Evening Star Newspaper, September 25, 1921, Page 62

T was a night in June. The Chief of Criminal Investigation De- partment was pensive. “Did you ever want to marry, Fortune?” he murmured. “Often; but never one at a time.” Reggie Fortune looked curioysly at his host. The dinner had been good, the claret very good, the cigars were of the most benignant. But still— “IWhy this touch of sentiment, Lo- mas?’ said he. students say women have no Lomas murmured drowsily. “But that's partiality. The trouble 1s, women aren’t human beings. Con- nider the parallel case of the dox. He 1s intelligen But he sets different values on things from our values. Inhuman values. Think of bones, est references, sir,” said Miss Lomas, overawed but fuming. * kX % So Reggle was allowed to inspect her register, He studled it in vain. No name suggested connection with any of the few archeologists likely to own a Hottentot Venus. He gave it up. “Well, sir?” triumphant and disdainful. very much obliged to you for your courtesy. 1 regret exceedingly that 1 have troubled you with my affairs. I need not ask you to waste more of your valuable time on the case that 1 foolishly submitted to you. . “But, my dear Miss Lomas, I'm just gettin’ interested,” sail Reggie, with an engaging smile. “You Xnow, my first thoughts were that Miss Lomas was cats, boots. It is so also with women.” hest pumps. Lomas, my good child, are you merely driveling or shall we your children had been ragging.” “Really, Mr. Fortupe! Your way of putting things! Please under- stand that the girls in my school do not ‘rag'—as you call it. I think my come to something soon?" “T am much exposed to women,"” sald the Chief of the Criminal Investiga- tlon Department pathetically, and roused himself. ‘But this is a family skeleton. T have a sister, For. tune, She is intelligent. She is al- sex leaves that to young men, Mr. Fortune.” “Women are so revoltin’ nowadays, Reggle murmured. “I wonder—you have no new women in the flock? No bold, bad rebel The face of Miss Lomas answered him. “I thought so. most as omniscient as vou, my dear fellow, and much more practical. But she can be quite maddening. She is maddening me now. Unfortunately she has no husband. She had too much intelligence. She owns a prince- 1y school at Tormouth. I believe it makes her as rich as Rockefeller. She certainly does herself very well. A month ago she wrote to me that a strange thing had happened. In the night one of the mistress’ rooms had been turned upside down." = they rag much at girls’ schools?’ Reggle yawned. “Tt might be picturesane.” “My wonderful sister wanted me to tell her what it meant. I'm not proud, Fortune. I know my limita- tions. I did not see myself in a xirls® school. Especially as an official. Now she has been writing to me that there are extraordinary developments. The room of another mistress has been upset.” “They do rag in girls’ schools! An- other advance of women. Oh, they'll have the vote soon.” “You show levity. Fortune. My sis- ter would not like it. This Is a crime. A number of photographs were taken — photographs of girls at the school Ana there is no clue to the criminal.” “The great 'Tormouth mystery. Teader In the Daily Scream—'Brains for Scotland Yard' But the inde- pendent expert found a pink hairpin in the mouth of the dachshund rext door but two and brought the foul deed home to the junior_curate. “T envv your soirits. Fortune.” Lo- man sizhed. “You have mo sister— no malden sister. * k x % ‘AND the desultory conversation AL turned feebly to something else. in_ fact, both men were feeling the straln of that tangled and squalid crime, the Pimlico murder. They had at last contrived to hang (you remem- %her it) the reluctant borough coun- cilor: but onlv Regeie Fortune could take a holiday. As he was going. he d that he thought of motoring in vonshira. “You'd better eall on my sister and igate her case.” mas smiled “I¢ 1t 1s a case. Sometimes T thinz it's a dream. “Rageing in Girls' Schools. By our Speciai Commission. ‘Orrible Revela- Lomas shook my sister won't take to you. She's not flinnant.’ “TLomns, don’t be improver. A filp- pant head-mistress! T biush. A few davs later Reezie Fortune arove Intn Tormouth. liked it. liked it hotel. and called on the Hon. Evelvn Tomas. Mise Lomas was her brother's distar In face and shape, correctly handsome. slizht. dapper. not the least Jike her brother in manner. She was ranklv middle-aged. brisk and direct. So mlad vou could sprre time. Mr. Fortune.” She sat down to her writ- ing table. “My brother tells me 1 can have every confidence in your discretion. S0 zood of him.” Reggie murmured. was annoved with Lomas. He had ant only to make friends with the ood lady. Tt appeared that he was fo be an ofcial investigator of the illy girls’ school mystery. An embar- sing position. And Miss Lomas was visiblv witheut humor. “You will understand that discre- tion is essential in this case. Mr. For- tune. Anything in the nature of pub- npardonable. You §20 Regsie sald modestly. d. “These are the Mr. Fortune \With minute and tiresome detail - heard it all over again and nothing new. One mistress’ turned upside down in the night, nothing spoiled or taken— an interval—another mistress’ room furned upside down and a number of photographs of giris taken. Only that 2nd nothing more. Reggle was bored, his eves wander from the In- shsity of Miss Lomas. When at last ahe stopped, frowning at his lack of attention, and waited in angry ajesty for him