Page:The council of seven.djvu/153

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  • placence of one who does not disguise that he has sized

up all things in the visible universe. Not for him the irritating reserves, the conventional glosses of "the English gentleman." Sublime faith in himself and a stupendous power of will enabled him to ride straight at every obstacle in his path. He knew that he could and would surmount it.

No answer having greeted his remark, the Colossus slowly repeated it.

"Mr. Hartz?" The tentativeness of John Endor was emphasized by a quick fall of the eyelids.

The owner of the Planet smiled affirmatively. "My first visit to Doe Hill," he said. "A beautiful Tudor house, I'm told. I suppose you know it well."

"I've been there several times." Endor's cold politeness let it be seen that he was not in a mood to talk. "Shakespeare and the musical glasses."

The Colossus, however, declined to be put off. He had things to say to this man, and he was going to say them. Between the two was an antagonism that was absolutely deadly, but so well was each versed in the rules of the game that a third person not sharing their grim secret could never have guessed it.

"Who'll be there?" said Hartz in a light tone.

Endor was unable to say.

"Our dear Helen Sholto for one, perhaps." The genial voice was full of charm.

John Endor believed not. And to hear that name on the lips of the man opposite was a little more than