The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1904-01-14
EXCHANGED IS NO ROBBERY


1T has come to our knowledge wrote
certain high official Of the French In
telligence Department in Paris, to NJ.
Louis Pronge of the secret service IN
London. that the English government
has just purchased the design of new
light field gum identical with the, 'Brack-
eli which. you are aware, has been adopt
ed by cur artillery department. We fear
the inventor has deceived US. Verify our
information, and procure, if possible, a
copy Of the design. This is OF special i'm
portance, for the gun may even be an
Improvement on the one We have bought
Spare no expense: the matter is of the ut
most Importance
This command of his paymasters occu-
pied his mind as he .breakfasted. He
wrinlled his brow over it. 1t was
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 Feliowes. son
and secretary Of General FeIlowes. the
head of the ordinance office. The designs
for the gun would be carefully studied by
the general before a final decision by the
English government and copies of the
plans would very likely be now at the
gnerals house. By the 7end of his third
after breakfast cigarette Pronge had de-
cided on his method of action and de-
spatched a telegram to one of his subor-
dinates to come TO him at once. Within
an hourr n Villepart was announced.
Of
league" said Pronge, waving a hand
toward a vacant chair and the cigarette
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, 1 believe to
work in his study every evening after
dinner. 1t will be your business to see
that he is not at home tonight at 10
o'clock. Get him out Of the way by means
OF a. forged telegram or similar means.
Watch the house yourself; you Will see
ME arrive little before 10 Five minutes
later drive up in hanson, knock and
demand with much agitation TO see Mr..
Cecil Fellowes Immediately ContIive to
wait in the hall and have him come to
you. Keep him there engaged in CONVEX
sation as long as possible
Monsieur Pronge lunched al home. and
later he dressed with care and went out
He turned home to dress and dined at
his club, which had high culinary repu-
tation. Afterwards he was the center
OF lively group in the smoking ROOM
and at half-past nine he rose to depart
All, my friend he cried to a good
looking young Enslishman, Harold Rising
By name, much his height and build
whom he met on the stairs Il owe YOU a
thousand thanks. The tailor you recon-
.mended is admirable. My clothes, see:
the best suit | ever had. And the over
coat like yours l order fits superbly''
Glad you like him. Prongc. Where
are you off,"
ITO fetch Cecil Fellowes and drag him |
from his work to the Countess of Arrow
by's ball. Adieu.'
In spite of the protests of the generals !
butler, Monsieur Pronge, learning his 1
friend was alone in the study. gayly in
sisted on penetrating there
Cecil, my good friend. l have come to
take you to the Countess of Arrowby's |
ball. Positively | will take no denial. | |
have secret to impart in your ear; a |
certain young lady will be there at II /
O'Clock. The news from the highest au-
thority-herself"
Young Fellowes had no intention of 60
ing to the dance, but the interruption of
the Frenchman; he listened with amuse-
ment as ProRges pleadings grew more
urgent In the midst OF the visitors elo-
quence a servant entered and addressed
Cecil
IF you please. sir, there's a foreign
gentleman in a very excited state iii the
hall. He says he must you imme-
diately on importan; business
Well, show him into the sitting room
and I'll come"
He won't leave the hall, sir; says his
cab is waiting"
What a remarkable reason for staying
there" observe. Cecil rising with a
laugh. Excuse me a minute, Pronge"
and he left the room
In the second that he was alone the
Frenchman srrang swiftly to the gener-
ais writing desk 1t had 2 slidin. front
and the owners having left it open. all
the pigeonholes and the documents there
in were free to inspection. BuGd G after
bundle of neatly ~uocketed papers did The
spy rapidly examine. Nearly all were con-
cerned with artillery but minutes passed
and still the plans he sought elud dis
cofery. PONCE painted with excitement
ar bundle after bundle was scanned and
replaced At last he snatched out small
packet tied With red tape. Plans, etc
OF New Belgian field gun" he read
breathlessly. Success! At that instant
the door opened and Cecil returned !
Pronge had only just time to slip the
packet into his overcoat pocket bat not
enough to spring away from the table.
Such a mailman. Pronge. 4 country
man OF yours. toe Said he was on tn,
staff OF Cri de Iaris. and seeking the
whereabouts Of .'rince Victor Of Orleans.
Had been Informed the prince was seen in
my company today, begged to know his
address. and wouldn't accept my denials
that / didn't even know the prince He
positively raved: l couldn't get rid of
him
"Ah, II is for him Of importance" an
swered the Frenchman hastily. The
prince. you know. for some weeks has
been missing; TO one knows where he IS.
and all the French journalists are seeking
clues. This man followed a wrong che
Now. again. l implore YOU to accompany
me-just "a brief visit
To his infinite disgust. Cecil answered
''Well. you have persuaded me; let US go
then
Pronge expressed his delight and
swore under his breath. but his annoy
ance at having to leave the house with
Cecil instead OF alone changed 70 IA. m
as he quickly discegned his icompanion
Slc i'm ~ - :