Free The Judas Kiss by Herbert Adams

than that."
    "Does it matter? Emerald asked him when should they announce their engagement? He said, 'Five thousand pounds is a useful sum; it wants thinking over.' 'There is another fifteen thousand when she dies,' Emerald told him. 'When she dies,' he repeated; 'she may outlive us both.' 'But we can get the five thousand now we are engaged; the lawyer told us so. If he is wrong, we can call it off if you want to.'
    "I don't mean I heard it all clearly, word for word like that," Adelaide added, "but that was the effect of it and they went over it again and again. What do you think of it?"
    "He does not sound very pleasant, but she is clearly in love with him. You must help her all you can."
    "But I do not like him. I do not believe he would be faithful to her," Adelaide objected.
    "She knows him well if your suspicions are correct," Ruth said. "If he will make an honest woman of her, as the old stories used to put it, it is up to her, not to you."
    "She has always been beastly to me."
    "Then let her have her money provided they marry and go away and leave you in peace."
    Adelaide, like many another, wanted advice but was not pleased when it was not the advice she wanted.
    Through the agency of Pearl, Jasper got the money for his picture. He told his sister mysteriously a client wanted to see him. He did not say who or where. Adelaide drew the cheque, although she said it was not really her debt, but George's. She would keep her promise.
    Jasper dashed off for St. Malo. He had heard from the picture dealer, M. Lanier, who had sold a previous effort and thought he might place others. He took with him several sketches and a few canvases, including his conception of Grief. He booked a room in a small hotel near the Cathedral and after a satisfying déjeuner made his way to the dealer's shop.
    The interview was fairly satisfactory. Lanier bought three of his works outright, for what sounded a lot of money until one remembered a franc was worth less than a farthing, and kept Grief and some others for further consideration. In the evening Jasper found his way to an attractive café.
    There was music inside but the more interesting seats were those on the street where one could watch the passers-by. All the tables appeared to be taken. He was about to turn away when a man by himself beckoned him and said he was welcome to sit there if he cared to do so. In his rather halting French Jasper thanked him and took the seat.
    "Monsieur is English perhaps?" the man said, in that tongue.
    Jasper admitted he was and regretted his poor French had given him away so quickly.
    "Mais non, Monsieur. Your French is excellent, but I speak some English and am lucky to be able to practise it." He shrugged in Gallic fashion as he spoke. He was middle-aged, rather stout, and smartly dressed; his dark curly hair and his short pointed beard made his skin seem pale, though his eyes were alert. A waiter came up and Jasper invited his companion to join him in a drink.
    "As a visitor you should be my guest," the man said.
    "As an artist who has actually sold a picture, the drinks are on me," Jasper returned, glad perhaps to get in his little boast.
    A shrug. "Eh bien alors, my congratulations. Another Dubonnet."
    Jasper gave the order and asked for a café and cognac for himself.
    "So Monsieur is an artist. I hope the pictures sell well."
    "Not too badly," Jasper smiled. "Perhaps you know Emile Lanier?"
    "I know of him. A fair man. Of course he has to make his profit."
    "He is welcome to it. He bought three little things and is considering others."
    "Good fortune." The drinks were brought and they raised their glasses to one another. They chatted for some time, Jasper saying he had only arrived that day and talking with him about himself. Then another man joined them, a big, rather untidy person. He had a glass of beer with him.
    "Ah, Bidaut," he said, "in your usual place with your usual drink. I trust I do not disturb you."
    He spoke in French. Jasper