The Portland daily press., 1898-04-05
BY WILLIAM LIE QUEUx,
COPYRIGHTED, 1897 BY WILLIAM LIE QUEUX.

NAeA@ ~-N| f0-
in emphasis OF his words.
A little more than mere caution. or
even shrewdness, is required to defeat the
efforts of the Cars spies" the Premier
said quietly. ''1n my opinion, Decides.
although in a measure under suspicion,
cannot be actuslly condemned. Remem-
Der. among Ogle's correspondence he dis
covered evidence of an undoubted attempt
to forge his handwriting.
"We have no corroporation that he
really did find that actually among the
dead mans possessions" exclaimed Lord
Warnham quickly. ~ have myself seen
the detective who accompanied him TO
Shepperton, and he tells me that no
sheets of paper of that character were dis
covered. He"
81 found them while he was engaged in
an adjoining room" interrupted. II
did not mention it to him, preferring to
bring the evidence straight to you"
''It is just possible that Decides version
is correct" observed the Premier per
sonally, must say, Warnham, that can
not see any ground for the dismissal of q
hitherto trustworthy servant of Her
Majesty upon this extraordinary evidence.
I have always found Deedessupright, loyal
and patriotic, and coming as he does of
we'll known family of diplomats, I really
do not suspect him of having played bis
country false.
Ill ODl1gGo lUF yUuf
Words" 1 exclaimed fervently. 81 assure
you that your merciful view is entirely
correct. / am Innocent, and at this
moment am utterly at loss to account
for any of the amazing events of the past
few days.
LordiWa nh"m was silent in thought for
a few moments, then, turning his sphinx.
like face to me, he said, in tone rather
more conciliatory than before, Every
we'll. AS it is Lord Maybury's wish
will reinstate you In the service, but re-
member, l have TO confidence in you.'
"Then you still suspect me of being a
spy?" I cried reproaohfully. 81 am to
remain under suspicion!'
Exactly" he answered dryly. "Until
the truth is ascertained l, at least, shall
believe you had something to do with the
theft of that secret convention. Even the
telegram sent from the Strand Post Office
to St. Petersburg is in your handwrit-
HForgedi'' interposed "IIave you not
already seen the careful attempts made
to copy the formation OF my letters and
figuresS"
day has pronounced the telegram to be
undoubtedly in your own hand, while the
counter clerk who took in the message
and received payment for it. has seen you
surreptitiously, and recognized you by the
shape Of the silk hat you habitually
wear"
Here was an astounding case of mistak-
en- identity. I had never entered the post
office near Exeter hall for six months at
least.
II should like to meet that clerk face to
facet burst forth. ''He tells distinct
falsehood when he says he recognizes me.
I did not go into the Strand at all on
that day. Then thought suddenly nc-
CURED to me when I reflected upon the
shape of my hat, and 1 added, ST admit
shape" taking it up and exhi biting it to
them. "But when l bought this in Pic
cadilly two months ago Ogle was with
me, and he purchased one exactly SINH
lar
"Again the evidence 1s against the dead
man." the Premier said, turning to Lord
Warnham "Where is his hat?' he in
CURED of me sharply.
cat Shepperton. I can produce it if
required Its shape is exactly like mine
4You had better speak to Frayling upon
that point" observed Lord Warnham.
cit may prove important. At any rate,
Decides, perhaps, after all, l have been
just trifle unjust in condemning you,
therefore consider yourself re-instated in
the same position az before, although |
must admit that my previous confidence
in your integrity Is, to say the least, seri-
ously-very seriously impaired.
II hope it will not remain SO long," /
said 'If there is anything 1 can do to
restore your belief in my honesty I will
do it at whatever cost"
tThere ia but one thing he exclaimed
"Discover the. identity of the spy"
~ will regard that the one endeayor of
my ]he.'' declared earnestly. "If the
mystery is to be fathoned I will accom-
plish 1t. -
"While we've been talking the Pre-
mier interposed, "a thought has occurred
to me, and for mentioning 1t I hope you,
Deedes will pardon me. 1t has struck
likely, this man Ogle was actually spy
who had carefully cultivated your &C.
quaintance with an Interior motive, is. 1T
not within the range of possibility that
the lady, who was also your most inti-
mate friend, as we'll as his, either knew
the true facts, Or had a hand in the
AFFAIR.""
him reese ntfully. "She is no spy"
The elderly statesman stroked his beard
thoughtfully and smiled, saying: "Ah,
1 expected as much. I myself was young
once. When man loves a woman he Is
very 10th to think her capable of any de-
ceit. Yet in this instance we must not
overlook the fact that more than one
I6D1al6 spy uaS Dt3en DfouGAb NAOoI JUL
notice
II am aware Of that replied, angry
that he should have made such a sugges-
ton against my well-beloved, yet remem-
bering her strange utterances when she
heard the news of impending war shouted
in the street. "But have the most i'm
plicit faith in the woman who is to be my
wife"
HAS she explained, then, the character
of the secret existing between herself and
Ogle?" asked Lord Warnham, raising his
grey shaggy brows. "From the evidence
at the inquest it was plain you will re-
member, that there was some mysterious
understanding between them. Has she
given you her reasons for declaring that
Ogle has been nurdered?"
For Il moment | was silent; afterwards
I was compelled to make p negative reply.
"That doesn't appear like perfect con-
fidence, does itg' the Foreign Minister OBJ
served, with a short, hard laugh. De-
pend upon it, Decides, she fears to tell you
the truth"
"No, she fears some other person."
admitted. "Who it is I know not"
"Find out, and we shall then discover
the spy" the Premier said, adding, with
touch of sympathy, after moments
nause: Remember [ allege nothinQ q