The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1898-05-27
CHAPTER XIV.

CHAPTER XIV.
srRICTLY CONFIDENTIAL.
The early morning was dry, frosty,
but starless. The clock Of that fash
ionable temple of Hymen, st. Georges,
Hanover Square, was slowly Ginning
8 as l alighted from cab at the corner
of Mount street. and, walking along
Berkeley Square, assembled the steps Of
the Earl Of Warnhams great mansion.
Walking across the great square hall
warmed by huge roaring fire, passed
down the passage to the Earl's study
and raped at the door, receiving an
impatient permission to enter.
Il should not have ventured to come
at this hour, l said, were it not that
the news l bring is of extreme import
ance."
What is it's nature?" he asked cold
ly, leaning back in his chair.
II have recovered the original OF cur
secret convention with Germany" I
answered, in as quiet tone as l could
assume.
you have!" he cried excltedly, start
ing up. you are quite right to seek
me at once-quite right"
A few seconds sufficed to reassure
him that the document was the genuine
one.
1T is fortunate that this has re-
turned into our possession" he observ-
ed, his thin blue lips quivering slightly.
II feared that it had already passed
beyond our reach, and that one day or
other in the near future our policy
must be narrowed by the knowledge
that 1t was preserved in the archives
Of the Foreign ONCE at Petersburg,
and could be used as pretence for a
declaration OF war by Russia and
France. Now, however. that the orig
inal Is again in our possession, we can
disclaim all copies, and give assurance
that no secret understanding exists be-
tween US and Berlin.
II found It In my own house." I an
swered.
Then you mean to tell me that It
has been In your possession the whole
time. The thing is impossible" he
cried, angrily. Remember the dummy
palmed of upon me, and the fact that
an exact copy was transmitted to Pc
tersburg."
"No. 1t has not been in my possess
sion," answered, leaning against my
writing chair for support. Il found
1t among my wife's possessions
Your wife!" he gasped, agitated. He
had turned CHASTITY pale at the mention
OF her name, and trembling with agita-
ton swayed forward.
A moment later, however, he recov-
cred his self-possession, clutched at the
corner of his table, and regarding me
sharply, asked What do you sus-
pect?"
Il scarce know what to suspect"
answered gravely, striving to remain
calm, but remembering at that instant
the curious effect produced upon the
Foreign Minister when he had first
seen Ella dancing at the Embassy Ball.
My declaration that l had found this
official bond OF nations in her possess
sion had produced similar disquiet-
Ing result, which puzzled me.
But surely she can have had no
hand in the affair."" he cried. She
certainly did not strike me as an ad-
ventures, or an agent Of the Cars
secret service"
1T is problem that l cannot solve,
l exclaimed, slowly watching the
strange haggard look upon his usually
imperturbable features. After leav-
Ing you this evening / went home only
to find letter of farewell from her,
and
"She has fed, them" he exclaimed
with quick suspicion.
Eyes. Her flight was evidently pre-
arranged, and curiously enough her
mother, who lives In Pont street, has
discharged her servants, disposed OF
a good deal of her property, and also
departed"
Gone together, no doubt" the Earl
observed, frowning reflectively.
But is it not very strange that she
should have left the stolen convention
behind? Surely If my wife were actu-
ally Russian agent she would never
have been guilty OF such indiscretion,
l said.
"The mystery is inexplicable
Deedes," he declared, with a heavy
look, half OF pain, half of bewilder-
ment. Absolutely inexplicable.
You have, l believe, after all, been
cruelty wronged, Deedes," he added in
low, harsh tone Il sympathize with
you because myself once felt the loss
Of wife deeply, and know what feel
ings must be yours now that you sus-
pect the woman you have trusted and
loved to have been guilty OF base
treachery and espionage She, or some
one in association with her, has be.
smirched England's honor, and brought
us to the very verge OF terrible ma
tional disaster. Providentially, this
was averted; by what means we have
not yet ascertained, although our dip.
lomatic agents at the Court of the Czal
are striving day and night to ascertain;
yet the fact remains that we were vic
timized by some daring secret agent
who sacrificed everything in order to
accomplish the master stroke Of espi.
onage. / can but re-echo the thanks
to Heaven uttered by my gracious SOW
ereign when she received news that
war had been averted, nevertheless il
Is my duty-nay it is yours. Decides, te
strive on without resting. in order thai
this mystery may be satisfactorily un.
ravelled."
For a moment we were silent. Their
in voice that l felt painfully con.
scious was broken by grief and emo.
ton, related to him the whole of the
wretched story of my marriage. m,