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Show THE OGDi.it Sl'Aivu'MiiJ-i- ' SUNDAY MORNING, DECEMBER 25, 192a. $.9. If J I 4:.r f.1 CHAPTER XVIII She felt her question er's eyes upon her and shivered a little as she looked Into his determined face. "Have you forgotten," she demanded, "what you yourself said on the day wheii Metzger accepted the Presidency of Balkan land and you became his (Continued.) TT'S Mr. David," she said,. I "one of the deputation who A came to see you from the factory. Don'tyou remember' him? He spoke to the workpeople last knight and he was helping after-- ward with the injured. His . lower incrediwas The thing Mr. Grunby gasped. jaw fell. . X sorter ble' , First in my- factory," "A skln he exclaimed, as soon as he could recover himself, "earning his three quid a week! My God, what is this country coming to!" "You are possibly mistaken, Lady Gregson remarked acidly, raising her lorgnette and moving,her chair a little further away 'from her host's. "The .young 'man with your son is most aristocratic-looking,, far mere so than fmost of the rabble here." i The inuendo was entirely lost Spon Mr. Grunby. . "Of course, Sydney must be payfor his dinner," he observed; ing "but even then, how did Sydney get ;to know him, and why the should he brings him to a ' fashionable place like this? taste, call it! The poor fellow must be feeling miserably Counsellor?- ' .. J; .: a ' 1 r . t f ; , ' 4 - , L ,v', ' ".''':':, ..S J'' v. - r-Y- v: .; .yi:.- .', ...... - . 5 ' " 2 . rf. ' i . V V XV" t ' - ... v v I ! " df-i- .. . . ' t'i '- - ? - .? You - - to-night- ." .' ef - z ' - 1 - - ;- v - ' v ' ' i , . i , ', -- ! 'uncomfortable." ' "He doesn't look it," Edith mur- ' under her breath. mured, j X "Not so very fashionable," Lady ' Gregson yawned. "This place has never been the same since the war ''Most of my' friends go to Claridgc'3 cow, or the Tlitz. Awful crowd You. must here, most- nights. 'lunch with me one day at the Rltz, dear," she went on patronizingly to. Edith. "It's quite the iplace for meeting one's own set." ' "We'll all lunch there w, shall we, mother?" Edith sug gested. "Whatever you say, dear, ir your . . J Shock-''ing.ba- d f . X: x- ' ; r..-- vx xt. r - . - . - ; mls-'chi- &&&& ly certain that If we conversed we ha3 Imagination enough to realize what will be left. should quarrel." David sipped his, champagne. "You are an odd butterfly to "There is one Ihing,"' he said. have sprung from the Grunby "Any great change in this country chrysalis." David said, "smiling. will be gradual. There will be no "Well, if It comes to that, his revolution in our days or the genguest replied, "what about yourself af rerward. The Britisher is eration as a skin sorter and general a not rioter or a man of blood; he mystery-mongerThe- humor of loves a fight, but he hates a masthe whole situation is tJiat'I know sacre. He is also possessed of an who you are." amazing amount of common sense. David's lips came suddenly together. His eyes flashed with a At this precise stage," he added, lighting bis cigarette, "let us aban- cold, steely light. His appearance for the moment was almost terrify- - don the conversation. "Right, O man of mysteries," Syding. Sydney, however, was not In ney agreed. "I won't ask you why, the least intimidated. He seemed, I praise the Immortals that I was indeed, pleasantly .amused. born without curiosity." "What do you mean?" David demanded. "So did I when I boarded your "I was at Aix the year before the taxicab the other day," David rewar," Sydney explained affably. marked. "It might have been awk"Bad luck, but I have a wonderful ward for me it you had pushed me memory for faces. Your mother, whose escort you were, was danhack until I had proffered full exI ill there. didn't recoggerously planations. I do not think that I nize you at first you sort of should have been here dawned . upon ' me Sydney sighed. gradually. Princes don't grow on every mul"It's 'a queer world," he said. berry bush, you know, and in Tot"Here we sit within a few yards of tenham, too." murderer. No one your would-b- e David shrugged his shoulders. has done anything about it. No one will I suppose. Now let us talk of "After all," he said, lighter things. Life, he went on. resignedly, "it really carefully selecting a fine cigar, "is . doesn't matter. Paul chiefly a matter of food, tobacco, Langrode knowg. and wine, music, golf and women. Let's he i3 not likely to make a serret of It."' begin at the beginning. Hulloa, where are you off to?" Sydney's eyes twinDavid had suddenly caught the . kled with the humor summons of Virginia's entreatmute of a sudden thought. ing eyes. He rose at once to his "I'd give a fiver," X . he declared, "to take feet. am Into a to turn "I tragedy going you across to the gov"TVatcli a corned?, he. announced. me enter the jilon's den.' ; i . v;; f f X--? x,,. x ' - x . 