Possibly it pleased the courier to have someone
to chuckle over a secret. All my oars were in.
"At the Grand Hotel de Londres," he said slyly, "there is a gentleman
who does not fool me."
I offered him another cigarette, helped him to another glass of wine.
"He is registered there as Count Techlow, but he can't fool me. He is
the Prince Galitzin."
"What's he doing; gambling a lot?" (I knew he wasn't.)
"No," replied the courier, "he's keeping pretty quiet."
"Is there a Countess Techlow?"
The courier shook his head. _Buenno!_ The coast seemed clear. I knew
it was extremely awkward and often dangerous to tempt the quarry away
from a demi-mondaine, especially at Monte Carlo. After chatting some
more I bid the courier good night. I would see the Countess the first
thing in the morning.
Along toward noon I called at the Nouvel Hotel Louvre where von Wedel
had told me I would find Countess Chechany. I sent in my own card
bearing the name of H. Van Huit, Doorn Kloof, Transvaal (the reader
will recall my experience at Doorn Kloof); also von Wedel's card with
his signature.
I had to wait for some time, but finally the Countess received me in
her boudoir. She was in bewitching negligee. From the photograph I
was prepared to find a very handsome woman, but shades of Helen! This
was Venus, Juno and Minerva--the whole Greek and any other goddesses
rolled into one! Tall and willowy, superb of figure, great dark-blue
eyes, masses of blue-black wavy hair, full red lips forming a perfect
Cupid's bow.
Pages:
83
84
85
86
87
88
89
90
91
92
93
94
95
96
97
98
99
100
101
102
103
104
105
106
107