War-time Silhouettes

nds as "Bobby," found himself in a situation whic

of things which from one moment to another swept away the groundwork upon which his life reposed, it is no wonder that he felt himself "knocked out." With incredible velocity his friends were caught up and whirled in every direction like cockle-shel

and the theatre-followed one another in a headlong race to the unknown. His brain reeled under successive shocks. He was awestruck by the appalling suddenness of death and destruction

y forget those first

the past behind him and begin afresh; for Bobby to have done so would have needed a strength of will and character which he never at any time in his life possessed. He did succeed in getting various jobs, but one after another he threw them up. In each case

again, for although he felt if possible even more there than in London the changes brought about by the War, the old

imes as these was sent to meet him, when a lady approached and asked him if he would mind taking her to her destination, as there was neither cab nor car to be found at the station. Bobby's experienced eye took in the stranger at a glance; she was unquestionably attractive, and with something of the old spirit he pl

by's chance meeting ripened

not to speak of their wives, sisters, and other female attachments. Some of these Bobby knew, others he met, and not a few of them were well enough pleased to accept his society, if only to profit by his ciceronage as evening advanced. But on this occasion Bobby

ed. But she never seemed to do more than bow to them, and though it was evident that her appearance aroused flattering notice, she discouraged attentions and was smilingly evasive when approached. Nevertheless, she was full of engagements. One day she would have an appointment at eleven in the morning near the Arc de Triomphe, in the afternoon

She was no longer quite young; she might have been thirty; indeed, her hair, which was dark brown, was ever so slightly touched with silver, but this seemed to add to her attractiveness, which resided perhaps more in her complete naturalness t

t the things that interested him most and to go anywhere he liked,

etly checking any attempt on his part to make tender advances. He could not himself have explained how it was done, but she contrived to make him feel that any suggestion of familiarity would put an end to their intercourse, and for nothing in the world would he have risked it. Indeed, in his loose-endedness, he looked upon the whole adventure as a special dispe

well, with a slight foreign accent, which she explained by saying that she was Russian by birth, but had married a French diplomatist, who died in Brazil; she said, too, that she had travelled a great deal, and had spent much of her time in South

ith which she regarded tumultuous events, the easy cynicism with which she dismissed a discussion which bor

he theatre, but she opposed it with a velvety firmness. "We are so well like this,

was fully determined to stop on as long as Madame de Corantin accepted his companionship.

marked by a hauteur which even Bobby, good-natured as he was, could not fail to notice. At that moment Madame de Corantin stepped out of the lift, and with a "See you later," to which the other responded by a curt nod, Bobby went to m

ularly received for the appropriateness of his menu. But on this occasion Madame de Corantin seemed to be oblivious of menu and of Bobby alike. She sat apparently lost in thought, a

very ill-mannered. I have received an an

ern. "Is there anythin

ith a half-smile. "

to be of use to you, and ther

hing they asked of him. But he had never been put to the test; on the contrary, she had accepted with demur even the comparatively trifling services he had been able to render her. She was most punctilious in regard to an

upon him as she spoke-"who was that gentle

rance on half-commission with a firm of stockbrokers. Even then he aspired to smart society, but this social recognition involved an expenditure considerably beyond his earning capacity. In those days Bobby had been of no small use to him. Many were the dinners to which Ramsey had done the inviting, he the paying, and if tha

y or may not have realized that his former friend's gratitude was of the same quality as his honour, but in any case he showed no resentment. He was sufficiently accustomed to the ways of the successful to take them as they were, and to pass over those characteristics to which, after all, they partly owe their success. Indeed, had it been a question of introducing any one but Madame de Corantin to Ramsey,

ore answering you I ask yo

not now." She glanced round her significantly as she spoke. "The little stor

iscreet, but flattered all the same by the promise of her confid

ate friend of y

intimate, but I used

s position

you mean his position now

ot

hange. He is supposed to come of a good family, and he went about a great deal. One of those s

obby thought about Ramsey the less he liked the p

dered so," she replied evasi

ber of that firm through being-ahem-a great friend of the wife of the chief part

h hands and leaning her elbows on the table. Her eyes were looking cl

alks about Alistair Ramsey one can't help it. Through Mrs. Lockyard, he got introduced to Sir Archibald Fellowes. It wasn't very difficult, you know; Ramsey gives little parties in his flat in Mount Street-

