Evening star., 1936-10-18
THIS WEEK
A Pulpit in the Grill Room
Confisssd from poss -four

My name is Tyson - Captain Tyson.
We emet several times in Monte Carlo"
To my surprise he recognized me at
once. No words could adequately
convey the frigidity Of his tone. IT
remember perfectly vel" he acknowl-
edged. What l do not understand is
your impertinent interest in me-"
You would have the whole world
crowding round your table if they
knew who you were." reminded him.
"Why?' he demanded icily.
Il can only repeat what the news
papers have been saying for many
years. You are man of mystery
just the type the man in the street
wants to know about. You are sup
posed to be worth millions and to have
sunk nearly the whole of it year by
year in buying guns, rifles and the
appurtenances of war. People picture
you as riding one of those four horses
Of the Apocalypse through the passes
and by-ways Of hell J."
Foul melodramar'
"Maybe." I assented. For the last
few weeks. however. there have been
rlmors of war. Here you are, away
from your beloved villa. out of your
invalid chair. Grant me an interview
and you will soon be free of me-"
At this point. Madame la Comtesse
returned alone. She glanced at the
chair. the back Of which l was holding.
drew it out for her and she sank into
it with smile Of thanks.
so you have ventured to come and
talk to this most unsociable uncle of
mine, Captain Tyson" she remarked.
II wanted him to give me an inter-
view for my paper. told her frankly.
II have never willingly given an
interview to Journalist in my life.
and I never SHALL" the Chevalier said
coldly. "Your presence is an intrusion.
When I leave this room, it will be to
make formal complaint"
Il shouldn't if were you." I ad-
vised him.
What do you mean?" he asked.
Retaliation" I pointed out. would
be so easy. At least one of the news
papers tomorrow morning would be
wondering why. with all these mutter-
ings Of coming war. you should be
entertaining the Prime Minister" I
added with little bow to the sallow
gentleman with the black moustache.
''of a country which is aching to make
war but starving for the means of
making it. And why the sudden ap-
pearance of that red-haired, smooth
tongued Irishman should have broken
up your party -"
There was in the Chevalier's grim
visage. as he looked steadily at me,
the one desire in life which is unmis-
taxable - the desire to kill.
II think," the Comtesse whispered.
you had better 60. My uncle 10 not
strong and he has had enough excite
ment this evening"
MY niece is right" the Chevalier
assented. ''You had better 60. young
man. You may take your melodramat-
ic trash to any newspaper you like,
but ! promise you this - the paper
that prints it will not last another
week. As for journalists -"
The Comtesse touched my hand
with icy fingers. please Co." she
whispered.
''As for Journalists" the Chevalier
concluded with a visible effort. they
can be dealt with even more easily"
Julie greeted me on my return to
our table with a smile half amused.
half sympathetic. what did you say
to make him so furious?"
allowed myself one more glance
at the adjoining table, and then told
Julie what had taken place.
Il have the great idea. Charles"
she exclaimed, rising to her feet.
I'VE leave now. We report. All that
has passed at that table worth know
- :x~zIf ~ L. =