The Stolen Singer

that Jim was apt to be impetuous and reluctant to await another man's convenience; at least, Jim wouldn't perceive that another man's convenience needed to be waited

as done the cravat presented a stuffed and warped appearance which was not at all satisfying, even to Aleck

lute and inviolable privacy for the individual. No wild or woolly manners ever entered those decorous precincts. No slapping on the shoulder, no hail-fellow greetings, no chance dinner companionship ever dispelled t

t would scarcely warrant unofficial interference; much less would merely mawkish or absent-minded behavior attract attention. That was

he important event of the day. He was as near being nervous as a Scotch-American Van Camp could be; and at the same time he felt an unwonted flow of life and warmth

ou abbot of this monastery yet!" said Aleck,

ank you, sir,

ally he took his cities as they came, with a matter-of-fact nonchalance. He would be as much at home on his second day in London as he had ever been in Lynn; or he would go from a friend's week-end house-party, where the habits of a Sybarite were forced

the picture disclosed here and there by the glancing lights, the chiaroscuro of the intersecting streets, the constantly changing vistas. For an unimpressionable man, he was rather wrought upon. Nevertheless, he entered the charming

thin his Scotch breast. Miss Reynier herself was pretty enough to cause quickened pulses. She was of noble height, evidently a woman of the world. She g

be seated; and here are cigarettes, if you will. No? Very well; but tell me; has that amorphous gill-slit-o

en he thoughtfully turned the chair offered him so as to command a slightly better view of the corner where she sat, l

led and his teeth gleamed in his wide smile. "If I were smart, I'd pass by your error

be neither American nor Englishwoman. "That's my principle," she insisted. "Leave other people in undisturbed possession of their hobbies, especially in conversation, and don't say anythi

ring, alluring eyes, then turned his

nd fish? Are you ready to spend hours wading in mudbanks after specimens, or sc

o very manly and wholesome, but even in his conventional evening clothes there was something about him that was unconventional-a protesting, untamed element of character that resisted all rules except those prescribed

e me up. You shed a good deal of light on my mental darkness last winter in Egypt, and maybe I can improve still more." She suddenly turned with friendly, confidential manne

s Aleck contemplated that face, with its eager yet modest and womanly gaze, and the noble outline of her figure, he thought, with an unwonted flowering of imagination, t

must be well aware-" At this point Mr. Van Camp, who, true to his nature, was looking squarely in the face of his companion, of necess

Mr. Lloyd-Jones," a

l toward himself, was not apparent. Presently he, too, was shaking hands with the visitors, who were evidently old friends of the house. Madame Reynier, the aunt of mademoiselle, was summoned, and Van Camp was marooned on a sofa with Lloyd-Jon

es turned sidewise on his end of the sofa, spread out plump, gesticulating hands, and poured upon him an eloquent torrent of fact, speculation and high-spirited enthu

ride, or tramp, or dig rock all day; and at night you lie down under the clear stars, thankful for your blanket and y

talked about it. It had probably been Mr. Lloyd-Jones' first essay in the world out of reach of his valet and a club cocktail; and he was consequently impressed with his achievement. It was evident that Miss Reynier and the amateur miner were on friendly te

he said. "I was even now suggesting that she should dig, though not for silver. Does M

oman to indicate a preference, the trick failed, as it des

don't understand how you ever get recruits for your hobbies. But come over and see

ay across the room to Madame Reynier. The cunning of old Adam, was i

she was frankness itself. With two men on Miss Reynier's hands for entertainment, it seemed to Aleck unlike

e had the fine kind of hauteur which forbids persons of this type ever to speak of money, of disease, of scandal, or of too intimate personalities;

begged to know how they were enduring the New York climate, which had formerly prove

rded with Madame Reynier's confidential chat. They had returned to their New York apartment in the midst of the summer season, she said, "for professional advice." She and her niece liked the city and

e really exiles." Aleck ventured to hope that the "profe

indisposit

etter now?" Aleck i

But youth has no such advantage." Madame fairly beamed with benevolence while explaining one of her pet idiosyncrasies. Before Aleck could make any head

g; and Aleck wondered if he never would hang himself wi

ring around the piano. By the time Mélanie had sung everybody's favorites, excluding Aleck's, Mr. Chamberlain rose to depart. He was an Englishman, a serious, heavy gentleman, very loyal to old fri

ill stay, I will. That is," he added with belat

rin he stated quite impersonally: "I was thinking of staying long enough to put one question-er, a ma

out in Idaho; sort of private shooting and hunting park, you know. And I haven't had a minute to say a word." Jones sud

demure little devil in her eye. "I haven't seen you for ages, and I don't know when the good moment will come again." She included th

wrathfully on the broad shoulders of Mr. Lloyd-Jones, who was lighting a cigarette, and he turned abru

row, Miss Reynier,

on with me at the Little Gray Fox-will you? Capital p

ould have

iss Reynier must decide." He recovered his temper enough to add, quite pleasantly, consider

nes. "Madame Reynier's always

bly. "I'm always on the side o

ou're abusing me, Mademoiselle, liste

on with anybody, to-morrow," she protested. "I've had a touch of that arch-enemy, indigestion, you

repressible Jones. "But the Little Gray Fox has a

on't want to go th

. Then, as Jones was discontentedly lounging about the door, she did a pretty thing. Turning from the door, she stood with face averted from everybody except V

ou soon," she

the corner, after they had walked t

, I'm going back next week in my private car to watch the opening of the

ly; but I'm goi

e club his good nature came to his aid. He wonder