woman's instinct had not de-
ceived her. The cab came to a grind
ing halt at the steps. It's door opened.
And from it, hopping in an aristo-
cratic way, there emerged a gentle
man of distinguished mien.
Good afternoon" said the new
conner. advancing with a sunny but
dignified smile Permit me, shall 1t
not, to introduce myself. ! am the
Due de Pont- t-Andemer."
(To be continued)