1 x x .'x 'X -- - . ; I . - CHAPTER XIX. the casual observer the three people occupying the smalL round table Just Inside the door were certainly pei sons of distinction. Langrode's dinner clothes combined th neat-- , ness of the Englishman with the finesse of the foreigner, and the eccentricities of Blackman's tie and collar, rather harmonized with' his professorial appearance. Virginia wore a gown of black velvetj which TO . - i ;X;, . Xxx;xx-tIP X' x ! :VX-- - to-mo- r- - lather approves." Mrs. Grunby lVX i;: x sX X xi: ac- quiesced affably. "We've got a suite here," she went on, turning ;to Lady Gregson, "but we're not tied down as to meals. Most generous they are in that way, I must ... r eay." Mr. Grunby Just then was beyond approving or disapproving of anything. A second and even greater shock had reduced him to a state almost of III coherency. Helplessly he pointed out the party who were settling down into their places just a few tables, away. ; "Who are they, dear?"- his wife ' . 'v XNX VVYv; X' X X Cxr ;x-'":,- xx hiu - ' x r Nx - v ' ' ' 4. -- x , IXX:- - - .l ) " - 'f :CXx x -vvY ' rv. x, X -- x 'r x x4 - " ' r . x X ' - I r . , -- - s - asked.' . 1 - XX-X'X'..-"-- stand," Virginia protested gently. I talkeil to him often when he first came to Tottenham. We feared 4hat he might be a spy, iny step- ;father and I. It was my interest al--to discover his views. He spoke S I V ' V ' ' - X "X ' v-.x- - - X' X sX :'; : .: X -- " ' ' ' X.-;-- - ' . x--X";- X ' i -. :X. X "A' ? XX-- v X ways as one who loved the people. "He deceived you.'' was the sul- len reply. "I will say no worse of him than this: He is a cousin of the accursed Romanoffs; no aristocrat can be at heart a friend of the peo- - . .: v'. X . r.,i- , - v ' ..." . 4 ' - : t . XX1 r 1 your owe words?" x champagne ? "There was a time,v lie said, "many years ago when we met, that X4 man and I, and a grave ' g , matter came .between ' , us. - It is between us ' still. All my life he has crossed me, and even now I am not sure." He paused and glanced at Virginia significantly. The color , mounted slowly, ,at most to her temples. "I am not sure," he concluded, that apart from thi great aims of my life, he has not the desire to cros3 me In something nearer my own heart." "Thi3 talk is all too serious and cryptic," Blackman intervened Irritably. "We met for a festival. After, all these years I am to return to my own country. I can think of nothing else, and you talk of trifles. Of what account is this young man of an exiled family? Balkanland is satisfied . with her republic; she will never want to change it." Virginia nodded gravely, but ap , provlngly "My stepfather is right," she said. "Prince David . does not enter into our new scheme cf life. Let Paul tell U3 what these things are whittt have brought him to London these schemes which are to make Balkan-lan- d . self-revelati-on. XX-' w - - x , ' " X , . . A ' . X great and independent." Langrode looked nervously around. "Later on,' ha muttered, '.'later . . X. . ' ' . - X x - t- - ..f S.arnttyjf -- ' " - . ' asked, as he came to a standstill before her. ' '- gracious. David spects?" i . x. ner-tou- "I am permitted to pay my re- ; i ... . . . The one person who thoroughly ' , , X . , - - ' , - - -- on. - .,: - - 1 :. trowded restaurant, "I am permitted to pay my respects?" David asked, as he came to a standstill before her. j' Virginia's smile as she gave him her hand was sufficient answer. Langrode, though his manner was s, ftilted and he was obviously went out of his way to be s. v " , -- - ' tuin to me i e picture the papers 'his -- something." - "s . . - j - ' - ' X ,V 4 . - , , ' " - 1 .: -- x x -- . v - K ' was Grun- - ' : . : "I wouldn't missed have thfs Rhnw for v ' , X 1 . 