to say something— “Are you interested in archeology?" was what he said. “I beg vour pardon” said Miss Tomas, in an awfyl voice. “] was wonderin’ about this” Reg- rie murmured. and took up from her table a little vellowish thing model- d into somathing like the shape of a woman. “Fascina 7 “It seems to me chil gusting, Mr. Fortune. Snapped at him. “It has nothing to do with the case. But I am afraid affairs merely amuse you, Mr. lease, please.” Reggle pro- You see, you're so lucid. Miss These odd affairs are hardly over lucld. Anything may have to do with anvthins. Just consider. You tell me that in vour school there has been happening something un- a Extraordinary, unprecedented and aifturbing,” Miss Lomas cried. “And then [ find this lyin’ about—a Hottentot Venus in a girls school— that's very highly unusual ‘The thing is just a little ivery jdol.” said Miss Lomas, and took it from him and looked at it with ais- wust. It was crudely and oddly shaped, like a child's modeling. It's not ivory, and probably it wasnt an ldol.” Reggie snapped. T trv to be, s T.omas cou His excellent temper found Miss Lomas trying. “It's a horse’s tooth, and was no doubt carved as a doll or a work of art. But how did it come into & girlg’ school?” 1 quite agree that it is most un- suitable. 1 should miyself call it in- decent. That is why I keep it on my desk.” (Reggie mastered a smile.) “It was found recently in the Hbrary. No doubt one of the girls having re- jations in Indla or Africa was siven the thing as an odd savage trinket. She lost it and, recognizing that it was an undesirable thing, is afraid to claim. As a matter of school dis- cipline I am disturbed and annoyed. 1 cannot conceive that it concerns you, Mr. Fortune. ‘s the only thing that interests sald Reggie. He was tired of the lady. “You don’t understand the question, This isn’'t the kind of trinket any one can pick up. it's a jewel. This little lad: -h handled her affectionately- tcen thousand years old. pal olithic. There's only a few of her in the world. Some Frenchman called her type the Hottentot Venus, be- cause she' little like the women of that tribe. But the woman she was modeled on may have been an anced- tor of yours or mine.” “I think not, Mr. Fortune.” Miss Lomas was horrified. “We have had time to improve her, madame.” Reggle bowed. is the point. Outside national mu- seums, there are only half & dosen collections which own oné of theae Jadies. Who's the quain that e e fo & Schooleiel (o with? ”wluy!mnumud ris? “I only accept pupils with the high~ 4 his head. ‘Tm lfrl!d‘ Fout | rataly We must have the second soiution. Somebody wanted somebody’s photo- graph.” “But why? Why should one egirl want to steal photographs of the other girls? It's nonsensical.” “Oh, it's all mnonsense,” Reggie agreed cheerfully. “It's gibberish till we find the key. But here's one odd thing for certain, the Hottentot Venus. 1 expect to find a lot more before we've done.’ ‘Do you wish to alarm me, Mr. For- tune?” ‘I'm only tryin’ to keep you inter- ested. Now all these things have hap- pened recently. Has any one new come to the school recently? Any new servant? Any new teacher? Well, any new girl? “It's very unusual to have any new girls this term. But we have had one—Alice Warenne. She came with the highest introductions, Mr. For- tune. The Countess of Spllsborough asked me to take her.” “And who are Alice Warenne's ople?” “Her father is English but lives abroad. A distinguished-looking man, obviously well off. He has friends, as you see, in the best society. Her mother, I belleve, has been long dead. She was brought up in France, and speaks French better than English. But this is all waste of time, Mr. Fo tune. Alice Warenne is a delightful girl—a sweet nature. I can't jmagine anything against her. Pray don't form idle prejudices.” “And has anybody called to see Alice ‘Warenne since the affair of the pho- tographs?" Miss Lomas showed some surprise. “Dear me, Mr. Fortune—now you mention it, yes. Her father was over in England and came down to see her a few days ago. He had another man with him, I remember."” “Another? Do fond fathers often bring_a faithful friend down to see how their daughters are growing?” “Now you mention it I suppose it is unusual.” Miss Lomas looked at Reggie with apprehension. “Still, it's quite reasonable, Mr. Fortune.” “Well—if he were a brother—or a selected flance. “Really, Mr. Fortune! Alice is a Not more than sixteen. This other man was older ti her father. I wish I could remember his name.’ “So do 1,” Reggle agreed. “It was nothing uncommon, I think. He was rather an uncommon-looking man—big and handsome, but artistic or Bohemian in his clothes.” “And after the fond father and the faithful friend saw Alice you found this little lady”—he held up the Hot- tentot Venus—"in the library “It was—the day after,” . “Good gracious! getting on, aren't we?" Reggie smiled. “But 1 wonder where Wwe are getting to?” 7 “They saw her in the library. 1 | planation,” Miss Lomas said. | “Reggie put the Hottentot Ven his pocket and smiled at her. ure you're much too wise. Let's say nothing till we can say something sensible. 1 should like to see Alice. Just ‘for to admire, you Know. “The giris will be in the playing field now.” “Delightful. Suppose you walk me through. Treat me as if I was in- tendin’ to be a parent. y “] beg your pardon?’ said Miss Lo- mas, with emphasis. “Oh. I mean a fond father comin’ to see it it was all nice enough for my darlin’ daughteér. Don't let Alice think I'm interested in her.” “Very well, Mr. Fortune” Miss Lomas went off for her hat. The playing field was a pleasant place set about with old oaks, in the | freshest of their leaves then, through | whica there were glimpses of the sun- {1it Devon sea. Comely girls in white, in ball, or ran and smote across the ten- nis courts. Reggie paused and sank down on a seat. “This is very pretty,” he murmured. “Here are our young barbarians all at play. Why will they grow up, Miss Lomas? They're so much more satistying now." Miss Lomas stared at him. urally they grow up,” she explained. “They can't be children all their Ives.” “Some of us never were,” Reggie sighed. “Charming. Charming. Like !the young things in Homer, what? i‘l‘he maidens and the princess of the white arms they fell to playing at | bail. Charming—especially that on Yes, Which cid you say was Alice “'hat is Miss Warenne.” Miss Lomas pointed with her sunshade to two girls arm in arm. One was a_tall creature, a woman already in body and stately, with a fine, bold face, and red-brown hair that glowed. “Why, she's a goddess!” said. “Oh dear, no,” said Miss Lomas. “rhat's Hilda Crowland. Alice is the little one.” “Let's go and look at the basket ball,” Reggie suggested, and to do that walked across the field on a line which brought them for & moment face to face with little Alice Warenne. She was & tiny creature, and had appropri- “Nat- Reggie ately a round baby face. She was dark | and plump and dimpled. But although | her hair was not yet up, she need jnot have been younger than her mag- nificent companion. * E x * R!GGIE FORTUNE'S: interest in basket ball was soon exhausted. ‘They went back across the field at an anglé which brought them again face to face with Alice Warenne and her imposing friend, and while they passed, Reggie (rather loudly) was asking Miss Lomas questions about the school games and the school time- table. As soon as they were out of hearing of tha two girls he broke this off with & sharp, “Great friends are they, those two?" “They - are always together,” Miss Lomas admitted. “And who is the magnificent crea- ture?” ‘Hilda Crowlend? Why, she’s been -with me for years.” “And she's the bosom friend of this only been here s couple Reg- *Oh, - Lord, Hilda gle sald_irritably. Crowland?" ' “Well, her mother is a widow and very well off, I believe. She lives in Cornwall. Hilda ocame to me through Lady de Burgh. Of ooum‘ on [you understand, Mr. Fortu ha that implies ifréproachable family eqn-euou dare say. I dare ssy. Lomas, it's & qiéer case. ‘Well, Miss 1 will take a girl in yout school, is oncmol It may be a matter outside your re- “I am!| clustered, arms in the air, at basket soothin’ and | iafo it further. Some- | ent, t-fi&um rather elabo< 3 school, bl THE SUNDAY STAR, WASHINGT The Hottentot Ve sponsibilities. unpleasant.” It may be something ! “Good gracious, Mr. Fortune, what do you suggest?” Miss Lomas was rather excited than alarmed. “I don’t suggest anything, I have no information. The trouble is, Miss Lo- mas, you know nothing about your girls” “Really, Mr. Fortune! I have told you, I insist upon- “Good references. _Anybody can find | good references. Did your brother never ‘tell you about the prime min- ister's butler? He came from an archbishop." “Is there anything you advise me to do?" = “Be ordinary. Absolutely ordinary. I shall stay in Tormouth at present. I'm at the Bristol.” So he left Miss Lomas rather ruf- fled, ‘but under that deeply gratified, beczuse her case really was a seri- ous case, her acumen was vindicated, her brother put to shame. Her school fourd her more masterful than ever. | Reggie's room at the Bristol had a| balcony which looked on the sea.! There he sat before an empty plate | which had held muffins and lit_one of his largest cigars. “Now where 1 have I seen that little minx before?’ said he. Upon that guestion he concentrated his mind, and (omitting_the adven- tures into blind alleys) his thoughts were like this: “Typewriting 3 why does swect Alice suggest type- writing? . . . mes petites manches | de satinette . . . my little satinette | | [ now what in wonder is that P Oh, my aun She was the demure little typlst In_that play at the Varieties last year. What was her name? Alice Ducher! . . . Oh, Peter! A soubrette from the Va. irietes in a blameless English girls' |shall certainly ask Alice for an €X-| g upoo): Ye stately homes of England! ve me air: He_took from his pocket the Hot- tentot Venus and contemplated her severely. “I don’t know which of [ you_is worse, darling.” he said, “you | or Mile. Ducher. What are you at. nyway? Lord, T wouldn't have thought she had anything to do with paleolithic dolls: What's the connec- | Aarling”" The Hottentot Venus raturaily silent. iR - sighed and put her away jand began to contemplate the beau- } ties of nature. Tormouth, you know, iis placed upon an agreeable bay, its sands are whita and its headlands of ia dark rock which in a flood of sun- { shine discover gleams of crystal {amid a reddish glow. So Reggle saw them as the western sky grew crim- son and the flood tide sparkled in a | thousana golden jewels. A delecta- | bl scene. It was lJaberious to go on thinking. Tormouth is an anchorage | favored by yachts, and though it was early summer two or three white craft lay out in’ the bay. Reggle went into his room and came out agsain to the balcony with a binocular. The influence of the evening was upon him, and he felt a need of