Evening star., 1938-02-27
H~RErr girl, isn't she?" said de Trev-
II ille turning to me suddenly.
She was

doomed screen play one of those occasions
which Trevvy rarely missed. Many of the stage
and Hollywood notables whose presence had
thrilled the audience we're now entering the
restaurant. Possibly, thought, the beautiful
stranger was a foreign film star Yet, with her
wavy and perfectly groomed chestnut hair,
long-lashed dark-blue eyes and clear complex
ion, she looked more Irish than anything else.
The simplicity of her dress - she wore
plain black frock and black shoes with golden
heels - offered no clue. But her companion,
heavily-built Teuton certainly might have
been an agent or manager.
Trevvy looked at her with frank, smiling
approval. In any other. such look could not
fail to be insolent: in the case of Bernard de
Treville it was delicate compliment.
walked across to the cloakroom attendant
to deposit our hats, and as waited at the little
counter, discovered the Teutonic gentleman
beside me- He treated me to the sort of glare
which Trevvy would have described as septic.
He had very thick neck, and his somewhat
fiat head presented the appearance of being
shaved, so closely was his gray hair cut to his
skull. A short, bristly mustache suggested the
possibility that he might be, or have been,
soldier.
l pocketed the check and turned to look
around for Trevvy.
He was seated at small table deep in con-
versation with the unknown beauty!
wondered what his object had been in not
mentioning that. he knew her, but as crossed
he stood up and presented me in his punctili-
ousy courteous manner She proved to be a
Madame Bouvard and the possessor of most
fascinating SMILE
Its ages" she remarked, making way for
me to sit beside her, "since l saw Major de
Treville Isn't it, Major?"
ages indeed" he replied, smiling. Il am
fattered that you remembered me-
Madame Bouvards friend having parked
his hat, came hnriedly across the lobby and
joined US.
"Oh, Colonel" said Madame Bouvard -
she had low caressing voice, and sort of lazy
nonchalanoe which was queerly attractive
major de Treville and his friend are joining
us for supper Won't that be nice?"
Her companion, whom she introduced as
Colonel Erckmann, did not seem to regard the
prospect with much enthusiasm He clicked his
nctlS anu OOWcu Slully, IOWCVCl
Perfect" he snapped.
De Treville insisted upon ordering drinks,
and being well known in the establishment,
booked table on the Colonel's behalf in
selected position. The n,aitre d'h6tel treated us
with Difference which was certainly impress
sive. Madame Bouvard was charming conver
sationalist as opposed to chatterbox. BY the
time that we went in to supper she had infused
a note of gaiety into the party which began to
have some perceptible effect even upon the
Colonel.
She studied the people about her with child
like interest
81 have been abroad so long," she declared
that to find myself in London again seems like
an answered prayer"
She asked for information regarding num-
Der of people dotted about the room, and de
Treville, gracefully and wittily, gave thumb
nail sketches of notables, ranging from famous
actress to much divorced foreign gentleman
of title, whom he described as professional
husband.
Nothing had cropped up so far to give any
clue to the relationship between Madame
Bouvard and Colonel Erckmann; more i'll
assorted pair it would be difficult to imagine.
He, taciturn, bovine, eating silently but enor-
mously; she, toying with her supper, behaving
1ika q vo,no cirl at her first Dartv