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Show 1 T TT ' "T1 TT' ' TT 1 lBrvc -Js' I A Force of Circumstances y Emory I 1 I' I 1T 1 IT I ITT I IT1 TP ,MI 11 I ORD ERNEST sat In a j big easv-(hair. and k stared into ihe fire a Vy He was aloni in hla Mm H chambers, and it was J ffia ,J o'clock on a mild 409 fiSSV February eveniug. SBVM' His legs were resting If on the scat of I sec- c5s oud chair and by his-L his-L .-wBsS k llght hand was a lit-J- tie table, on which Etood a decanter of whisky, a syphon There was only one light in the room a tall lamp just behind his hair, to arranged that the light fell i big book. Consequently, his face "as more or less in Ihe shadow; but, his chair was nearly parallel to the fire, the dames, which from time to dmc leapt up showed his handsome Matures, and immaculate evening f dress -dinner jacket and black tie suite - learlj enough for an onlooker to JTf l'M-oirriize him a3 a society man. AfH i gazing abstractedly into the die for come minutes. Lord Ernc6t took up the novel again and began to read. He had turned over two pages w hen he heard the door of his room open behind the thick curtains that screened the entrance "Who the deuce is that?" ho muttered mut-tered to himself. "I told Jenkins, I should not want him until 12 o'clock " A second click proclaimed tho fact thai the door bad been shut and Lord Ernest turned his head in the direction direc-tion of the sound. As he did so, the dark green curtains were parted, and a man stepped into the room. "Good e cuing. Lord Ernest." he aaid in a cool, clear voice. "Good evening. "'replied Lord Ernest, composedly. "Who the deuce are you?" The stranger smiled. "The explanation is ready," hp said; "wo will consider the question of apology later." As be 3poke he threw off the long heavy coat that he was wearing, and displayed to Lord Ernest's astonished gaze a charming court costume of the Stuart period As he stood with the lamplight falling on him, Lord Ernest noticed as he could scarcely fail to do the wonderful likeness of the stranger to himself. "I must first ask you, Lord Ernest. not to make a noise. There is no one in your room. I know, and you would have some difficulty in making yourself your-self heard. This little toy is loaded and this bottle full of chloroform; and I have no doubt that with a bullet In your shoulder I assure you I am a good shot you would be unable to prevent me from administering a small dose on a handkerchief. I should deplore the necessity of such violence and the matter really rests In your hands." Lord ErneBt smiled. vl assure you," ho replied. "I am too much interested to make any attempt to curtail this novel experience." "Thank ou," said the stranger, "then here goes for the explanation. "The Goldbpims' are giving a dance tonight faney dress." "They are." I "Tbey are " "You intended to go as a courtier Charles II period " "I did." Lord Erne6t smiled again. "Hang it all." he said "How did you know what I was going in?" "I happened to be in Deohams when you ordered your suit. Lord Ernest. Not quite by accident, of course. Such things are arranged by shall -wer say Providence? But to proceed. You would have danced with Mies Gold-helm, Gold-helm, or courseT' Lord Ernest nodded. "You would have 6at out with her after the dance? Lord Ernest raised his eyebrow s elighlly. "You would have possibly proposed marriage to her?" Lord Ernest, sat up In his charr, without, however, removing hla legs from their resting place. For a second sec-ond he frowned ; then he lay back again with a smile "I'm hanged if I know." he. said, "imt you are singularly well informed." I The stranger bowed and continued; "You had arranged to wear a cer-' cer-' tain kind of mask in order to er facilitate recognition?" he said. "Well. I'm damned," said Lord Ernest; Ern-est; and the stranger knew his ques-j ques-j lion was answered. He leaned a little more forward, and ! his hand shut a little tightly on a revolver. re-volver. "I want to borrow that mask." he said softly. "And if I refuse?" said Lord ErneBt blandly. "Then," said the stranger, with a perceptible tightening of his Hps, "I shall be forced to chloroform you, and tie you up If you struggle, I shall not hesitate to shoot you in tbe shoulder. I assure you that nothing can be heard of a revolver shot more than 12 yards from this room, and there is- no one else on this floor of the building. Also, I have given a great deal of time to this job, and I shall carrv it out whether you give me your word or not. I shall heorxy if I have- to. shoot you," he added, and fingered the revolver suggestively. "It would be deuced unpleasant." murmured Lord Ernest. I give you my word on one condition." "And that is" I "That you give me an outline of your er programme tonight." "Why, with pleasure. It is very simple sim-ple now All the hard work is done. I shall go to the Goldheims. I shall secure se-cure an early dance with Miss Gold-helm, Gold-helm, and suggest that we sit it out. Miss Goldbelm and her parents are. I believe, confidently expecting a proposal pro-posal of marriage from Lord Ernest Sinclair. If would If 1 may say so be an excellent match in every way. I shall suggest as private a place as possible pos-sible for sitting out. and Miss Gold-heim Gold-heim in not unnatural anticipation of a charming tete-a-tete, will readily fall in with my suggestion, and will lead the way to her boudoir u seme other suitably secluded spot. I shake a few-drops few-drops a few only of chloroform on to my hundkercbiefU Mis Goldheim i , ceases to exist temporarily. I renl I&m ' the famous diamond necklace and w BL out quietly with it in my pocket. S1L pie, isn't It?" 1& "Very sample." said Lord Ernest. Wt "Then, till half-past 11 I am dumb IV bur I shall give you no longer." Kf ' ' "It is long enough, thanks." replied J? the stranger "Many 1 hanks for the mask I will have It seut back tomor- Big' i row " As he spoke he was putting on Ipy his coat; he picked up the mask and Redrew Re-drew the curtain from the door. "Good Kk e vening.'' he added "I will now make iKr you the promised apology." The door K! clicked and Lord Ernest was alone. Br?. "Ah." he said to himself. "It's lucky I didn't have to stand up. or he would E& have seen that ray ankle was sprained. It's lucky, after all. that I sprained It Rrj skating at Prince's with Ida Goldheim ESfc this morning, and that she knows I can't possibly come to the dance. But It s verj unlucky for my entertaining friend, ihe necklace snateber. I'm fi&; afraid there will be ruction for him." Kr And he took up his novel and began to BKt read |