futile di- version. He focused the glasses upon | the yachts. There was a big schooner and two steam boats—one a small | packet with the white ensign of the IR Y. S., the other a big craft under | the Italian flag. He could not make {out the names. | A waiter came to take his tea away. “I want the local paper. And do you keep Shearn’s Yacht List?” Both were brought. The yachts in Tormouth bay were reported as Sheila, Lorna and Giulia. He turned them {up in the list and whistled. The owner of the Giulia was the Prince of Ragusa. : “This is getting relevant,” said he. The Prince of Ragusa, hereditary ruler of some ten square miles and | fabuiously wealthy, was known to the learned as a zealous archaeologist. He was onc of the half dozen men in the world whose collection might con- tain_a Hottentot Venus. But, un- less his reputation belied him, he was very unlikely to know or care any- thing about a soubrette from Paris. And why should he send his Hottentot Venus to a girls' school? “Still several unknown quantities,” Reggle reflected. And vet there was the Hottentot Venus in the Tormouth schoof and there off Tormouth lay the Prince of Ragusa. “I think we'll make Brer Lomas sit up and take notice,” said Reggie, and devoted him- self to the composition of Latin prose. Thus: “De academia sorols nonnihil timeo nec quid timean certe scio. Sunt qui conjurarint et fortasse in flagitium. SI ‘quid, improvisium vel mihi vel! academiae eveniret principem de Ra- | gusa et navem eius caperc oporteret.” This he wrote on telegraph forms, and with his own hand_presented t the lady at the post office, who was justly horrified. “But what language is it? tested. “There you have me,” Reggie con- tessed, “It would like to be Latin, but I left school when I was young.” * ¥ ok * THE lady sniffed, but, Mooking at it again, saw that it was address- ed to Seotland Yard, and said, “Ah, I understand.” “I wish I did,” Reggle murmured. For the sense of that mysterious tele- @ram is: “L am anxious about 3 sister’s school, and don't qulnt‘: k’n‘:::: what I am afraid of. There is & con- lwlr"nl:! on foot which may be erim- nal. pens to me or the school, Prince of Ragusa n.v?dn S ‘Yes. Nuts to crack for Lomsas,” said Reggle. And he went to dinner. A 1t is now necessary to employ the narrative of Miss Somers, B.Sc. On the next day thers w: e given in _the Tormout! ¥, Hotatio togr: - B the Arctio réglons. %o such edifylng £ WS aCCUS-. lai she pro- ment éd to_gend her girls, Miss was in charge of the def which marched to the assembly rooms on this occasion. Her If_anything unforeseen hap. |t is y-cht.s N purged of emotion unfit for a female bachelor of science, goes like this: She noticed nothing till the pictures began—that is, till the room was darkened. Then two girla got up in a hurry. One of them, who was Alice ‘Warenne, whispered to her as she passed that Hilda Crowland didn't 1 very well. Allce was going out with her and would look after her. They went. At the close of the lec- ture, one of the attendants ap- proached Miss Somers and sald she had been asked to_tell her that the two young ladies had gone back to the ‘school. TUpon this naturally follows the re- port of Constable Stewer of the Tor- mouth borough police. To this effect: Was on duty 3:30 p.m. on the quay; motor launch from Italian yacht came in and lay by No. 1 steps; two young ladies came {n a hurry and en- tered launch; gentleman who had been smoking cigar in vicinity thrust paper al half-crown Into my hand, saying, “Constable, wire that imme- diate”; gentleman then took flying leap into launch, which was already shoved off, and _engine started; launch steered for Ttalian yacht; re- turned to station to make report. The paper when examined by in- spector on duty was found to bear these words: “Lomas, Scotland Yard. Two girls on Giulla. Me too.—F." A telegram was sent. About tea- time Scotland Yard telephoned to know whether the yacht Giulia was still at Tormouth. A sergeant hurry- ing to the harbor found P. C. Stewer back at his post watching a smudge of smoke on the horison. About that time Miss Lomas called at the police station to ask If anything had been heard or seen of two of her girls. So we leave the Inspector almost exploding with a sense of the im- portance of his office. “Mille pardons, mademoiselle,” sald Reggle, as he arrived in the launch and grabbed at his hat and, invol- untarily. sat down upon Miss Cruw-‘ land. With a firm and friendly hand she assisted him to recover his bal- ance. She was in all respects made to sustain shocks. Her gray eyes smiled at him. A man—an oldish, solemn man who was horrifiel—confronted Reggl: “You cannot come here, monsieur,’ he cried in French. “I dare to assure you of the con- says Reggle 1n the same lan- guage. “This is a private launch.” “Perfectl Of the Prince of Ra- gusa. It is why I have arrived. I have news for the Prince of Ragusa— news which will surprise him mar- velously.” The solemn man was embarrassed. Nevertheless, 1 protest. sir.” “l make a note of your protes sald Reggie, and bowed. The solemn man bowed and seemed satisfied. Reggie sat down beside the little Alice Warenne; who had been watch- ing all this very demurely, a contrast to Miss Crowland, who was frankly amused. “Permit a lover of art to address you, mademoiselle,” said he. “I desire infinitely to thank you for the great pleasure which you have given me. “How, sir? I do not understand.” Shé looked more a baby than ever. “Your little sleeves of