Evening star., 1938-01-16

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play Il may be wrong. he said, as Perigal in
response to curt nod went out and closed the
door, but give that show three weeks"
- He prepared two drinks. He had changed
his tail coat for shabby, silk dressing gown,
his shoes for pair of much-worn but COM
Portable red leather slippers And now, having
taken care of my needs, he was loading dis
reputable looking clay pipe which was his
companion in hours of relaxation.
Major Bernard de Treville is the only man
of my acquaintance of any social standing who
smokes clay pipe; although know famous
distinguished sister Thespian who favors
cigars.
We settled down in that comfortable silence
which is only possible between old friends.
studied Trevvy with interest: that handsome
face; the wavy gray hair; the strong, we'll
tended hands. l was reminded OF paint
ing reproduced as an advertisement by a
wellknown tobacco firm in which certain
Elizabethan worthless are shown smoking clay
pipes Yes, undoubtedly, Bernard de Treville
was throwback.
Perhaps those singular adventures which
came in his way as autumn leaves in the path
of country pedestrian were no more than
materialized memories of his distinguished an
oestor who had BEEN Captainof the Black Mus
keteers in the days of Cardinal de Richelieu.
We smoked and drank in silence for long
time, then: Have you by any chance noticed,
said Trevvy, without changing his lounging
position, IAN unaccomtable scuffling sound
which seems to proceed from somewhere out
side the windows?"
1t was still but cloudy night with no
moon, and as he spoke recognized subcon-
sciously that had noted the sound to which
he referred. 1t was very slight, and if we
had been talking, l doubt if either of us could
have heard it. But now, listening intently,
detected it again.
Occasionally" said Trevvy, in low
voice, II have feathered visitors on the
balcony, coming over from the Park, includ-
ing a stray owl, which visits me from time
to time, in search of tidbits - but this sound
is unusual"
The unusual sound now became more
marked, and Trevvy suddenly stood up.
There was French window in the study
opening on to that small balcony to which
he had referred, and now, jerking the curtain
aside, he stepped out into the darkness. l
sprang up to follow, and as did 50 heard
muffled cry, then:
''You must either come in, " came Trevvy's
cold voice, ''or shall throw you into Pic
cadillv Make vo,,r chOice'
I'm come in, guv'nor!"
Watching, saw strange thing. Trevvy
had firm hold upon the coat collar of a man
whom he was assisting to climb over the rail-
ing of the balcony. A moment later, he
pushed the man into the study.
was temporarily dumb with amazement;
for could not conceive by what means the
intruder had reached that point. He was
small, wiry fellow, wearing dark suit, coat
collar turned up, and what took to be silk
socks Qhe wore no shoes) until l recognized
the fact that his feet were bare but stained or
painted black.
His dark hair was cut close to the skull.
He had lean face with undershot jaw and
deep-set eyes, and sort of knapsack was
strapped to his shoulders noted the mus
cularity of his hands.
Stand over there said de Treville. He
dropped back into the armchair and took up
his clay pipe, which he had placed in an
ashtray. Il take it you thought was out?"
Listen, guv'nor, " the man replied huskily,