brass bed. "In case Mike wants to use it," she said to me on the sly.

Having seen women of all ages and Ivy Leaguers flagrantly violate traffic regulations so Mike could give them a ticket, I agreed with her and smiled at Felix's unbelievable behavior when near him. It was impossible to believe, there at Nell's, that he and the cold, calculating murderer of the "mad monk", Rasputin, were one and the

same.

Mike, in charge of the drinks, asked Felix if he wanted coffee, a Coke, or "White Mule."

"I'll have whatever you're drinking," Felix replied, lowering his eyes.

Mike poured two slugs of the "Mule" in a tin cup for him and two for himself in another. "Here's luck for you in Philly," he said, holding his cup.

Felix, smiling, batted his eyelids. thoughtful."

"Thank you, you're so very

How many more they downed before Ann staggered up the path, I never knew. Hearing giggling behind me, I turned and saw Felix leaning against a dogwood tree. Spit dribbled over his sagging lower lip. His head nodded, his knees buckled, and he crumpled to the ground.

Mike picked him up, and half carried, half dragged him into the cabin. A few minutes later he came out and said, "He's in no condition to go back to the city. I'll bring him in my car tomorrow morning."

Nell said she needed a change, and would go with us. As for the hounds, "Nobody will bother Mike & Felix with them around. nuts about that Irishman."

They're

Mike was back on the job early the next morning. And no sooner had I opened my studio door in answer to his pounding than he handed me a handsome ring Felix had been wearing. It was a miniature replica, by Faberge, of the Russian imperial crown, set with diamonds and rubies. "I found the damned thing in my pocket this morning when I was changing my pants," he explained. "I wish you'd give it to you-know-who, when he comes for his lesson. You don't need to say anything. Just give it to him."

Liz phoned. Felix had to leave on the afternoon train for Philadelphia. He wanted Mike's home phone number. Could I get it for her to give to him? I was sorry, I couldn't. Had Mike wanted him to have it, he would have given it to him himself. However, he'd left a ring with me Felix had dropped into his pocket by mistake. How about sending her chauffeur for it? Liz did.

Felix lost the case, and returned to New York. One afternoon I saw him standing in front of a hat shop directly across the street where he could see Mike, reflected in the plate glass show window. He stared at him a long time; then with his chin up, his eyes glued straight ahead, His Highness, again his elegant, regal self, swept out of our lives.

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