Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-07-17

more than his usual shrewd decis'veness:
then he paused to see the effect of his an
nouncement.
I4oder was still studying the fiaring pos
TER At the others words he turned sharp
iy. Something in Lakeiy's voice, something
In his manner arrested him. A tinge OF
color crossed his face.
Reality" he sad. What do you meanT
For a further space his companion
watched him: then with rapid movement
he tilted back his chair.
Yes" he said. Yes; old Fra'de's In
stincts are never far out. He's quite right
You're the man,
Still quietly. but with a strange UNDER
glow OF excitement. Loder left the fire, and.
coming forward took a chair at Lakely's
desk
DO you mind telling me what you're
driving at?" he asked, in his Old, laeonic
voice
Lakeiy still scrutinizea-tlln with an air
OF brisk satisfaction: then with a gesture
of hnality he tossed his cigar away.
My dear chap" he said, there's going
to be breach somewhere-and Fraide says
you re the man to step in and fill it, You
see. five years ago, when things looked
lively on the gulf and the Bundar AbbaS
business came to light. you did some prom
lsIng work: and a reputation ike that STICKS
to man-even when he turns stacker! l
won't deny that you've Stacked apomin-
ably. he added. Loder made uneasy
movement, but stacking has different eff
facts. Some men run to seed, others mature.
mad almost put you down on the black
list. but I've altered my mind in the last
two MONTHS
Again Loder stirred in his seat \ host
or emotions We're stirring in his mind
Every word wrung from Lakely was an
other stimulus to pride, another subtle
tribute to the curious force of personality.
''Weli?" he said "Weif?'
Lakely smiled. I'VE all know that Self
borough's ministry is-welt. top-heavy," he
said Scarborough is builasag his card
house just story too high. It's tess-up
whatll upset the balance. 1t might be
the army. of course, or ii might be edu-
cation; but it might quite as we'll be a
matter of foreign poficy!'
They looked at each other in comprehen-
sve silence
You know as we'll as l that it's not the
question of whether Russia comes into
Persia, but the question of whether Russia
goes out of Persia when these Hazaras are
subdued. Iif lay you what you like, Chill
cote, that within one week we hear that
the fislngS are suppressed, but that Russia
instead of retiring has advanced those
tempting twenty miles and comfortably en-
sconced herself at Meshed-as she eusconc-
ed herself on the island OF Ashurada. Lake.
lys nervous. energetic figure was braced,
his tight-blue eyes frightened by the in
tensity of his interest
IF this news comes before the Easter
recess, he went on. the first nail can be
hammered in on the motion for adjourn
ment. And if the right man does it in the
al
in Sefboroughs coffin"
Loder sat very still Overwhelming pos
sibilities had suddenly opened before him.
In moment the unreality of the past
months had become real: tangible iusti-
fcation of himself and his imposture was
suddenly made possible. In the stress of
understanding he. too, leaned forward. and
resting his elbows on the desk took his
face between his hands.
For space LakeIy made no remark
To him man and mans moods came second
IN interest to his paper and his party poll
tics. That Chilcote should be conscious of
the glories he had opened up seemed only
natural; that he should show that con-
seriousness in a becoming gravity seemed
only right. For some seconds he made no
attempt TO disturb him: but at last his
own frrepressible activity made silence I'M
durable He caught up his pencil and tap
ped iml atiently on the desk.
>Chicote, he said, quickly and with
CLEAN of sudden anxiety you're not by
any chance doubtful of yourself?'
At the sound of his voice Loder lifted his
race; 1t was quite pale again. but the en-
ergy and resolution that had come into It
when Lakely first spoke We're still to be
seen.
No, Lakely." he said, very slowly, its
not the sort OF moment in which a man
doubts himself
Cro be continued tomorrow