satinette,’ Reggle murmured. “Your adorable little sleeves of satinette. And then she laughed, and Reggie knew that he had made a mistake. She was the soubrette of the Varfe- ties. The laugh of Mile. Ducher was unforgettable. “I am a great artist, sir, am’I not?" Hilda Crowland smiled at "her. “Monsieur s a friend of yours, Alice” Only an admirer at presnt, darling.” She gave Reggie a glance which was not the least childish. “I dare to hop again she laughed. They were alongside the yacht. The ladies were handed to the gangway, and Reggie went up it ¢lose on their heels. ‘here seemed to be a deputa- tion waiting for them on deck, a middle-aged deputation ‘which, on the coming of the girls, bared its gray and bald heads. Two men stood out from it who lifted their caps, but put them on again, one a young fel- low of a sprightly air, the other gray and grave, with a certain as- sured stateliness. At him Alice made a saucy curtsey. He<came forward and took Hilda Crowland’s hand. “My dear child,” he sald in Buglish, very welcome,” and he kissed her on_both cheeks. She flushed faintty. “I do not un- derstand you, sir.” She withdrew her- self. “I present fo you your cousin, the Comte de Spoleto.” The young man smiled at her and kissed her hand. ‘The elder man turned to the others. “Gentlemen, I receive today my daughter. the Duchesse de Zara.” One by one they came forward and were preserited and kissed the wondering girl's hand. And at the end of them marched Reggie and stood before His Highness the Prince of Ragusa, who became Immediately the most amazed of men. “I do not know you, sir,” he said, with intense disgust. “Who i8 this, Audagna?” He turned fo the man who had béen én the launch. “I reptesent her mother,” said eggle. ‘A wave of emotion shook the depu- tation. Hilda flushed and looked at Alice, who laughed. His Highness 00d very stiff. “1 have not desired that her mother should be represented,” he announc “T eanfiot defend ft! r highness,” sald Rezgle blandly. *I do not admit your right to be here. sir,” the Prince cried. *“rhat’ makes your conduct still more suspiclous,” said Reggte. * kX usummou:z" The Prinee gasped and turned upon the othets. “He -says suspicious!” Horror overwhelmed them &Il Thé- firiicé was the first seif-control. “Be Reggie said, and 4 ed. | would tell m D, C, SEPTEMBER pleased. to follow me, sir,” he’sald, with awful courtesy. ‘Hilc:, my dear child” He gave her his arm. “Spoleto! The family party and Reggle went down to his highness’ cabin. Only Hilda was asked to sit, and in per- fect calm she sat. Nothing but a shade more color in her cheeks, a brighter gleam in her eye, confessed that her stately head deigned to take :lny interest in her strange situa- on. The Prince of Ragusa turned to “I do not yet know your r.” So Reggle gave him a “Mr. Reginald Fortune—a law- yer, sir?" “I am a surgeon. But let's hope we shan’t need my professional quali- lcations.” “It 18 very well. You are here to represent my wife. I do not allow that my wife has any right to share | my plans for my daughter. But since | you have intruded, sir, I do not ichoose to conceal my intentions. I have resumed my control of my daughter because she is now of an age to take her proper place at my side, to perform her duty to her fam- ily, and to carry out the plans which 1 have formed for her.” ‘Admirable. And shall we hear Miss Crowland's intentions in the matte Reggle looked at the girl. “Be pleased to speak of my daugh- ter as the Duchesse @e Zara.” A throb passed through the vacht. Reggie looked out of the porthole and iy, 0/ “AND THEN I FIND THIS LYIN’ ABOUT—A HOTTENTOT VENUS IN A GIRLS’ SCHOOL!" sa water sliding by. “So we're oft.” he smiled. “The yacht sails immediately for Ragusa. 1 shall not be able to put you ashore, sir. For any discomfort you undej be pleased to blame yourself d your employer. 1 see a rashness in your actions which I should have expected from my wife.” Reggie chuckled, vell, well. And of course, you don’t like being rash!” “On our arrival at Ragusa you may, if you choose, remain and be present {at my daughter's marriage. “Oh. Shali I be present, sir?” said Hilda, with a dangerous meekness. “My dear child!” his highness said affectionately. “Mr. Fortune—you have the happiness to be present at the betrothal of my daughter, the Duchesse de Zara, to my nephew, the Comte de Spoleto.” It was Reggie who preserved an ap- propriate calm. He only gave cne chuekle. “How? But—but it is incredible Spoleto cried in French, and recoiled, gesticulating. The prince flushed and glared at him. Hilda stood up. “This is ridiculous, sir.” she said, and was pale. diculous, that Is the word,” Spo- leto cried. “Be silent, Spoleto. My dear child, you do not understand.” ‘1 understand enough. you are my father. to know my father. I—I do not mind knowing you. But this—it is absurd and insulting. I will not hear any more about it. know nothing about him.” veyed Spolets with disdain. ish to make his acquaintance. Thank you very much,” Spoleto cried. “Hilda! Be pleased to remember that you are now to do your duty as my davghter. I do not permit dis- obedience.” You say His “highness, whose gray hair was becoming disheveled, made a violent gesture. “English! She is as Eng- lish as her mother.” “Qh. If you are going to say things against my mother I will go,” said Miss Crowlznd. “You came from my imother, sir. 1 should like to speak to_you." Reggle bowed and opened the door for her. As they went out he heard Spoleto say in Freach, “Do you see, my uncle, this does not do, d then a storm. The house of Ragusa was divided against itself in throes. On deck, Miss Crowland seemed to have some difficulty in making up her mind what to say. “Does my mother know about this?" she broke out at last. ‘That's between you and your con- science, isn’t it?’ Reggle smiled. i “I haven't told her anything, but {she has never told me anything,’ Miss | Crowland said fiercely. “How did she come to send you here?” Some rather odd things happened | at schaol, you know.” ‘Did they?” sald Miss Crowland, in dolighted amazement. “What things?” “I wonder if you know who little Allce Warenne really is? She is an actress from the Theater des Varie- tes in Paris.” Miss Crowland laughed. “She was employed to get a photo- graph of you, to find out all about you, to arrange fof you to be kid- naped like this, and to persuade you to come aboard.” “Monsleur is a detective!” Alice slld up between them. “Oh, but a Except that she very great detective.” “f knew all that. Miss Crowiand turned re you an sctress?” " “Alice laughed all over “That is the prettiest M. the 4 “Darling! her baby face. compliment, 18 it not, tective? “If you think she has cheated me, she has not. She told me that the Prince of Ragusa said he was my father, and that he wanted me to come on his yacht. My mother never anything about my T didn’t think that was fair. So I came. And now, Mr.—Mr. For- tune. what will my mother do?”’ “What shall we all do?" Reggie laughed. “You're in a hole and your mother's in a hole, and the Prinee of Raguss s in the deepest hole of the three.” “Excepting always M. the detec- tive,” Alice laughed. D father. m"’ "and the’ nice pollcement” you imagine you are here to T think T ought| " the. beaniital Bnglant — sho ul &1 e ol e Rato, tne bl co 1921—PART 4. nus — — — — — — The Latest and Best Story by H. C. Bailey look after me?” said Miss Crowland)with him, which you may think was only fai; It was very late before flercely. l “Think Gf me as a mother,” said|his highness (who a morbid Reggle, and she went away in ainterest in his limbs) could be got to rage. sleep; very late—or earl fore #Well, monsieur?” Alice laughed|Reggle went to bed, but all the while at him. “You are making friends :Ihe G;ulla was :(um’énz i:ack to Tor- everywhere. ' You are content?” routh, and when Reggie came on “IZ T had'a ragor and g clean shirt,” | d¢ck again “pink and beautiful” as Reggie 8a1d. . ; o . Ido|a rasor and linen of Spoleto’s, the notA;vll:'y-m—;‘n‘a'v'vn:;& e alt them?w | brown Tormouth headlands loomed principal_Boys. Bon voyage, mon-|through ;he“ ;::rn‘lln.gkh-::" aio sieur* Bhe tripped away. and Hilda, walking together, nego- e B ufl‘t‘lng. as it appeared, a defensive was made clear to Reggie that he|alliance. g s R iliais (o elpavnias on g e yerm AN ae e Tiaw board. The retinue avoided him emphatically. The royal gle. of the prince “How is my uncle, Mr. Fortune?” family remained helow. He was taken to a cabin, and there dinner was said Spoleto. thank Reaven.” served him. “Still asleep, “He is not in any danger?’ sald “And not a bad dinner, elther,” said as he went on deck again. Hilda, “Well, you know, he's so anxtous mself.” dark and a moonless night. The yacht was meeting a southerly about hi “I should never forgive myself if anything happened!" Spoleto crled. “Oh, I should, you knew, I should,’ breezo and the first of the ocean swell and grew lively. Reggle had the deck to himself. He was nearly at the end of his cigar before’ any one Reggie murmured thoughtfully. They did not attend to him. Hilda urbed his humorous meditations. “Mr. Fortune? YOu amuse your- “But you are not to blame.” self?” It was 'lhe Comte de Spoleto. was interested in Spoleto. “You are not to blame for anything." “You say that!" Spoleto erfed. “Thank you, my cousin.” and he kissed can smil “In effect, my friend, we are ridic- ulous. My uncle he is a dreamer— a student. He sees a thing in his her hand. “Oh, but you are absurd,” said Hil- mind, it*is logical, it is to his de. da, and flushed faintly and turned away. Spoleto made a gesture of despair. “Quite, quite.” Reggie sald. “So we better have breakfast.” During that meal he might have heard, if he had listened, the full history of the emo- tions of the Comte de Spoleto. He escaped from them to visit his patient. The prince was much cheered by & night of sleep, still excessively in- terested in his injuries, but now hope- ful about them. He gave great honor to Reggie's treatment of the case. “My dear sir, I must consider it provi- dential that you were on board. Oh, but_certainly providential.” “Well, sir, the affair might have taken a different turn without me,” Reggie admitted modestly. “Indeed, yes. ™ his highness. “Good God, Mr. Fortune, and how I resented your appearance yesterday He became thoughtful. “I think what noyed me most was that any one should have discovered my plans.” e gazed at Reggie. “Are you free to tell me. Mr. Fortune? I am much in- terested to know what brought you here. Did Hilda say anything to her mother? there a traitor in my camp? Spoleto—that little actress?” “Here's the traitor, sir.” Reggie took out of his pocket the Hottentot Venus. *‘Good heavens ‘The prince took her affectionately. “My new paleolithic ‘enus. “You left her in the library at the Tormouth school. There are not many men in the world who have a Hotten- tot Venus to lose. to me that the Prince of Ragusa was taking action with regard to Hilda Crowlan: “You have a great deal of acumen. Mr. Fortune,” said the prince, and the sound of the cable broke off the con- versation. * X ¥ % HERE is a hospital at Tormouth. The Comte de Spoleto went on shore to bring off its X-ray man. Reggie stretched himself in a deck chair to wait events. They were not long in arriving. A shore boat brought off the Hon. Stanley Lomas, dapper as ever, and 2 woman whom Reggie identified by her hair and her mag- nificent figure as the mother of Hilda —Mrs. Crowland—the Princess of Ragusa. Reggie went down the gangway to meet them. Lomas sprang out of the boat. The princess was handed out went up the gangway. “Good God. Lomas shook hands. “You're ERDERT MURRAY.