Wauwatosa news. [volume] (Wauwatosa, Wis.) 1900-1948, 1900-06-16
AN ACTORS STRATAGEM


never be given position of trust again, I"
Godfrey Hurst cried despairingly. And
Stephen Grant, looking into the troubled
face before him. thought what a boy
Geon was, in spite of his tiye-and-twenty.
years.
Godfrey Hurst was junior secretary to
the Queens fayorite ambassador at Flor
encc, and fayorte with all about him.
At the public school where they had
been together Godfrey had been Ste
phen's fag, and the healthful influence
that the elder had over the younger was
never wholly shaken off So that Geof-
frey Hurst, the budding diplomatist, lis
tened to Stephens opinion with as much
respect as he had done in the old DAYS
when as small boy he had BACKED his
boots and cooked his breakfast.
AS the two men sat together in the
actors bachelor quarters (for Stephen
was an actor of some promisel they pre-
scented striking contrast. Godfrey s
frock-coat fitted his tail figure to perfec-
ton, while Stephens wel-worn velvet
Jacket had a truly Bohemian air that
was in keeping with the careless ease OF
his surroundings. After awhile Stephen
offered cigar ease to his friend, but
Geoftrey shook his head; he had not the
heart to smoke.
"A cigar helps me to think" Stephen
said. as he carefully cut the end of a Ha-
yana and applied light; then, between
the puifs of smoke. he said slowly.
when did You first know that this mis-
sion would be given you?'
The day before yesterday the chief
sent for me" Godfrey answered. "He
said he had some important documents
to send TO the foreign office, and had de-
termined to intrust them to me. He
spoke very kindly of the way | had
served him, and also of the respect he en-
tertalned for my father, altogether maxi
ing me feel that choosing me as his ennis
sary was a signal mark of distinction.
How little | dreamed OF the pitiable re-
suit that was TO follow
When did you FIRST encounter Ham
mondY' stephen questioned.
wv hen | went on board the steamer at
Calais. | had not set eyes upon him
since the time we We're both STAYING a4saa.
that house III Yorkshire and I eXp0spsf
him for his cheating at cards. / quite
thought then he would owe me an eternal
grudge for it.
Stephen frowned. II had forgotten
that episode he said land that. added
TO what we both knew Of him in the old
days, renders it the more Incompetent
sible that you should nave given him
your confidence"
THAT is true enough" Godfrey said.
sadly. but | should not have been 50
easily duped had the passage across the
Channel been Il good one. You know
what a Confoundedly had sailor | am,
and the sea was fearfGlly ChOppy. | was
completely Knocked over, and Hammond
appeared most considerate advising me
TO lie down, and, when | had done So.
bringing me brandy, and then l went to
sleep
"WCu?" Stephen said intcrrogatiyely.
We'll, when | awoke | went on deck.
aud found we were close upon Dover
barber. | felt shattered; my head was
swimming. Hammond paid little heed
tn rae, and, as soon as the boat touched
the pier, hurried off without waiting for
me To accompany him. 1t was then that
| realized that my letter-case was gone.
There We're not many papers. then?
! You had no dispatch box"
No: merely few letters inClosed in
! small leather case. When | first diScov-
cred my loss | was stunned; then il
flashed npon me that | was George
HammondS victim-that he had taken
/ the papers from me while | slept The
! train was still waiting when [ reached
the platform and | caught sight Of him
az one Of the carriage windows. | don't
J know what | said in my excitement rs |
demanded my pocketbook. He laughed,
/ assuring me he knew nothing of il. |
caught at the door of the carriage and
would have torn it open. but he leaned
! from the window and pushed me- so that
J STAGGERED back and heard him say
70 the people about that | was drunk,
Then | was roughly handled 10y the por-
tiers: and the train steamed out OF the
station"
when you came To your senses YOU
made Your way here:" stephen said
Yes; my first thought was 70 come to
yao, knew you would help nue. If YOU
could
Heaven knows | would. dear boy: but
the question is. what can be doue%"
"SuWcthing must be done, stephen. or
| shall 80 mad, My honor. my future.
aud-bcavcn help me.-my whole hfe's
happiness ere mt stake
stephen watched him critically.
i expected that, he said. so yonr
/ ambition has led you To great heights.
aud You have dared To- set Nuur hearr
upon an ambassadors daughter%'
/ For momentra S,E>.@gHnder expression
| filed Geoitrcy' : eyes, then he said bitter
You are right: my ambition over
lcapej itself, | have been living I'm a
! fools paradise. and. heaven knows, the
awakening is hard
/ The hest thing might be 20 nut the
I matter into the hands of the police 3"
/ Stephen suggested, calmly.
/ II eauaot bring myself to it," Geofrrey
said. 1t would hc making public what
| have promised should be sacred "
stephen knocked the ash of his cigar
/ rs he said thoughtfuly:
( Il wonder il Hammond would destroy
| The papers? They would be dangerous
I THINGS to keep"
/ Il don't fancy he would-at least, not
/ vet: he would naturally hope To make
/ capital out Of them"
/ stephen nodded assent. then he added.
/ You know Hammond has married a
( widow with n hit of money. who has q
/ house somewhere in the suhurbS?"
/ Would he 20 10 his homc?" GeoH
asked douhtfUlly.
Very probably" Stephen answered
/ Then he took ont his watch Il must be-
! at a rehearsal In half an hour" be said
But what can be- lone. stephen? Can