The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1898-04-22

clal envelope. In an instant recog-
nized It as the one containing the
treaty.
This remains exactly as l took 1t
from the safe with my own hands and
cut 1t open"
With trembling fingers drew the
document from its envelope and OPEN
ed 1t.
The paper was blank!
glanced at him in AFFECT dismay,
unable to utter word.
THAT is what you handed me on
my return from the Cabinet Council"
he said. with knit brows. Now.
what explanation have you to offer?"
What can l oi1er?" l cried. The
envelope gave you was the same
that you handed to me. | could swear
to it,
mo, It was not" he replied quickly.
Glance at the SEAL"
Taking It to the light, examined
the seal carefully. but failed to de-
tect anything unusual. 1t bore in
black wax the Warnham coat OF arms
impressed by the large, beautifully
cui amethyst that the Earl wore at
tathed to the piece of rusty silk rib
bon that served him as a watch
chain.
II can see nothing wrong with this"
said. glancing up at him.
II admit that the imitation Is so
carefully executed that it is calculat-
ed to deceive any eye except my own"
Then, putting on his pincenez, he made
an impression in wax with his own
seal and pointed out slight flaw
which, in the impression upon the on
velope, did not exist.
"And your endorsement? Is it not
in your own hand!' he inquired.
/ turned over the envelope and
looked. 1t bore the designation, "B,
27.SS3," Just as l had written it, and
the writing was either my own or
such marvellously accurate imita-
ton that was compelled to confess
my inability to point out any discrep-
ancy.
"Then the writing is yours, eh?" the
Earl asked abruptly. IF it is, you
must be aware who forged the SEAL"
THE writing certainly contains all
the characteristics Of mine, but l am
not absolutely sure it is not a forgery
In any case l am confident that the
document you gave me l handed back
to you" Then l explained carefully
and in detail, the events which occur
red from the time he gave the treaty
into my possession, up to, the moment
handed it back to him.
But how can you account for Civ.
ing back to me blank sheet of pa.
per in an envelope secured by forged
seal?" he asked, regarding me with
undisguised suspicion. You do MOI
admit even taking it from your pocket
neither have you any suspicion of the
friend with whom you lunched.
should like to hear his independent
version"
THAT Is impossible" answered.
"Why?" he asked, pricking up hil
ears and seeming mystery.
Because he is dead"
At that moment our conversation
was interrupted by the sharp ringing
OF the bell OF the telegraph instru
ment near us, and an instant later tn,
telegraphist in charge entered ant
seated himself at the table.
Click-click, click, click, click be
gaa the needle. and next moment tn
clerk, turning to the Earl, exclaimed
AN important message from 81
Petersburg, your iordship."
Read It as 1t comes through" tn
Earl replied, brsathlessly, walking to
ward the instrument and bendin
eagerly over 1t.
Then, as the rapid metallic clio
again broke the silence, the clerk, Il
monotonous tones. exclaimed:
From Lobetski, st. Petersburg, vi
Hamburg.-To Earl OF Warnham
proclamation signed BY the Gar d.
claring war against England has jus
been received at the Foreign Offic'
but 1t is as yet Kept secret. 1t wi
probably be posted in the streets thl
evening. Greatest activity prevails
the War Office and Admiralty. Reg
ments In the military districts {
Charkon, Odessa, Warsaw and Kie
have received orders to complete the
cadres Of officers to war strength, RI
calling to the colors all oficers on tn
retired list and on leave. This Is
primary step to the complete mobil
cation Of the Russian forces. All c
pher messages now refused"
The Earl with frantic effort graspe
at the edge OF the table, then staggel
ed unevenly and sank back into
chair rigid and speeches..