The Portland daily press., 1898-03-23
COPYRIGHTED, 1897, BY WILLIAM LIE oUEU1.

LUX " away from prJlES eyes at once,
Lord Warnhaln said few moments later,
handing me the envelope after he had
sealed it. Taking it, I went straight t o
my own room across the corridor at the
head OF the Ane central staircase. 1t was
part Of my lty to receive the more i'm
portant dispatches, number those that
were sealed, and prior their being deposit
ed in the safe, register the number IN
my book, stating the source whence they
came, the date received, and the name of
the messenger who brought them.
Alone in my room | closed the door,
took the register from my own small safe.
mum mbered the precious envelope with the
designation 'B. 81, ,S93," and carefully
made an entry in the book. Having fin
ished, a clerk brought me two letters
from other departments, both OF which
needed immediate replies, therefore 1 sat
down and scribbled them while he wait
ed. Then, having been absent FROM the
Chiefs room nearly quarter of an hour,
l went back with the dispatch in my
hand. In the room I found Lord Gays
ford, who, in reply to my question, stated
that the Earl had been compelled to leave
in order to attend meeting of the Cabi-
net, which he believed would bs a pro-
racted one.
To me this was provoking, for the great
statesman had taken with him the key
Of the safe, thus was left with this i'm
portant document in my possession. But
I said nothing of the matter to the Under
Secretary, and returning to my room
placed the dispatch in my inner pocket
for greater security determined to keep it
there until his Lordship returned. /
feared to lock it away in iny own safe lest
anyone else might possess key, and felt
that in the circumstances my own pocket
was the safest place.
For nearly two hours l continued my
work, it being Friday, an unusually busy
day, until just as the clock at the Horse
Guards chimed one O'Clock a clerk en-
tered with the card Of Dudley Ogle, my
college chum, with whom l was now
sharing. during the summer months,
cottage close to the Thames at Shopper
ton. On the card was the pencilled
query, "Can you come and lunch with
me?''
For a few moments hesitated. l was
busy, and was compelled to deliver the
dispatch in my pocket to Lord Warnham
before he left for home. l knew how
ever, that the meeting of the Cabinet
must be long one, and recognizing the
fact that must lunch somewhere, l gave
the clerk a message that would join MIR.
Ogle in the waiting-room in a few mo-
ments. Then, locking my safe. | assured
myself that the dispatch was still in my
pocket, brushed my hat, and joined my
friend
Dudley Ogls was the best of good fell
lows. After rather wild college career,
1T had been his fancy to roam for about
two years on the Continent, and on his
return, his father, with whom be was
not on the best of terms, conveniently
died, leaving him possessor of about forty
thousand po unds. BY this time he had,
however, sown his wild oats, and instead
of spending his money as most young men
0f HI would hav hQ invested
it, and now lived q careless, indolent ex-
istence, travelling where he pleased, and
getting as much enjoyment out Of life as
was possible. He was about my own
age. twenty eight, well setup, smart
looking,s with rather aquiline features,
dark hair, and pal of merry eyes that
were an index to oontented mind
Didn't expect me, I suppose, old fell
low" he exclaimed breezily when we
met ''I found after you'd left this morn
ing that I,swas compelled to come up to
town, and having nothing to do for an
hour or SO, 1t occurred to me we might
lunch together. -
81 thought you intended to pull up as
far as the Nook said, laughing.
$50 did, but I received o wire calling
me to town on come rather urgent busi-
ness. Where shall we luneh?'
In descending the stairs and turning
into Downing street we discussed the
merits of various res6a urants, and finally
decided upon a small, old-fashioned, un-
pretentlous, but well-known place q few
doors from Charing Cross, in the direo
tion of Whitehall, known as The Ship.
Here we ate our meal, spent an bour to-
gether, and then parted, he leaving to
return to SheppeTton. [ to finish my
work and rejoin him later at our riparia
home.
On my return to the Foreign Office the
Earl had, found, just come in, and
handed him tho secret document which
some day, sooner or later, would control
the destiny Of an Empire.
"This has, of course, not been out of
your possession, Deedes?" inquired his
lordship, looking keenly at me with his
grey eyes, as he stood before the open
door of the great safe.
''Not for q single instant, l replied.
't6cod. 1 trust you,' he said, carefully
placing the sealed envelope. in pigeon
loud clang. locked it.
~ Think he said, his ascetic features
relaxing into self-satisfed emile, "I
think we have once again checkmated our
enemies, and swiftly too. The whole
thing has been arranged and concluded
within week, thanks to the clever diplo-
macy of Emden at Berlin. ~
"And to your own forethought, " l add
"No, no. To Emden all credit is due,
none to me, none," he answered modestly
then turning he gave me some instruo-
tions, and few minutes later put on his
hat and left for home. At four O'Clock
also left, and driving to Waterloo, caught
my train to Shepperton, where l found
Dudley Ogle, awaiting me. Ours was
pretty cottage. Facing the river, it wa
covered with creepers, sweet smelling
iasemine and roses, with rustic porch
in front, and large old-world garden
around. Life was delightful there after
the stuffiness of London cham bers, and
as we both had with US our men, in ad-
dition to Mrs. Franks, my trusty house
keeper, we were prevented from being
troubled by the minor worries of life.
"Bulloa, old ohapp' cried Dudley,
heartily, rousing himself from lazy
attitude on the couch in our sitting room
as I entered. ''Stifiing hot, isn't itP
There's a wire from the Laings on the
table. They want US to dine with them
tonight. Going?"
1 heaitated and my reluctance did not
escape him.
"isn't Elias company sufficient induce
ment?" he asked chaffingly.
"Going2 OF course l am" I said
quickly, glancing at my watch. 'We
have a full hour before dressing. Let S
cyo for a row It'll irproye orr anne