ely. "Did you say Lord Coleton?" she aske

bby. "Why, do

ed, "but continue your sto

let me see. Have you ev

udden question. "Oh yes, the chant

llés, and Ramsey introduced old Fellowes to her. Soon

ntin's closed lips almost like a sigh. "And Sir A

say he runs the w

d of it rippled away joyously. It wa

more I can

t know this wonderful Mr. Ramsey. You will introduce him to m

how him to his table. His eyes were fixed upon Madame de Corantin's face. The look of astonishment Bobby had noticed before had given place to one of mingled surprise and curiosity. He had exchanged his u

ut not expressed in words, Bobby rose

join you after dinner?" Alist

tively, and Bobby ground his teet

ng to a theatre. After the first two or three days of their acquaintance she had invited Bobby to join her there, and he had been immensely flattered. He looked forward to that moment

o bring coffee upstairs?

ave word for Mr. Ramsey to join us when he has finished his din

self?" He tried to conceal his ch

ct he'll find his way without that," she answered,

ry discreet; I have noticed it from the beginning. Had it not been for that I could n

h'; couldn't you manage to say 'Bobby'

o your discretion by telling you my little story. I was once travelling on a ship going to America-at that time I was

claimed

on the scene just when I wan

. Of course, of course; than

else arrived once long ago, and I was grate

something to say, but Mad

daresay some people would have misunderstood the position. My companion on that voyage was well known.

not very flattering to Bobby, but he

our friend, Mr. Ramsey. He knew the

That's one of Ramsey's special gifts," Bobby remarked with as

ous. Anyhow, towards the end of the voyage I received a note. It was handed to me by a stewardess. It was from Mr. Ramsey, and I handed it to the Prince. I do not exactly k

y words the new-comer settled himself in a chair, and at the invitation of Madame de Corantin lit a cigarette. Nothing in his attitude or in hers s

lking together as people do who, though they have not met before, have known of each other for years. Ramsey brought in the names of common a

of ladies was that of a man accustome

most men regarded him, but with Madame de Corantin his manner was deferential,

ance which comes from social success, and he took no trouble to conceal the indifference, if not contempt, with which he regarded the other ma

ere was always malice behind his frivolity. In appearance he was elegant without being engaging, and one felt the spitefulness of the dark eyes beneath the abundant hair, and the hardness of his mo

atured face wore an expression of perplexity and discomfort. Bobby was suffering the pangs of jealousy, and at every fresh sally of the other he was watching Madame de Corantin's face to see its effect.

her; she seemed to be able to indicate a desire without expressing it, and he rose now from his seat and wished her good-night. Ramsey did not move, and Bobby's heart sank wi

party must break up, but I have many letters to write this

he room, closely followed by Ramsey;

our; it's quite early. Will you join me? T

ding in the ha

letters to write," Ramsey replied, and turning

hat she wanted to see him, and yet she had shown equally plainly that she didn't want him to remain with her alone. He wondered how long Ramsey would be staying in Paris, and what effect his presence would have on his intercourse with Madame de Corantin. Would he be able to see as much of her or would she drop him in favour of Ramsey. The thought tortured him, but it wormed its way more

ed on up the Boulevard de la Madeleine, and with every step his jealousy increased. The suspicion rankled; he felt certain that Ramsey would somehow or other manage to see her again before he could-why

e past eleven, too early to go to bed, too late in a darkened and subdued Paris to do anything el

ince he had gone upstairs half an hou

h he were doing so by mistake, directed his steps softly past the door of her salon. No one was in the corridor, and noiselessly he approached the door. Was that a man's voice? Yes, there was not a doubt of it. He listened again, he looked up and down the passage, no one was in sight. He placed his head close to the woodwork

the nigh

ally went out, he rang the bell. How he longed for his trusted valet, enlisted two months back. Now he had only a hotel servant to send on messages. When the man arrived he dispatched him instantly to find out whether Madame de Corantin had sent him any message, and began to dress hurriedly. The ser

tin left an hour

hat do y

-left with her luggage a

tate of complete dejection. He sought an out-of-the-way corne

repeated the words mechanic

ooked up, a servant handed him a n

BBY, MY

s unavoidable. I asked for you before I left, but they told me at the hotel that you had not yet left your room. I scribble this line at the station. Forgive me, my dea

