The Olneyville times. (Olneyville [Providence, R.I.]) 1887-1917, 1903-12-26
EXCHANGE NO ROBBERY.
Secret Service Story
BE- CHARLES d. LESLIE.

HCw is, TO NJ Louis Pronge, OF
the Secret Service in Lohdon, that
the English Government has just pur-
chased the design of n 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-
cuplcd his mind MS he breakfasted. He
wrinkled his brow over IT, II was "a
highly delicate and difficult matter,
but not, he decided, impossible. There
were two points in his favor None
or his English friends suspected for n
moment that he was ia the pay Of the
French Secret Service; and among his
numerous friends he reckOnCd Cecll
Felowes. son and secretary of Gen
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 PrOngc had de
cided on his method OF action and dis.
patched telegram 10 one OF his sub
Ordinates tO come 10 him nt once,
Within an hour NJ. Villcpart was an
nounced
"A matter OF importance" my dear
colleague" said Prongc waving a hand
toward n vacant chair and the cigar
cite box Listen 20 me attentively"
"You know the house OF General Eel
loves i'm the Cromwell Road2 Good.
IL is the custom of the general. ! be
lleve, to work In his study every even.
Ing after dinner II will hc your busl-
ness TO see that he is not at home to
night at 10 O'clock Get him ont Of
the way by means of forged telegram
or similar means Watch the house
yourself; you will see me arrive lit
tle before ten, five minutes later drive
mp in a hanson. knock and demand
with much agitation to see Mr.. Cecil
FellOwes Immediately. Contrlvc 10
wait in the hall and have him come 10
you Keep him there engaged in con.
versation MS long as possible
Monsieur Pronge lunChcd at home,
and later he dressed with care and
went out lie turned home 10 dress
and dined at his club. which had a
high culinary reputation. Aftcrward
he was the centre Of lively group IN
the smoking room. and at 930 arose tC
depart.
"Ah, my friend" he cried to n good
looking young Englishman, Harold
Rising by name, much his height and
build. whom he met on the stairs 81
owe you n 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, Prongc. Where
nre you Off?"
ITO fetch Cecil Fcllowes and dra'
him from his work TO the Countess o.
Arrowby's ball Adieu."
In spite Of the protests OF the gen
erals butler Monsieur rrongc. learn
ing his friend was alone in the study
gayly insisted OH penetrating there.
Cecil my good friend. | have CONT
20 take you 10 the Countess of Arrow
by's ball. Positively. I will take n,
denial. l have secret 10 impart II
your ear; n certain young lady will b
there at II o'clock. The news fron
the highest authority ty-hersclf."
Young Fellowes had no intention q
going to the dance. but the interrun
tion of the Frenchman for few min
utes was not unwelcome; he listene
with amusement as Pronge's pleading
grew more urgent In the midst q
the visitors eloquence servant CT
tered and addressed Cecil
IF you please, sir, there's foreig
gentleman in very excited state /
the hall He says he must see You i'm
medately Oh important business"
"Well. show him into sitting roor
and I'll come"
"He won't leave the hall, sir, say
his cab is waiting"
What remarkable reason for sta!
ing there" observed Cecil, rising wit
laugh. Excuse me a minute. Prol
ge," and he left the room.
In the second that he was alone n
Frenchman sprang swiftly 10 the gel
erals writing desk. IL had slidir
front, and the owner having left
open all the pigeon holes and the do
uments therein were free 20 iuspcctio
Bundle after bundle OF neatly docket,
papers did the spy rapidly eNamin
Nearly all were concerned with art
lCry. but minutes passed and still II
plans he sought eiuded discover
Pronge painted with excitement as In
die after bundle was scanned and !
placed. At last he snatched out
small packet tied with red tar
"Plans. etc. OF New Belgian Fic
Gun" he read breathlessly. Success
At that instant the door opened al
Cecil returned. Pronge had only iu
time TO slip the packet into his oy,
coat pocket but not enough 10 spri
away from the table
'Such a madman. Pronge. countr
man OF yours. too. Said he was
the staff Of the Cri de Paris and see
ing the whereabouts Of Prince Wet