3 , , x x ' i ' . ; V - , v ' ' - woman of his machine room all of us with tables in the restaurant,' too,, and he's got. to Bit outside., Poor old Governor! He thinks the world's gone topsy-turvy- , right .1; - - - ably," swered. "Heii Paul Langrode, chief adviser, to Metzger, PresiBal- fle In Oiouse must aiumor the ' situation Did my parhave reeked with it! ent cross his legs and look over Balkanland. X the top cf his eyeglasses at you? "Do you believe, David asked", Did he talk of the beatific and am a danger to my" coun."that union between brains try?" 'I and capital? Did he speak of labor "I . believe," Langrode replied, as merely the spoke In the wheel? "that the restoration of the monDid he offer you port and tell you archy would be the worst thing how much he paid for It?" that could for Balkanland. "He was not quite st flowery in Thre was happen a rumor that. you were his similes," David replied, helping thinking of Ignoring your sentences himself to a new dish. "Neither of banishment and returning there. was his hospitality in any way overam Inclined to think that the I powering. Otherwise you have got rumor was false. the sense of It pretty well." David paused for a moment and "Poor old Girrnor,". Sydney re- looked over the heads of the. three flected. , "He's going to have a horwith whom he was talking, people He won't see across the crowded rible awakening. restaurant with what the whole world sees, T what Its brilliant little groups of diners en 1 even 1 acKnowieue and the curtained windows, the trouble. to think about it. This Ilia through face for those few Ecconds was is coming. It great tidal wave-thwill wash all our social landmarks Continued orr Next Page.) , away. There Isn't one bf us who ; "A career of; disgrace and David said sternly. "He had been an intriguer and a traitor all his life. He was banished from Balkanland for life, and but for the revolution be would .never have returned. He has an evil Influence ig-rmin- A XX . ' . , enough. lie never did know the way to- talk to his .maitre dTiotel. - They're a sensitive race,-too."There 1? more of Interest In this as yetA been room have than you ' , ,, t MT-V- I A . you know,' for. instance, the name of the man who appears to be the host of Blackman's feast?" X Sydney shook his hetid. "Not a bad looking fellow. Seems - 4 - 1 , there "He looks clever, malicious,' ambitious and tenacious." Sydney "I thank goodness pronounced. that life has no serious side for me. ir it had I should prefer that Langrode was my ally. He has the air of a man who would stick at nothlo-day- - smile .was e. it j . , . - X ' these are fateful days, but aTlittle laughter Is good for the soul. pleasure, ... "Presently, with great David acquiesced. "I should at any to rate desire to pay my respects no la present and there your sister, should not do so un- reason why I der mv own name. For the moment I find occupation In watching Paul Langrode. You see tliat he is messages all the, sending telephone whether any of I wonder time. ' that night." was. vastly interested. Sydney "I say, it's a small world, isnt it," he declared. "So that's Langrode. He had rather, a career, hadn't he, before Metzger took him - Blackman's a little sickly, and he timorously held out his hand, only to withdraw It again as he saw that David made no answering movement. Tley both left speech to Virginia. "I am glad that you have come, she said. "Mr. Langrode has been urging me to become his ambassador. He wants to tell you that he deeply regrets the happening of the other night, and he wishes to assure you that it shall not be repeated." "So far as I am concerned, Blackman Interposed, 1 had no idea I did not understand In the least the extreme measures whlca were intended." , "I took a wrong view of the situation, Langrode acknowledged. "There is no reason. I think, Mr. David", why we should be enemies,' he added. "I have no enemies save ' my country's, David remarked calmly. "Then I am able metaphorically to shake hands with you, Lang1-- , rode replied. "My country Is my sole interest In life. It was for her sake, and In view of certain repre-- , sentatlons Tvhlch hd been made to me, that I came to the conclusion ' that It was best that" "To assassinate me, David put In. I quite understand your attl-tud"Your life or death to me per- -' Lanmde said with a sonally. "Is a matter of indiffrown, heavy ference. I seek only the good of , them concern me." There was brief silence. Syd-to ney's, mind had wandered back the matter of his guest's Identity. "To think that I wasn't there, you he sighed regretfully, "when went to my ancestral home as one of the factory committee." "It was a melancholy errand, David assured him, "but I suppose from your detached point of view there were elements of humor In dent of the kanland Republic. Incidentalthe ly, he iswhom man with I had the scuf- s Black-man'- x-'-- " ' i UP?" vx - ' xf y y ,"X ' 5 - - .5 S ' xj, X A ...,'"y , : 'i'X, t ' . '. ;.X' 'X ' 'X4 AT ' ; VY - .