The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1898-05-13
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CHAPTER x.
ENGLAND's PERIL.

CHAPTER K.
ENGLAND's PERIL.
we spent the afternoon and evening
in reading through heaps Of letters,
but discovered nothing that would lead
us to any suspicion Of foul play. The
detective made notes Of one or two OF
the addresses of the writer's, and took
charge Of several letters relating to
money matters. When. however, we
had removed all the correspondence
from the small wooden box in which
1t had been kept the detective ascer-
stained that there was false bottom,
and, unable to find out the secret
whereby it might be opened, we fore
ed it with chisel.
At first we were disappointed, only
one Misunderstanding paper being
therein concealed, but when the off,
Ger eagerly opened it l at once rec
ognized it's extreme importance, al
though l preserved silence. The pa
per was nothing less than Russian
passport of a special character signed
by the Chief of Secret Police in St.
Petersburg, and countersigned by the
Minister Of the Interior himself. 1t
was not formally printed document.
but, written in Russian upon official
paper stamped with the double-head-
ed eagle, it was made out in the name
of Dudley Ogle, and after explain
ing that he was an official engaged
on secret service, gave him complete
immunity from arrest within the Rus
sian Empire.
Whats this, l wonder?" the detec-
tive said, puzzled by the unfamiliar
characters in the writing.
Taking it from him glanced through
it, and without betraying the slightest
surprise, answered, Merely a pass
port for Russia"
"That doesn't lead us to anything"
he replied, taking it from my hand,
glancing at it again for an instant,
and tossing it back carelessly into the
box.
But when he had completed his in
vestigations, removed whatever let
tiers and papers he thought might be
of use and departed, l secured the
passport and the crumpled foolscap,
and giving Juckes orders to remove
my belongings back to London and
give UP possession Of the cottage, re-
turned to Rossetti Mansions.
With these undeniable evidences Of
Ogle's activity as spy l was sit
ting alone next morning bordering
over the best course to pursue, at
last resolving to 60 to the Foreign
Office and bodily place the startling
facts before Lord Warnham
About noon l knocked at the door
of the Minister'S private room and re-
ceived in his deep hoarse voice per-
mission to enter. He was alone, seat
ed at his big writing table, engrossed
in long, closely written document he
was studying.
We'll, sir" he exclaimed, with an
expression Of displeasure when he saw
me. ITO what, pray, do l owe this
intrusion?"
81 have come" 1 said, ito clear my
self Of the charge you have made
against me.
"To clear yourself! BAH" he cried
in disgust, returning to his papers
my time is too valuable for further
discussion" and he made movement
to ring the bell for a messenger to
conduct me out.
But | placed my hand upon his bony
fingers firmly, and stayed it, saying:
'It is to your interest, Lord Warn
ham, as well as to my own, that you
should know the truth"
"a traitor who will sell his country's
honor is capable of any falsehooG
whereby to justify himself" he snap.
ped, savagely.
81 am no traitor" protested in an
ger.
His thin, white face relaxed into q
bitterly sarcastic smile, and his liz
curled in whitening contempt.
"The efforts Of ten years delicate
diplomacy with Berlin have been rem
dered futile by your treachery or cul
pable negligence. Now you come tt
me with some lame, paltry tale or 9th
er in an endeavor to convince me thai
you are neither thief nor spy Each
word of yours only aggrayates YOU
| offence l have dismissed you, and
! tell you l decline to reopen the ques
| ton"
But you have accused me of &
crime, and l demand to be Judged
| cried.
Il have already judged you" HI
said, after pause, laying down hi
pen with sudden calmness, and fix
ing his gray eyes keenly upon me.
Eyes, falsely"
"You have come to me to prove tina
have misjudged you" he said a
last, leaning back in his chair. "Ver!
well. Let me hear your story"
II have no story. further than wha
/ have already told you" l answered
you have made charge against me
l have come to you to refute it,"
by what means?"
"By documentary evidence"
Documentary evidence?" he ex
claimed. "Of what kind?"
you will remember that I told 20,
Of the death of the only man VIII
could speak regarding my absenc
from the Office, ard my return?"
yes. He died mysteriously. Tn
inquest was held yesterday" and, tax
! ing up letter from his table, the Ear
added: "The report from Scotlan
Yard that an open verdict was re
turned, although one witness, a won
an, alleged murder. Well what wa
the allegation? Against yourself?" h
asked, raising his gray, shagg
brows.
NO" 1 said with emphasis. 81 al
not a murderer
Then why did this woman-what'