The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1905-11-05

EIaEEllIL6 may pc innocent. ana merely
Journeying to Brazil on business
Il propose to satisfy myself on that
point. Great God, man! do you think
L love this kind of Work-even for the
empeFor's protecion2 But my mas
ter is just, though forced at times to
act with seeming cruelty. must be
sure that Harcliffe is going to Brazil
as secretary to the rebel leader. and
you must aid me in determining the
fact. When our man goes to break
fast in the morning will examine his
room for papers. The pass-key is on
the bunch you gave me. I SUPPOSE
es, it is there"
Very well. Join your passengers
at breakfast, and should Mr.. HarcIiffe
leave the table on any pretext, see that
am duly warned
Certainly, senior,
And now I am going to bed. Good
night, Lertine.'
Good night, de Guarde"
They moved cautiously away, and
few minutes later I followed, regain
ing my state room without encounter
ing any one.
Once in my bunk lay revolving the
situation in my mind. Evidently it
was far from safe to involve ones self
in Brazilian politics. Ny friend Val
eour, as the captain had called him,
was spy of the emperor. masquer-
aiding under the title of Senior Manuel
COrteS de Guafde. A clever fellow, in
~GCA4s QCSp4AC his S0Ll5 feminine WHY'S
and innocent chatter, and one who re-
garded even murder as permissible in
the execution of his duty to Dom Pc
dro. It was the first time in my life
had been, to my knowledge. in any
personal danger, and the sensa ton
was rather agreeable than otherwise.
1t astonished me to discover that de
GuaFde knew so perfectly the contents
of Dom MiguePs letter to my uncle.
Doubtless the secret police had read
and made a copy of It before the blue
envelope had been permitted to leave
Brazil But in that case, I could not
understand why they had allowed the
missive to reach It's destination.
In his cool analysis of the situation,
my friend the spy had unerringly hit
upon the right person as the prospec-
tive secretary of the revolutionary
leader. Yet he had no positive proof,
and it was pleasant to reflect that in
my possession were no papers of any
sort that might implicate me. Uncle
Nelson had even omitted the custo-
mary letter of introduction.
DE. Pintra knew your father, and
your face viii therefore vouch for
your identity" the old gentleman had
declared. Others have remarked upon
the strong senblance bear my
father, and had no doubt de Pintra
would recognize me. But, in addition,
had stored in my memory a secret
word that would serve as talisman in
case of need.
Pedro's detective were distinctly in my
favor, and 1 was about to rest con-
tent in that knowledge, when an idea
took possession of me that promised
so much amusement that I could not
resist undertaking it. It may be that
was Influenced by a mild chagrin at
the deception practised upon me by de
Guarde, or the repulsion that a secret
service man always inspires in the
breast of q civilian. Anyway, I re-
solved to pit my wits against those of
Senior Valcour, and having formu-
lated my plan I fell asleep and rested
comfortably until daybreak.
It had been my habit to carry with
me pocket diary, inscribing therein
any vivid impressions or important
events that occurred to me. There
were many blank pages, for my life
had been rather barren of incident
of late; but I had resolved to keep a
record of this trip and for this pur-
pose the little book was now lying
upon the low shelf that served as table
in my room.
Arising somewhat before my usual
hour I made a hurried toilet and sat
down to make entries in my diary, I
stated that my sudden desire to visit
Brazil was due to curiosity, and that
my uncle had placed several minor
business matters in my hands to attend
to. My return to New Orleans would
depend entirely upon how we'll liked
the country where our house had so
6QCEESSI lilly kidQE0 III Il Atd1L@CC4lluA
Arriving at this point, I added the fol-
lowing paragraphs:
ION the ship with me Uncle Mel
son is sending a private secretary to
Dom Miguel de Pintra, who, It seems,
was an ancient customer of our house,
but is now more interested in politics
than in commerce. This secretary is
a remarkable fellow. yet so placid and
unassuming that no one is likely to
suspect his mission. He seems to know
everything, and has astOnished me by
his intimate knowledge of all that
transpires upon the ship. For ex-
ample, he tells me that my friend de
/ C.uarde of whom I have already
grown fond. is none other than a GER
/ tain Valcour, we'll known in the secret
service of his majesty the emperor
! of Brazil. Valcour is on board be-
! cause he knows the contents of a let
ter written by de Pintra to my uncle,
asking for a shreWd American to be-
/ come his private secre tary; also Val
! c0ur is instructed to dispose of the
/ rebel secretary before We land at Rio
meaning, of course, to murder him
secretly. This seemingly horrible plot
| but amuses our secretary, for Valcour
/ has only poor Captain Lertine to aid
/ him. whereas the wonderful American
/ has a following of desperate men
/ trained to deeds of bIoodshed who will
! obey his slightest nod. From what ]
/ learn. I am confident the plan is to
! ASA ssinate my friend Valcour in sec
ret manner Tor mere IS d rare oppoF-
| tunity to rid themselves of q hated
/ rovaIfst spy. Poor de Guarde!
would like to warn him of his danger,
but dare not. Even then, I doubt his
ability to escape. The tolls are closing
about him, even while he innocently
imagines that he, as the emperor's
1 agent controls the situation. It would
/ ali be laughable, were it not so very
terrible in its tragic aspect.
But therel I must not mix with
politics, but strive to hold aloof from
/ either side. The secretary, though
doubtless a marvel of diplomacy aud
/ duplicity. is too INSCRIPTIONS to suit
me. He has actually corrupted the
entire crew, from the engineers down,
ana at his word I am assured the fell
| lows would mutiny and seize the ship.
What chance has my poor friend de
! cs1larf or Ka1cour-to escape this