Evening star., 1938-02-27
Moeuzins Section

into tray upon the arm OF her chair. She had
long, slender fingers and kind of feline in
dolence AS Trevvy stood up and rang the bell,
Colonel Erckmann moved towards the door,
bowling stiff1y to each of us in turn II did not
understand the situation, he declared, his eyes
shifting rapidly from my face to Trevvy's.
His former manner had changed Il had
become extraordinarily uneasy. As the door
opened and Perigal appeared, handing him his
hat: Goodnight" he said gutturally.
Trevvy walked to the door with him, leaving
me alone with Madame Bouvard. She selected
another cigarette from box on small table
beside her, and stood up to light it. As did
50 she watched me under her long lashes.
Thank you for getting me out of an awkward
situation" she murmured
heard the whine of the lift, vaguely heard
de Treville's voice, and moment later he re-
turned, resuming his seat.
He stared across at our visitor.
"If it does not distress you, " he said, twirling
his monocle around an extended forefinger, II
should be interested to hear an explanation of
your odd BEHAVIOR
A change came over the face of Madame
Bouvard as he spoke. She dropped her mask
of gaiety. The effect was swift as tropical
sunset. 'You shall hear my explanation" she
answered quietly, "and when you have heard
it, she shrugged her shoulders - "you must
do as you see fit
She stared for some moments at the lighted
end of her cigarette, watching the spirals of
smoke ascending.
II left Essen in Germany three days ago.
For certain reasons proceeded from there to
Baden-Baden in the Black Forest. You see"-
she smiled SADLY was ostensibly travelling
for pleasure From Baden-B Baden it was my
intention to 60 to Paris, but during luncheon
at the Stefanie Hotel, on Wednesday, imagine
my feelings when looked up and saw German
officer whom knew seated at a table in the
corner of the room, watching mel"
II am endeavoring to imagine your feelings"
Trevvy murmured; "but knowing nothing of
the relations between yourself and this German
officer, find it difficult to do so''
'Of course" Madame Bouvard puffed at her
cigarette for while, and then set it down in the
ashtray. II have really begun my story from
the wrong end! But, you see didn't think that
anyone in Essen had recognized me. thought
had entirely got away with it; and by going
" DducIl-OducIl, dIlu LOI ROulS uucCIly "
Paris l supposed that should remove any
trace of suspicion. Unfortunately, I was
wrong" She laughed nervously. II had been
followed
Followed" echoed, for found Madame's
sbry more than bewildering. Followed by
whom, and for what reason?"
She fixed her beautiful eyes upon me almost
pathetically. Followed by Colonel :Erck-
Manu.
Il gather" said Trevvy patiently, that you
had met Colonel Erckmann before?"
'Of course - but didn't know that he sus-
pected me-
Suspected you of what?" asked.
'Of being what I am-an international
agent"
Great heavens!" exclaimed, and stared
at her incredulously. "You? But, mean"
"You mean," de Treville broke in, that she
is much too young and beautiful to play such a
part - except on the screen?"
He had put my unspoken thought into words.
Madame Bouvard extended slender hand.
II was trained to act in this dangerous busi-
ness. she replied quietly, almost from child.
But in this case underestnnated the intelli-
gence of my enemy. Yes, I knew Colonel Erck-
mann! And when saw him in den-Baden,
watching me- knew that had tripped I'D