E DE CO

ve no

t she tell him, and oh, how could he have been such a fool as to have gone on sleeping like a stupid log at the moment that she was going away? He would never be able to forgiv

she had not ordered it at the hotel. What trains were there leaving? Oh, there were numbers; there was one to Rouen and Havre and also to Dieppe about that time, to Bordeaux and San Sebastian, to all kinds of places. Bobby realized the utter hopelessness of attempting to trace her. Wretchedly the hours p

was objectless and workless. More profoundly than ever he realized all that Madame de Corantin had meant to him. Her disappearance had made his life a blank. Had there been some glimmer of hope, however sligh

pse of her, as a gambler clings to a faint prospect of redeeming his fortunes through some wonderful and unexpected

. To this one war had brought opportunity. His name was Bertram Trent. He had lived all sorts of lives, had been married and di

ssion, provided he could get it confirmed at the War Office. This saved Bobby. He lost no time in putting in his application, and, awaiting the Gazette, he occupied himself in ordering his kit and in getting himself into som

his surprise, was wearing the Staff cap. Clancey told him that he had been wo

ch together," s

matic appointment. He had drifted across Bobby's life afterwards in a shadowy way, seeming to have nothing special to do, but to know a great many people and to take life as a sort of a joke. He talked lightly and cynically about serious things, and used foreign expressions with

at the War Offi

it to you," answered the other, "but it seems chiefly to consis

emarked Bobby. "Can you do a

silly thing to do

expl

Clancey, "but as they simply loathe me at Headq

companion something about them. But he did not mention Ramsey. The implied admission that he had been cut out

ve fascinated yo

ascinate

now what has become of

n't

you cannot trac

than the man in the

y refl

she was Frenc

as; she hersel

looked

, Corantin. Let me see. I seem

bby's voice betr

watch. "I think it is time I got back to the War Office.

g him a card. "Do look me up. I do want th

ooms in Down Street. He was wondering whether perhaps luck had come his way, and whether Clance

o to bed before the small hours, and not knowing how else to kill time he dropped in at the Savoy restaurant. It was late when he got there, and he str

ason that he could pos

into the restaurant. I

ve sworn that Madame de

ought it must be heard a

ly, with a strange sort

nd

nd then she looked up and recognized him. Was she really beckoning to him? The reaction was so great that he dared not believe the evidence of his senses. No, there

iend, I am so ple

y. He was alone with her; Ramsey did not exist; the restaurant did not exist. The hum of voices, the clatter o

own, B

rned. He could speak, but he said nothing of what he felt. Instinctively

ty for insolent indifference did not enable him to

ther late. We don't want to be swept out with t

to see Mr. Froelich again. I was obliged to leave Paris so suddenly, and neve

, but he glared at

f keeping Bobby beside her, and in her inimitable way she asked Ramsey to fetc

e almost gasped. "Tell me t

uld like to so much, but I have not a moment. Come

with the cloak,

he afternoon wore away. He bought some magnificent roses and returned to his flat to dress, determined t

t when, to his surprise

ng I wanted to te

ited imp

about, Madame de Corantin. I

get away. What Clancey had to

h, Clancey. The fact

ant manner change

!" he e

tell you the truth, I am taking these flowers there now. I am to lunch with her to-morrow.

became c

nch with her to-morrow! I say, Froelich, you might i

face got

lady I know, but in this particular case it is not quite the same. You see, the fact is-the last

u mean?" as

amsey to her in Paris, with the result that

ression overspread his face. "Alistair Ramsey," he m

wonderingly. Clanc

Alistair Ramsey is private secretary to Sir Archibald Fellowes. Old Fellowes decides upon all commissions,

y st

d. "Well, I'm damned! That a

Clancey. "So you introduced

I wanted to,"

been with him

on't kno

th him last nig

off now. Clancey, really,

ise I won't cut you out-I only want to make her

huge parcel which contained his flowers, he led the way out of the

have been surprised. Clancey was running down the street

t of his taxi, he presented himself to the hall-porte

de Coranti

e knew him well and accepte

e Corantin, y

said

left early this afte

t Bobby was

gasped. "Ar

ectly cer

k again, isn't she? Why, I'm

ooked at him

go and inquire, though to the best of my

t the man

uggage left about two o'clock. There were

ed himself

suppose?" He tried to put

ink it was Mr.

