The Powers and Maxine

, Monsieur," she asked, "before you-rather rudely, I

y three minutes," replied

ill, in the three minutes, you believe that we had time to concoct a plot of some sort, and to find some safe corner-all t

are very clever

o be talked about. For that reason, and for the woman's sake, the friend chooses to take a name that isn't his-as he has a right to do. Yet, just because that woman happens unfortunately to be well-known-her face and name being public prope

ur duty makes us disagreeable to you." Then, turning to his two gendarmes, he directed them to search the room, beginning with all possible places in which a paper

r than the furniture of the room, she walked to the mantelpiece and stood leaning her elbow upon it. Weariness, disgu

lly towards him. I knew why he watched her thus, and thought of a foolish, child's game I used to play twenty years ago, at little-boy-and-girl parties: the game of "Hide-the-Handkerchief." While one searched for the treasure, those who knew where it was stood by, saying: "Now you a

he table; peeped behind the silk cushions on the sofa, opened the doors and drawers of a bric-à-brac cabinet and a small writing desk, lifted the corners of the rugs on the bare, polished floor; and finally, bowing apologies to Maxine for disturbing her, took out the logs from the fi

il it was uncertain whether to go on or stop. Once, when the gendarmes were peering under the sofa, or behind the sofa cushions, a grey shadow round Maxine's eyes made her beautiful face look like a death-mask in t

yed Frenchman gave no further instructions to his baffled subordinates, but crossing the room to the sofa stood staring at it fixedly. Then, grasping th

found what she had hidden, her heart would knock no longer, and she would die. For a second I wildly counted the chances of overpowering all three men, stunning them into unconsciousness, and giving Maxine time to escape with the lett

ce, deliberately laid the silk cushions on the floor. Then, pushing his hand down b

Both worked together, groping and prying for a few seconds: evidently the something hidden had been forced deeply and firmly down. Then, up it came-a dark red leather case, which was neither

ut I did keep it back, for suspense and

ou were clever, Mademoiselle. But it would have been as w

ouble," answered Maxine. "I never

e was no triumph in it, no joy that, so far, she was saved-as if by a miracle. Rather was her tone that of

need for gratitude. I was not lying for her sake, but s

f this room tucked some valued possession down into a safe hiding place-and then forgot all about it. That is likely, is it n

strain was over for me. I looked on with calmness, and was amazed when at last Maxine flew to hi

myself high, in my own eyes, and the eyes of the world, because I-an actress-never took a lover. But now I am like the others. This i

at if this became known, this thing that she had said, and Diana should hear? Then indeed all hope for me with the girl I loved woul

prayer, from such a woman. But duty before chivalry. I must s

"If I were rich, I would offer you thousands to spare me. I've been e

an broke in. And wrenching his hand free, he ope

flashed to the floor, where it lay on one of the s

f strength as well; and the beautiful, tall figure crumpling like a flower broken on its stalk, she would have fallen if I had not caught her, holding her up against my shoulder. When the cataract of diamonds sprang out of the case, however,

g side out. It was empty. There had been nothing insi

stfallen, he put the question half

nging head that lay against my shoulder, who-knowing a little less than I did of the truth-would have dreamed that in her soul

are not what I came here t

serve such humiliation. All pleasure I might have taken in my diamonds is gone now. I shall never have a peaceful moment-never be able to wear them joyfu

ted. "We shall never speak to anyone except those who will re

asked Maxine. "Since you see

is case was what you did not wish us to find. You are a great actress, but you could not control the dew which sprang out on your forehead, or t

o a chair, into which she sank, limply. "I am thankful you do not tell me these

u who will adorn the jewels, not they you. Again I apologis

.' But what of a man who has been scorned-by a woman? He knew I wanted all my strength for to-night-the night of the new play-and he will be hoping that this has brok

ess, murmured compliments. It was all very French, and after