Evening star., 1939-08-13
IIT AM told" said De Treville, staring
ahead through the growing dusk,
u that there is celebrated inn some

Where near mere. 10 you knO" any tll!lS
about it, Pergal,"
, Perigal, the immaculate chauffeur, never
moving his head, replied in manner which
reminded me of a ventrioquist's dummy:
Peter Piper's, sir, half a mile ahead
stop there Trevvy directed. I'VE will
sample Peter Piper's cellar
Very good, sir
you know Trevvy continued, signing
luxuriously as he sank back into his cushioned
corner, that there are many points in favor
of this country, notably the frequency of
roadside inns Don't you agree?'
There are many other points in favor.
so observed" " he murmured, staring at
me through his upraised monocle. The point
to whom you were talking in the hotel lobby
favorable, thought"
Dick Colton's daughter? - Yes, she's
charming We shall probably meet her at the
Folliots' tonight"
The word probably suggests an under
statement, Digger. Certainly would be
preferable.
He dropped his glass and began to hum
seen the night before | did not reply, for |
was used to his badinage and our friendship
was of the kind which allows long silences.
Perigal swung the car into Peter Pipers
as though he had been calling there all his life.
We got out and mounted the steps to sort OF
Tudor porch There was massive door
studded with big nails, wrought-iron bell
bic laafb fbprV
face expressionless hauled on the bell and
then, descending the steps, stood beside the
car like sentry.
The door was opened by big Irishman of
pugistic appearance, and out IRON the
warmly lighted interior of the place came
babel of conversation.
Good evening, Peter said Trevvy gen
tally, I'VE are suffering from thirst and so
thought we would drop in.
You are very welcome, sir, the man re-
piled with equal geniaity. whenever see
Rolls open the door myself - and ii guar
antee to kill that thirst"
We found ourselves in haf-timbered hall.
One side opened into dining room, many OF
the tables already occupied, and on the other
side into a bar But my attention was lmme-
diately attracted by flower stall in corner
of the hall occupied by a smartly dressed girl
who made charming picture, embowered as
she was in roses.
De Treville fixed his monoCle and surveyed
her smilingly. Very pretty" he murmured.
very pretty indeed" The flower seller bent
her head aside in mixture of embarrassment
and amusement.
The bar is pretty full said the man who
had opened the door You can hear them
I'VE could. Maybe you would rather kill
your thirst in here" He threw open another
door. and | saw pleasant little snuggery.
provided with hatch through which refresh
ments could be served. and furnished with
lounges around three of its walls. Upon one OF
these lounges young man lay asleep. He
wore evening dress and he was snoring loudly.
Pay no attention to him.. said the host.
''He passed out long time back. Just give
your orders Trevvy did 50. and as Peter
Piper, if such indeed was his name, departed,
he stood and surveyed the sleeper.
IAN excellent advertisement for Peters
cellar" he commented. What is this doCu-
ment which he seems to have dropped?
Following the direction of his glance saw
what looked like a visiting card lying upon
the floor where the young man s Imply down.
stretched fingers almost touched it. De
l~xto -N