- in anything tj world," he declartu firmly as he .watched' the waiter refill JnU glass. "You should have seen theGovernor's face when' he ; recognized first you. then hi3 dismissed V x ; it i -- , x ' x' '4.1 h l dinner r - . . - ' , -- ' X ".- , ' : " ' rx s V ' - . prob"Very David an- N - .; ' ' v.. mX,,. j; " ?x Sydney by. , '.-' x- ' . ',..' x, enjoyed :.!:. XX -- x j , , - . ' - " , ' s X . ; ' 7 A ... , h: -- , -- f v " I ' , . drank Langrode - ?x 6eemed In Borne Indefinable way to have become part of herself, as though It had never known the hand of a modiste or a dressmaker as. Indeed, it had not, having been designed and finished in the back room at Charlton terrace with the aid of a local 'seamstress. Her neck and ears were bare jof any ornament. Her hair, glossy and blue-blacwas brushed away from In a fashion) unique forehead her but becoming. She herself seemed to have struck the keynote jof It was as though she some concealed beauty allowed had to shine out of her. She was easily the most striking figure In the k, ernors table. It's a sad world and ten of glass hurriedly. x - . p r o p h e s ied the dawn of a new era of peace and civilization, the end of nd all bloodshed strife. Why talk of killing, then? Have you forgot- J " : fx x- - . X" - X- - X? X. v -- ' - -- - .... ;v X v .v. X x j rxX' . . X - x, . . - V : A Xx .:-' 5le." '' "He surely does nc harm over "He here," - Virginia protested. as one who and talks reasonably, sees the ' Justice of the people's pause. I should rather count him our friend." "I should be a fool," Lansrode said slowly, f ever I allowed him to set foot again in Balkanland. Do net forget, Virginia, that your stepfather and I are patriots. We want to see Balkanland become great. Under a monarchy no country can ever expand to the full extent of Its possibilities. Balkanland must never again be a monarchy. We shall see to that. .. . . Virginia, you eat nothing. Of what account Is this man's life or death to you?" - , x!'-- ' . ' j s, ! ' v ' - ' after that first venomous flash, bland and Insouciant. "That man," the latter muttered, "would be one of the world's tyrant if he had his chance. It must ,b our business to see that he xnerer gets it.M 'Btu' that's what T can't under- ' - s .XX J s 'panion and was in time to see, the eyes of the two men meet.' David's expression was a curious admixture f of hauteur, and fndifTerence; Lang-rode'- I ? - d, ! X X" iXX. he dln'ng at 'Lyons.'" "Vet. on with yenir dinner, father, and . dtfn't worry," Edith advised him. "You must pay all these people far too high wases," she added With a' sardonic smile. "That fellow Blackman." ' Mr. Grunby declared, "has never earned more than 6 a week from me in his life." 7. "The. ,young lady, at any rate." dlth remarked, glancing at Vir-ginia.; "doesn't dress on that or her "own wages. I hope it doesn't sound but no one far east of Bord street had anything to do with th1 making ef that gown.'' . . . Virginia had hardly taken her seat' before she saw David not a dozen yards away. For a moment she sat .Quite still, her dark eyeS glowing like stars in their pale Befit in fr. her mouth curved into a most ri?MigMful smile. Then she remem- - -- X X ; one at that; a boot salesman whom I sacked a few days ago for and his daughter, forewoman of our machinists! What ifrtPri world coming to!" 'X Really," Lady Gregson drawled. ."your employes. seem to be well represented here. We might almost I - '.X :X: i: "God bless my soul. Emma! "'he exploded. "Edith, do you see that? A commercial traveller, and a bad ! - " ." ' ing." 0 "Quito observant, are you" not?" "I, take particular note of persons likely to be inimical tojne. I don't like Langrode. I am perfect-- . . A at - ! " x . X:? ' .' - X. ,vXX. X,. X. X.x'lXX ..X ' : " ' .' X ' XX ' " '" . '' - ' XX v v X " ' 0 |