The music-room was the centre of
a suite of rooms, containing art treas
ures, pictures, statuary, china, and
rare furniture, treasures which could
nave come under the auteloneer's
hammer, so it was whispered, had It
not been for the ex-Arrtbassador's
, sudden plunge in war industries.
! The music ceased. The hostess was
called away for a few minutes, and
the guests gathered In groups and
sauntered about. Inspecting the costly
: treasures which were so lavishly scat
; tered everywhere. Kettle, too. moved
about, rather aimlessly, now anid then
nodding pleasantly to some acquaintance.-
but always keeping his
watchful eyes on the General. He no
ticed. or thought he did, that the
. General himself though very pleased
; and polite, was dodging the other
; guests who would have flocked about
him, as!:;-ig questions that he could
j not anssror and would not if he
; could.
Then suddenly he observed that the
leader of the orchestra was making
. In the direction where the Genera!
; had edged his way through the saun
r terlng guests. Kettle straightened Hp
' and turning half way around followed
j the musician with a steady gaze from
! the corner of his eye. - He saw thf!
. orchestra leader approach timidly.
! Kettle quickly r-ianoeveured and
) placed himself at a distance near
j enough to hear such conversation as
, might pass between the musician and
the General.
