Evening star., 1937-09-19
THIS WEEK

lish. why do you lie?" he exploded.
was prepared for the worst If
Trevvys idea of relieving my boredom
was to involve me in free fight, here
was every prospect of one!
The face of the formidable ruffian
at the next table slowly assumed an
expression coldly. deliberately muir
derous, as he fixed small sunken eyes
upon my friend. His thick-hngered,
muscular hands clutching the table
edge, he stood upright. Trevvy raised
his monocle inch by inch as if to follow
this movement, continuing to keep
his cold gaze focused upon the mans
face. The dark girl clasped her hands,
bit her lip and half turned as if to
stand up. The younger man smiled
in a most disturbing manner
"Yon will not describe you.
but yon - called me = a liar!'
YES" de Treville dropped his
monocle and leaned back in his chair.
"You are lying to Madame the
Duchess. Why do you lie to her?"
Those remarkable words produced
three swift changes of expression. The
big mans jaw dropped as though
someone had hit him; the other man
ceased to smile; and the dark eyes of
the woman opened widely 50 that l
realized how wonderful they we're.
you know me?" she whispered.
She spoke with no trace of accent.
Thank heaven, l am not aloner'
'Duchess?" the big man laughed
and to my great relief sat down again.
still staring at de Treville There are
no duchesses today! She is no more
duchess than l am duker'
That you are duke" drawled de
Treville, slipping his coffee, rs crime
of which would never accuse you.
l have merely charged you with being
liar, and am prepared to prove my
words"
Although this conversation which
had been conducted in low voices
could not have been audible to any
one else, the movements of the actors
had attracted unpleasant attention
from other tables. Five or six patrons
of the cafe had ceased speaking and
were watching us closely. Il was no
longer bored)
De Treville extended his large but
shapely hand, palm upward. Give
me the broken Ikon," he said sternly.
Following an inquiry. it may or it
may not be restored to you"
Great heavenr' the woman NUT
tered and closed her eyes. "You are
from Head Centerr'
Trevvy, never removing his gaze
from the big mans face, replied:
Until this matter is settled you must
regard me as being Head Center"
The open hand remained outstretched.
With an audible swapping of his
teeth. the big man plunged his hand
into pocket and produced that
object of which had had a glimpse.
1t was part of jewelled crucifix. For a
moment he hesitated. then tossed it
over onto our table.
De Treville picked it up reverently
and handed it to me. Take it, Com
missar." he said, sternly. This COM
rade must be taught respect for the
Cause
took the jewelled fragment, placed
it in my wallet and returned the wallet
to my pocket. had become more than
ever acutely uncomfortable to find
myself raised to the rank of Com
missar. was not quite clear what that
rank conveyed. yet that l had sud-
denly become focus of attention was
unmistakable That Commissar must
speak Russian was undeniable, and
foresaw almost immediate exposure.
For the convenience of the
Duchess. said Trevvy. bowing in the
woman's direction, ''the examination
will ho ~orlv~<ol - E-~1;.h ~,:<L