The Summons

o Es

anton Street, London. It was Hillyard's second play. His first, produced in April of the same year, had just managed to limp into July; and that sma

while the applause which greeted the fall of the curtain was still rattling about the walls of the theatre, Sir Charles Har

idden behind a side curtain. Hardiman let himself

ear in every word, too, that you know where you are going. Tha

turned wi

to the water ju

nce which suddenly enclosed this or that scene from the rest of the play; and finally, with a certain surprise, and a certain amusement he fixed his attention up

alking up and down the pavement outside in the classical state of agitation.

rpretation-there, bringing into importance one scene, slipping over the next which we thought more important-altering it, in fact. Of course," and he returned to his earlier metaphor, "I know the big fences over which we may come a

the coolest hand at it I ever saw." But he co

in a strength of which he himself was unaware. It lifted now the veils behind which a man w

s does come. Playwriting is my profession, and failures are a necessary part of it-just as much a part as the successes. But even if the great success were to come now, it wouldn't mean quite so much t

confusion. His play was nearer at his heart than he had thought; the

iedly, "who all these p

e curtain and the side wall of the bo

man from Cook's," s

rth; but one-he had lectured Harry Luttrell upon it on a night at Stockholm-continually gained strength in him. Youth must beget visions and man must preserve them if great work were to be done; and so easily the visions lost their

t a little too like a country gentleman to be one? That is Sir Chichester Splay. He made a fortune in a murky town of Lancashire, and, thirsting for colour, came up to London determined to back a musical comedy. That is the way the craving for co

hichester Splay and smiled at

and if your play is a success-not other

ut Sir Charles was rele

ve in a public place, is Mario Escobar. He is a Spaniard, and has the skin-deep politeness of his race. He is engaged in some sort of business, frequents some sort of society into which he is invited

ly exchanged a glance, though he himself was out of sight behind the curtain, so direct was Escobar's gaze. It was, however, merely the emptiness of the box which had drawn the Spaniard's atten

ur leading lady. Now look down! There is a young girl flitting about the stalls. She is an actress, not very successful. But to-night she is as busy as a bee. She is crabbing your play. Yesterday her opinion on the subject was of no value, and

emon-and it had happened that he had pointed out one who was to be the instrument

nterrupted

th row, who seems to have stepped down

. You will meet her to-night at my supper party." He hesitated as to what further he shou

ompanion's voice, and looked quickly towards him. Hardim

esponsibility for her unhappiness. B

ever, you may read in the files of the various newspapers, if you will. This story is concerned with Martin Hillyard, not his work. It is sufficient t

play," said Sir Chichester with just the necessary patronage to tickle Hil

t has earned your goo

passed by the arm. "Stella, Mr. Hillyard should know you. This i

manager of the Daily Harpoon, who was a

said Stella Croyle, as

you know Sir Ch

a long time." Her eyes twinkled. "I wond

ard. They both laughed. "I hardly know a sou

g lady on one side of him and Stella Croyle opposite, and Mario Escobar a coup

een you before, somewhe

is pos

Sp

nswered

e, a certain reticence in Hillyard's,

as in the Opera House at Barcelona on

eplied

e palm-trees in front of the

ard n

the south coast of Spain for three years. Ei

neighbour, but

for your

d not answe

lways been my tr

t towards St

s had a curious life, Stel

d with a shrewd look

e would say Escobar was suspicious lest M

arles

ee!" he said in a low voice, and leaning across the

the palm trees, in front of the

startled him. He reflected, and as the rec

he

eyes were fixed warily on Hillyard. He answered the question warily too, fragment by fragment, r

r the palms in front of the Casino on summer nights. I--" and he took the last words at a rush-"I was sitting in a lounge c

in him by Escobar's description. Escobar turned away

u have taken your water-jump too. And you're un

of tension, the talk swept