> he remarked to his mirror, thanks t-{n | | So she suggested }and began to chatter—all about h [ | tude. “Genius—just genius. The Princess Lad met her daughter Who was not abashed. “Hilda! "W do_you do this extraordinary thing And Hilda said quietly, “I wanted to know my father.” “You make us all ridiculous,” Princess cried. T don't feel that” Hilda put up chin. “May I present Mr. Fortune, ma'am? Lomas put in. Reggie bowed. “f am sorry to teil you, madame, that the Prince has had an accident.” A fall down the com panion. He is in bed. I am waiting for an X-ray to be taken of his arm But I assure you there is no caus: for alarm. “I am not alarmed,” said the Princess. “I wish to sece him.” “Certainly. You will not forg. that I have told him I represent you. “It was an impertinence, Mr. For- tune” said the Princess, and swept to the companion. The door of the Prince’s cabin was shut on her. “Jam for the Prince.” Reggie made a grimace at Lomas. “Strictly speaking. what's my Jocusy standi?” said the chief of the crim- inal investigation department. “Don’t funk, Lomas. I dare say she’ll murder him. where you come in.” 8o they were depressed till the r. turn of the anxious Spoleto with lis X-ray man. Reggle descended upon the Prince and Princess. She was sitting_upon his bed. = ing. She kissed her Highness as she went out. All which Reggie observed with : face of stone. T am_infinitely your debtor, Fortune,” His Highness “You are not married, no?” “It ‘becomes every day able.” said Reggie grimly. ‘One never knows the beauty of woman's nature till one is suffcring sald His Highness. The X-rays were put to work on the arm and the operator and Regg went off to the yacht's dark room As the plate came out, “I see mo in- jury, Mr. Fortune,” the operator comi- plained. “Fancy that” said Reggie. Outside the dark room the Princd was impatiently waiting. “Well, Fortune?* “Well, madame, there will be no need of an operation.” The Princess frowned at him. “I suppose 1 am much obliged to you Mr. Fortune. h to hear more of your part in the 2 Reggie, he has The Princess swept on. the door of the music room. She r vealed Hilda and Spoleto. Hilda was being vehemently kissed. Reggie fled. Professional instinct. he explained. took him back i patient. I am very pleased 80 much improved. Res nursing are all that is now need His Highness laughed like the less prob- a self. Reggie broke in at the fir: t is a satisfaction 1ch good spi His Highness ov He did not know how Mr. Fortune—what to offer him. 1f 1 might have this little lady r” Reggie took up the Hottentot Venus. “It would be a pleas mento of an interesting adventure And so he went off with the Hotten- tot Venus in his pocket. He hurri on deck to the uneasy Lon Yo were right, Lomas. You ure alw We have no loc barked hurriedly from the roval house of heaven,” said Reggic. “therc marrying nor giving in That's why I'm going there. her"—he produced the Hottentnt Venus—"“she's the only sensible woman T ever knew. Lomas my dear old man. do_you know vou will h to explain 211 this to your sister?” The chief of the criminal inve: marria Look v How did you bring them sire, and he conceives it done. He has been like that always. A tempera- He is not a man of the world.” guessed that,” Reggie murmured. But what to do? The situation is impossible, my friend. Conceive my feelings. This young girl—she is fresh, she is superb as a morning in the mountains—and by me she is ex- posed to this humiliation. And I— whatever I do, I am ludicrous. I beg of you, my friend, believe that I feel it. Imagine my_position.” “Imagine mine. You might lend me a razor. But hardly a tooth- brush.” “He will not touch land before Spain. Oh, yes, he is capable of it, my friend. But this young girl—" 5 “Did you bring a toothbrush for her?” er? There is everything for her. Maid: clothes. Oh, he has thought of every. thing, my uncle. He calls it her trousseau. What a man!” “Better mutiny. Seize the yacht. Can you navigate? I can't. That was always the trouble in the pirate storfes.” “Mutixy? They would all die for him. Oh, you are laughing at me. Mon Dieu! my friend, this is very serlous. I beg of you, confide in me. You must have some plan. I promise you 1 desire nothing better than to ‘mademoiselle to her mother. ‘Spoleto’ They turned. The Prince of Ragusa stood at the head of the. companion. “My dear uncle—" i traitor. You are a Y “That is not true!” “You plot against me with this fel- low. It {8 incredible. It is villainous. It is treachery.” . “Sir, I will take that from no man. “Yes, you will take it. You will Reggle that his highness was t to box his nephew’s ears. Reggle let himself go as the yacht pitched. They ail jostlea together. His highness vanished down the companion with & “Now you've done it sald Reggle. Spoleto exclaimed, peered &t the body lying below, showed Reggle a white face, and hurried down. Reg- gle followed slowly. His highness was already surrounded by servants and his suite. «When you have all finished, TH tell you where he's hurt,” sald Reggle incisively. 