damn him, damn him, damn him!" he mu

Down

. She had greeted him so kindly; she had shown such evident pleasure at seeing him again. Why should she have acted that part? There was no object in it. Something must have happened, something quite outside the range of ordinary events. As he had done a hundred times, Bobby returned on the past and tried to piece together consecutively all the incidents since his first meeting with Madame de Corantin. Gradually an impression formed itself in his mind that what at first had seemed an attractive mystery was something deeper

as ringing the bell at the entrance. Bobby went to th

roelich?" one

Bobby. "Why? W

e to speak to

Bobby eyed the

d, Mr. Froelich. We'd b

led them into his sitting

d the spokesman of the two. "I have bee

on earth have I done? Th

was ho

ou to come with me. My colleague, Sub-inspector Dane, is to remain her

ched his latchkey and a few others. He held them in his hand, and ticked them off one by one mechanically. "This is the key of the

eceptacle where you keep your papers,

bby. "No, I haven't got any docum

to search your apartment, Mr. Froelich, and I want to save

at kind, and as to my dispatch-box, there's not much there either. I hardly know what th

letters?" aske

his sounde

shall I call them?-love letters, I suppose. Anyhow, here are

inspector spoke

pprehensively, "am I g

nnocence seemed to strike him. He was not t

s more than like

ou see, I've got on evening dress, and I suppo

or reflecte

you should not change, but I'm afraid I

think I'm going t

hings happen on these occasions, and it's my duty to

ing-room, and in a few minutes he was rolling off wi

d Yard. He was ushered into a waiting-room, and there he sat with the inspector, waiting until he should be summoned before the A

rusive manner covers a strong character and a great efficiency, was sitting

," said the Assistant Commissioner,

smiled s

e Hague-quite a comfortable place and qui

at our man w

Your man had got back, and reported that she'd gone. They'd kicked up the devil's delight at Headquarters, and the chief was out for blood. He was determined to arrest somebody, and I suggested Ramsey, but he got purple in the face and told me he'd instructed your people to bag Froelich. I thought t

Captain Clancey, is that it's usel

, but I know all about him, and I am satisfied of his complete innocence, an

opose that we should

othing at al

er getting tho

isted his

ncerns spheres altogether

ny years, he had implicitly trusted him. He was here only a few minutes before you came, and he told me that there was no doubt at all but that he had been the victim of a conspiracy between Froelich

do you think

missioner was sil

't know Mr. Fro

w Mr. Ramsey,"

t w

You know him well eno

was to throw a note across the table

OF

MR. C

matter of the passports accorded to Madame de Corantin. There has been a disgraceful d

very

ALD FE

ey wh

er awkward for M

the door. It was In

building where Mr. Froelich occupies a flat." He handed a letter to the Assistant Commissioner, who read

remarked, "and with your kind

ithdrew by the private exit opposite to the one which led

oombridge, and, by the way, I hope

or cleared

a gentleman comfortable, but I gave him a shake-down in my own private room

spector; show

dered than apprehensive. The Assistant Commissioner hel

ou will, I am sure, understand that in times like these one has t

" Bobby, exclaimed.

er influential connections, she has succeeded in obtaining information of considerable value, and has also been enabled to elude both the French authorities and ourselves. We have reason to believe that she has secured travelling facilities and passports through her relations with high Government officials, both French and English, whom she knew before

Assistant Commissioner proceeded. When Mr. Crane mentio

asked excitedly

ioner, handing him the note that C

it eagerl

BBY, MY

s object was very far from being a desire for Mr. Ramsey's acquaintance as you supposed, for I am still, and always shall be, devoted to that former friend of whom I told you. His name, I may now tell you, is Princ

by a person whom I can trust. By the

it will give me great pleasure to see you and introduce

know which I despise most-

ery goo

iev

rely and gra

E DE CO

d up and met the eyes of the Assistan

for any trouble I may have given you. I must ask you to be kind enough to

oveted. The same Gazette contained two announcements: one that a commission as lieutenant had been granted