The Gay Adventure

e the ordinary morning dress of a man about town, neat, though a little shiny, and on his head was a top hat. At Robert's command he turned with a violent start: the lady started, too, but in a mo

eption, paused a moment before replying. He was breathing a little noisily from pu

he first place I warn you tha

ng to do. But we have no intention of being so foolish. It seems that

gaping. "You will find that a

s no need for even a jailer to catch cold." He threw it lightly across to Robert, who caught it with a blush. He wished foolishly he had put on a collar. Then the m

ain, "what are you going to

liantly left his bed, seized his weapon and prepared to capture a burglar or two, he had in mind m

ologetically. "I am exceedingl

) with a frank camaraderie. "It must be a painful position for you as well as for

htened; he gr

ot in love with the notion of giving you in charge. Besides ..." he hesitated as if ashamed, but dec

erved Lionel; and Beatrice adde

ied. "I don't want that. Tell

d I had meant to keep silence; but your generous offer co

be interesting." He stopped, aghast at his own depravity. Then he laughed

lf on the sofa, prepared not only to hear but criticize. As for Mr. Hedderwick, he was so eager that he laid down the revolver on th

Not only Mr. Hedderwick but Lionel, too, listened with rapt attention. The tale lived, as told by her, bearing the stamp of truth and humor in every syllable her lips uttered. And Lionel, keeping guard over himself with a loving suspicion, noticed that in no particulars did she dep

in a dozen words; a line there, and she had swept them to Constantinople: a paragraph depicted Lukos with a master hand-a few vivid sentences described the flight. Then came the stage, her meeting with Lionel (five pages to the rescue, the taxi deleted altogether, and three

ife! Compared with this ..."-his eyes wandered discontentedly round the room, and he

re. One evening as I walked this way I saw a machine in front of your door. It was a vacuum cleaner! That decid

gasped Rober

the evening I hired a cab, drove to Kensington to put any possible trackers off the scent, changed into another cab and drove back here. At seven-thirty I called. You were out, and your wife said you woul

, and my well-meant hints were disregarded. I was in despair; but presently the cook burst in with a woeful tale of a scorched petticoat, an

ad left the room. I did not prolong my visit. On the plea that I could not wait further, and promising

ling wrench prized up a yard or two. With trembling fingers he tore it back still farther, and then his face fell. He

contemplation of Beatrice. By the time she had finished he was a devout adherent, and now the shock of disillusion swung him back once more to the certainty

e thickening of the plot. Of course they have been t

"It's possible, I suppose ... anyhow, it's

dain. "I had no idea men could be so stupid. I suppose ther

ay. "Wake Mrs. Hedderwick!" he repeated in a ghastly voice: "wa

led here, and in justice to my veracity you must a

k rose, pale

once? I have not the least intention of prosecuting, and I swe

led, amused

mation as to where those papers may have gone. If your wife could t

t! You must find out elsewhere. I can not have my wife r

n a trice. He saw his wife, in the majesty of a dressing-gown, a poker in her righ

ht had dawned upon her. She began to speak again in a voice that was almost cheerful. "I see!" she said: "it is a new idea, Robert. I suppose these are some of your friends, and this is a kind of breakfast party. I am very sorry that you did not give me earlier warning, or I would have had the dining-r

ble Robert, "I do wish you'd be

eakfast-party, pray what is it? A man of your age would not indulge in suppers"-she gave the word an emphasis that insinuated Cremorne-"so what can I

eatrice was wiser

ck," she said coolly, "but they will be abated when you learn

s wife, where an appeal to pity or kindred emotions would hav

court your evidence will be of value." Mrs. Hedderwick smoothed her dressing-gown and determined to app

sentment and a thirst for knowledge. "A lady, or at

d Mr. Hedderwick. "

it, as she wished to beg a subscription for an anti-suffragist league. I am in sympathy with such an object and allowed her to remain. In the course of our conversation she referred

her alone!" b

there. We discussed the blouse for a while, and prese

ith a smile. "Did you happen

"Dress is not one of my foibles. But after she had gone I picked

uddenly. "What is her name?"

ert?" queri

irritation lending him

i Sch

initials,

.

advanced toward Beatrice, raised her hand, and, to the horror of his wife, kissed it solemnly. "I beg your pardon,"

im at his w

so much for your help-and yours, too, Mrs. Hedderwick. So sorr

most awfully. I felt you were a

me, and the magnanimous churchwa

t interesting night. I wish you'd let

to Lionel to pass out before her, and then turned. "If you see us again, be caref

an adventure ... what a splendid woman ... what a jolly chap!" his thoughts ran. "How different their life from mine! Here am I, tied to the same holiday year after year ...

m the drawing-room, and he leaped. "Co

with a swift but silent movement he slipped on a greatcoat and hat and stealthily opened the door again. He peered out.... Yes, there was hope and an object, for he could see, some hundred and fift