Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1903-12-26
.AoA>. Il has come to our knowl.
4 Y 7 edge" wrote a certain high
3 9 official Of the French INTEL
Y ~ lipance Danartmant In Par.


Y ligence Department in Par.
To~ il, to NJ. Louis Pronge. OF
the Secret Service in london, that
the English Government has just pur.
chased the design Of a new light field
gun, identical with the Bracket which
you are aware, has been adopted by
our Artillery Department. We fear the
inventor has deceived us. Verify our
information and procure, If possible,
copy of the design. This Is Of special
Importance, for the gun may even be
an Improvement on the one we have
bought. Spare no expense; the matter
is Of the utmost Importance"
This command Of his paymasters oc.
cupied his mind as he breakfasted. He
wrinkled his brow over it. 1t was q
highly delicate and difficult matter,
but not, he decided. impossible. There
were two points in his favor. None
Of his English friends suspected for a
moment that he was in the pay Of the
French-Secret Service; and among his
numerous friends he reckoned Cecil
Fellowes, son and secretary Of Cen
eral Fellowes, the head Of the ordnance
office. The designs Of the gun would
be carefully studied by the general be-
fore a final decision by the English
Government. and copies of the plans
would very likely be now at the gener.
ais house. BY the end of his third af.
ter breakfast cigarette Pronge had de-
cided on his method of action and dis
patched telegram to one of his sub
ordinates to come to him at once.
Within an hour NJ. Villepart was an.
nounced.
"A matter of Importance" my dear
colleague" said Pronge waving hand
toward vacant chair and the cigar.
cite box. "Listen to me attentively."
"You know the house of General Eel.
loves in the Cromwell Road? Good
1t is the custom Of the general. be.
lieve, to work in his study every even
ing after dinner. 1t will be your bust.
ness to see that he 10 not at home to.
night at 10 o'clock. Get him out OF
the way by means Of forged telegram
or similar means. Watch the house
yourself; you will see me arrive lit
tic before ten, five minutes later drive
up in a hanson, knock and demand
with much agitation to see Mr.. Cecil
Fellowes Immediately. Contrive- to
wait in the hall and have him come ia
you. Keep him there engaged in con
versation as long as possible"
Monsieur Pronge lunched at home
and later he dressed with care and
went out. He turned home to dress
and dined at his club, which had a
high culinary reputation. Afterward
he was the centre of a lively group in
the smoking-room. and at $50 arose tc
depart.
"Ah, my friend" he cried to good
looking young Englishman. Harold
Rising by name, much his height and
build, whom he met on the stairs, 81
owe you thousand thanks. The tail
or you recommended is admirable. MY
clothes, see; the best suit ever had
And the overcoat like yours ordered
fits superbly."
"Glad you like him, Pronge. Where
are you Off"
ITO fetch Cecil Fellowes and drai
him from his work to the Countess Of
Arrowby's ball. Adieu."
In spite Of the protests Of the gen
erals butler. Monsieur Pronge, learn
ing his friend was alone in the study
gayly insisted ON penetrating there.
Cecil, my good friend, I have conn
| to take you to the Countess Of Arrow
by's ball. Positively, will take NJ
denial. / have a secret to impart II
your ear; certain young lady will b.
there at II o'clock. The news from
the highest authority-herself."
Young Fellowes had no intention o
going to the dance, but the interrup
ton of the Frenchman for a few min
utes was not unwelcome; he listenet
with amusement as Pronge's pleading
grew more urgent. In the midst o
the visitors eloquence servant en-
tered and addressed Cecil.
"If you please, sir. there's a foreigl
gentleman in very excited state II
the hall. He says he must see you i'm
mediately on important business"
"Well, show him into sitting-roOn
and I'll come"
"He won't leave the hall, sir; say
his cab is waiting"
"What remarkable reason for stay
ing there" observed Cecil, rising Wit
a laugh. Excuse me a minute. Pror
| ~o o-1 I,n lofk tho ronp,
In the second that he was alone tn
Frenchman sprang swiftly to the ger
erals writing desk. 1t had a slidin
front, and the owner having left
open all the pigeon holes and the do
uments therein were free to inspection
Bundle after bundle of neatly dockete
papers did the spy rapidly examine
Nearly all were concerned with arti
lery. but minutes passed and still tn
plans he sought eluded discover.
Pronge painted with excitement as bul
die after bundle was scanned and r.
placed. At last he snatched out
small packet tied with red tap
"Plans, ETC.. of New Belgian File
Cum" he read breathlessly. Success
At that instant the door opened an
Cecil returned. Pronge had only ju
time to slip the packet into his owe
coat pocket, but not enough to sprir
away from the table.
"Such a mailman, Pronge, a countr
man of yours. too. Said he was {
the staff of the Cri de Paris and see
ing the whereabouts Of Prince Wet
Of Orleans. Had been informed Il
prince was seen in my company I
day. begged to know his addres
wouldn't accept my denials that
didn't even know the prince. He POI
lively raved; couldn't get rid Of him
"Ah, 1t is for him Of importance
answered the Frenchman hastily. ct
prince, you know, for some weeks b
been missing; no one knows where
is, and all the French journalists a
seeking clues. This man followed
wrong one. Now. again implore y
,,.n 81 a he{a\ ~,l nfi