The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1895-09-15

| rette away or change the easy position in
/ which he had placed himself, l said.
IN wish you good morning, sir"
"Oh. we shall meet again." he answer
ed. fauntily, and Wen renew the discus
I sion, perhaps.
| Following the footman, 7 was ushered
| into large and spacious chamber. with a
gilded ceiling and draped walls that were
adogned with some magnificent etchings.
Seated at "A large desk that was strewn
with papers, was a tall patriarchal look
| ing man, with iron grey hair, and a sill
verify moustache. Ii was the count, and
rising with easy grace, he greeted me
affably, and then requested that / would
be seated, at the same time apOlogizing
for having kept me waiting.
Il have sent for you, Mr.. Donovan" ne
began, in the hope that you may prove
Of service in recovering for me some high
ly important documents that have mystic
riousiy disappeared. I may at once tell
you that the stolen papers are a secret
draft treaty between this country and my
own country. and from a political point OF
view are Of great value"
troubled expression swept across the
counts mobile and finely cut features as
he said this. and he twisted his white
hands one about the other as if the action
Was due ITO to some keen mental
been transmitted to Austria by
a special courier two days hence But
though saw them myself safely locked up
last night, they have disappeared during
the night time. of course, a new copy Of
the draft can be prepared, but that Is not
the point. The papers have been purloined
with very sinister motive"
You are quite sure. ! presume, that
they have really been stolen?" / asked
"Oh, dear, yes" exclaimed the count
with an emphasized expression of trouble
and concern on his face. There cannot be
a doubt about that"
And what object do you think the
thief had in view?"
But one object. The treaty is framed
against Russia, and someone in the pay
Of Russia has carried il off
i grasp the seriousness of the matter
now / answered, for though as you
saw new treaty can be drafted the loss
of the original one shows that there is a
traitor in your camp, and that which it
was important to keep secret from the
powerful state of Russia will now become
known"
Yes interrupted the count wringing
his hands again, land II may be the means
of causing very serious complications be-
tween Austria and her neighbor, even if
II docs not lead ultimately TO war"
GU say the papers were stolen last
night, count?"
" es. They were distracted from my
dlspatch box between the hours of mid
w here was the dispatch box kept"
In my own bedroom"
Who took it there?'
ala myself. / carried ii up with nv
own hand, when l retired for the night"
And are you quite sure, count that the
papers were in the box when you took it
to your bedroom2"
Absolutely certain. I had occasion to
open the box a few minutes before retir-
ing and in doing so / glanced over the
documents. | then locked the box and
paced the Key, which was one of a bunch
in a secret drawer in my escretoire.'
How was the box opened?"
BY means of a duplicate key; but II ev-
identity did not fit well, and the lock was
partially damaged. In fact to some ex-
tent the lid has been forced"
DO you suspect anybody"
NO. don't know VINO to suspect"
Bet the robbery must have been COM
hold"
Possibly probably 1 should say"
last night?"
Il think dozen at least exclusive of
the servants"
III should think dozen at least, ex-
elusive of the servants"
1 suppose, count, that among the en-
tourage in contact with an ambassador
spies and traitors may sometimes be
found?'
Il am sorry to say that it is so. though
less frequently than an outsider might
imagine. But, of course, we take all
necessary precautions. Yet in spite of ali
our efforts state secrets will sometimes
leak OUT
And state papers of great Importance
be stolen" l added
Yes, yes" he replied, with the troubled
look again in his face.
In this instance 1 am very much afraid
a traitor has crept into the camp. AL
though L doubt if the papers can be re-
covered and if they are the secret they
contain will be known, / deem il hight
necessary that the traitor should be de-
tected, and l rely upon you bringing him
to light"
Il will do my best. count. though 1t is
probable ] may fail. Now / presume that
it goes without saying that the person
who has carried off these state papers
must be directly or indirectly Interested
IN Russia, or else someone in your house.
hold has been corrupted by Russian
agents?"
mo doubt that is so. And it is ques-
ton now, Mr.. Donovan, what steps you
propose TO take"
1T will be necessary. of course. for me
to have a list of all the people who were
in the house last night and I must make
the personal acquaintance of those peo-
ple.''
But that is almost out of the cues
tion." exclaimed the count, in alarm. IF
1 were to introduce you to them their dig
nifty would be wounded and their pride
offended. for they would think that they
were all lying under suspicion"
(which as a matter of fact they are
1 remarked
Well no, l wouldn't go quite that
length" answered the count. a little
haughtily. There is my own SON. for in
stance. ] couldn't suspect him. And in
innate and dear friends of mine-I couldn't
suspect them"
Have you made it known TO all vour
suite that these documents have been
stolen?"
mo. With the exception of my son. nv
confidential secretary. and my business
secretary nobody in the house knows any,
thing al all about it,"
so far as you are aware count"
so far as l am aware" he answered.
We'll, count. in spite of what you have
said, repeat that it will be necessary for
me to make the acquaintance Of every
person in your suite, as well as every
member of your household. But you need
not let this disturb your mind. l shall
know them without their knowing me. /
must be your guest for a day or two. and
you may rest assured that l shall NOT he