The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1939-04-21
CHAPTER VII

TraCeryS MeQlc1 Room was one Oh
such intimate splendor of matter
and mind that, though I subscribed
to it, when first I awoke the next
morning, I wondered if it was not
dream.
sat between two Old Masters
on the left the Duchess of Whelp
and the right Of the Countess Of
Brief. Each glowed with the ster-
ling quality of a forgotten age. Lost
arts made up their being. Sheer
beauty lived with kindness: sheer
brilliance beamed with good will.
And each admiring the other was
thus exalted. Their natural royalty
was duly served. Powdered foot
men in scarlet livery stood behind
every chair: gold plate winked upon
the table: the choicest fare was
perfectly presented.
And there I will leave an event
which neither Herrick nor I will
ever forget, for that evening we two
hobnobbed with the stuff that queens
were made of in olden days.
That Herrick found instant favor,
need not say. Indeed, Old Harry
and he were as good as play, for,
as have said before, his address
was beyond compare, and I think
that each of them whetted the 9TH
er's wit.
When dinner was done, Herrick
and / were left with orders to ''join
the ladies" in ten minutes time:
and when that had gone, we were
led to a glorious salon, whose Six
teenth-century tapestries filed the
eye.
Though the evening was warm, a
fire of logs had been lighted upon
the hearth: before this the Duchess
was resting upon a mighty chaise
Tongue, and Elizabeth was stand
ing beside janb of the fireplace,
one of her beautiful hands on the
chiseled stone, regarding the lei
surely flicker that lowered above a
hillock of rose-gray ash.
AS the door closed behind us
81 have ordered your car" said
Old Harry, s'for half past ten. That
gives us just half an hour, which
should be enough. I've one or two
things to say, and I'll say them
first.
at think we all know where we
are and where we shall be next
Tuesday at five o'clock. On no ac-
count try to conceal that we have
already met. That way madness
lies. We have all met here tonight
for the very first time. Let no one
he ill at ease. Except for Richard
Exon, don't think anyone will"
ooh, madam" protested Herrick.
Don't interrupt" said Old Harry.
f'Besides, you'd be at ease with a
gaggle of Elders discussing the
wrath to come"
I very near laughed and Eliza
beth covered her mouth.
eff you feel uneasy, Richard, al
ways remember at once that though
Brief is doing the honors, you are
Elizabeth's guest. And that, I think,
should bring your confidence back.
You will take your man, Winter,
with you, and I shall take three
servants to look after me. One will
be Parish-that excellent English
page whom you have already seen.
Should need arise, we can commu-
nicate through them, with all con-
venience. Tell the police that you
have been invited to Brief, as you
understand, to meet me. That will
set you above all suspicion, such is
this snobbish world.
s'One thing more.
Gas luck will have it, Elizabeth S
mothers jewels were held by the
firm of goldsmiths whom / have al
ways employed. Bauble and Levity
you probably know the name. She
has, therefore, written to them to
say that by my advice she will have
the gems reset and desiring them
to be ready with new designs
against her coming to London in six
weeks time. That letter will send
the bali flying: and since she gave
this address, the reply will come to
this house and will go on to Brief by
hand, in my private bag.
"And now can anyone think of
anything else? Because, if they can,
let us have it-for better or worse.
We shan't see each other again I'M
til we strut on to the stage"
There was little silence.
every good" said Old Harry,
-'And now I want to see Mr., Her
rick alone. Take your leave of me,
Richard, and then make the best of
the terrace, until Mr.. Herrick ap-
pears. Elizabeth win 60 with you"
! stepped to her side.
Madam" / said, 81 have much
to thank you for"
II don't know about that. Never
mind. I've much enjoyed your visit
land that's a thing can say to
very few guests"
THANK you, madam" I put her
hand to my lips. 81 hope you're
not very tired
Tired be damned" said Old
Harry. Il never felt SO fit in my
Ife.'s
It'll Tuesday, madam"