5 [, “Ab. yes, you are & surgeon,” Spo- Jeto crled, “Stand aside, stand aside. | The gentieman is a surgeon. Tell me, lis he head?" His highness had begun to_groan. “Don’'t be_futile,” sald knelt and began to straigl the heap. The process caused his Highness anguish. “Yes. He Pln't; walk. We must get him to bed to ! examine him.” dl an l The Cameron Eim. HE so-called “Cameron elm” is south of south wing of the Capitol, almost, in the middle of the broad paved walk ‘which leads to the south entrance. Going to or coming from the Capitol by this entrance, one has, literally, to go around the tree. The dignifted, ivy- bordered pathway suddenly narrows in a very undignified manner to a fourth of its eriginal width. A small black fence, a single iron rod is placed so as to prevent heedless pe- strians from running 'g:‘mr;.p wlo It was an elaborate process ed with lamentations . . when at 1ast his highness lay stri in bed and _groaning faintly, “My aunt, what s patient!” Reggle grimaced to himself. T think I am eve here a brulse, Mr. Fortune,” the ince groaned. “That scoundrel Spoleto!” That won't do, Sir. I'm sure he meant nothing,” saié Reggie, with ad- mirable magnanimity. ‘“Th yacht pitched. Now about the elbow. He began handling it skillfully. peouliar “Ah! Yes. Yes, it ls certalnly the nover the less, for it pu elbow that is most painfal. But my|touch into what otherwise might knee also gives me great pain. And my | seem almost too well regulated, too head aches violentl: cold and formal. “The knee. Yes. The knee i badly| Senator Cameron of Pennsylvania bruised. There may be— Ah, well, | savea the tree from destruction and 1 can make you more comfortable for ' for that reason the tree bears his the time, sir. But it is my duty to|nam Simon Cameron was United tell you frankly I am anxious about |States senator at three different the arm. I must heve that efbow X. |riods, from 1845 to 1849, from 1857 rayed at once. 1 am afraid Mfi: 4o 1861 and from 1867 to 1877, when a fracture. A small operstion may he resigned. His son, Don jeron, Pecessary. Just & screw in, you|became Senator in his father's place. know." A o dtg::-l Rarke moo:n.eunx “A screw elbow!” the prince ator eron 6 _tree are o iy, v o e B “I suppose you don’t wish to lose|detail. The first is that in when your .,?,,‘f” Reggie sald sternly. Senator Cameron was on the house “Lose my right arm! od and grounds committee—this would Mr. Fortune! You don't mean—= °|have to :: ?1':;"0. lmcnmeflm “I mean that I must have an X-ray {"" e T e of your elbow immediately and sur. | 1N OEXUIY, ‘ave the ife of the gical resources at my disposal or 1) BISTVERT Lo Sag been through won't answer for the sonsequences |many yolumes of dusty Congressional The yacht must make for harbor at s, put can find nothing to cor- g robrate this story. “Am 1 in danger, Mr. Fortaner™ Gther, whioh seems more likely “I hope to save your arm if ¥ou|as well as more picturesque, is that ®ive me the chance. .| Henater Simon Cameron came out of ;;l::: in ya-r‘l::nu lg&hl'mm tl itol one day to n::a that prince . H you | work| rere n 'ad- could do something to stop this heu-|ing uf.'f.‘.‘fi:‘a m"nn ralgic pain in my arm 3 16 7act, Regsic had a dificult time o op Canores one el to start onf amother. Senat gating department groaned aloud (Copsrizht. 1921.) on was exceedingly wroth. On his ow: initiative he demanded that the men refrain from_ cutting the other tric until he could obtain the sentiment of Congress. He hurried back to the Senate chamber and was successful j in immediately putting through | resolution which rescued the |r' from its pending fate. On July 15, 1870, the following ap propriation was made: “Under the direction of the architect of the Cap itol extension. For comtinuing work of grading and filling the groun around the Capitol, $25,000. Provided that the first expenditure of this ap propriation shall be devoted to grad ing and putting in order the east front of the Capitol and making proy- er approaches thereto.” 1t was in /) the interest of making a “proper ap- proach” to the Capitol that the trees were being sacrificed and the date 1s probably 1870 or 1871. not 1878, as mentioned in the first story, the “Don | Cameron® story. 5 Senator Simon Cameron's life is in- teresting and typically American When he was nine years old he w left an orphan and, young as he was, began to learn the printers trade. As he grew older he gradually worked himself up in the newspaper bus ness, saving his money and Investing it shrewdly, until he became a news- owner. From journalism he went into railroading and banking with such success that he amassed a fortune. He was one of the ablest political organizers the United States has ever For years he held undisputed control of Pennsylvania politics. Per. haps the secret of Semator Cameron's success 1s to be found in the definition of an hobest politician, which has been credited to him': “One who when be is bought will stay bought.” In a picture of Senator Cameron's, bfln!i‘ul home, Lochiel, in Harris- burg. Pa., two magnificent great elm are especlally conspicuous, eviden that with Senator Cameron American elm was a particular fa- vorite. It was his own home tree. ISABEL SEWALL HUNTER