Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1906-03-03

- St-hu inc IcQulIcd lulOfmduOn. she
possesses a key to every lock"
And what might this key oer'-
with tolerant irony.
Gold"
But If the United States found out
what Russia was doing, there might
be war"
Nothing of the kind. Russia would
simply deny all knowledge. The man
whom she selected TO do the work
would be discredited, banished. per-
haps sent to Siberia, TO rot in the
mines. No. there would be no war.
Russia would weigh all these possi-
bilities in selecting her arm. She
would choose a man of high intellect,
rich, well-known in social circles. a
linguist. a man acquainted with all
histories and all phases of life. a diplo-
mat. perhaps young and pleasing. You
will say, why does he accept so base
a taskg When a Russian noble takes
the oath in the presence Of his car.
he becomes simply an arm; he no
longer thinks. his master thinks for
him. He only acts. So long as he Of
fers his services without remunera-
ton. his honor remains untouched, I'M
sullied A paid spy is the basest of
all creatures"
Count. take care that do not warn
my country Of Russias purpose. You
are telling me very strange things"
The American eyed his companion
sharply.
Warn the United States? I tell
you. il viii not matter. All Russia
would need would be dissatisfied
clerk. What could ne not do with half
a million francs?" The diplomat blew
a cloud OF smoke through his nostrils
and duiped the end of his cigarette.
"A hundred thousand dollars2"
The diplomat glanced amusedly at
his American friend. 81 suppose that
sounds small enough to You rich Amer
leans. But 10 clerk il reads wealth"
The American was silent A terri
bic thought flashed through his brain.
a thought that De repulsed almost i'm
mcdi1tely
"Of course. + am only specializing;
nothing has been done as yet"
"Then something ie going 20 be
done?" asked the American. clearing
hts voice
zone day or another. II we can not
find the clerk. we shall look higher
We should consider a million francs
well invested America is rapidly be-
coming q great power But let us
drop The subject and turn 20 some
thing more agreeable 60 MS both. Your
daughter is charming. I honestly con-
fess 90 You that / have not met her
equal I'm any country. Pardon my
presumption, but may ! ask If she
is ENGAGED TO Ice married?"
Not 90 my know ledge. VASTLY sur
prised and at the same time pleased
Are You averse 20 foreign alIl-
arces?' The diplomat dipped the end
of his frcsh-lighted cisar into his cof-
fee
My dear count. I am not averse to
| foreign alliances but ] rather suspect
that my daughter is. This aversion
might be overcome. however"
What a vista was opened 20 this
wretched father, II only she might
marry riches, how easily he might con
fess what he had done. how easily all
this despair and terror might be dis
persedl And here was a man who was
known ia the great world, rich, young
and handsome.
The other Eazed dreamiIy at the
ceiling; from there his gaze Travelled
about the cofee-room, with it's gath
ering OF coffee-drinkers. and IL length
/ came back 20 his vis-a-vs.
You viii return to Washington" he
asked.
Il shall live there for the winter:
that is. / expect to-"
Doubtless we shall see each other
this winter. then. and the count
threw away his cigar. babe his com
panion good night, aud went TO his
room
How adroitly he had sown the seedl
At that period he had no positive idea
upon what kind Of ground he had cast
H. But he took that chance which all
far-sighted men take. and then
waited. There was little he had not
/ learned about this handsome American
with the beautiful daughter. How he
/ had learned viii always remain dark to
me. Ny own opinion is that he had
been studying him during his tenure
OF Office in Washington, and. With that
patience which IS making Russia so
formidable, waited for this opportu-
nifty.
shall give the Russian all the JUS
tice of impartiality When he saw
I the girl. he rather shrank from the
affair. But be had gone too far. he
i had promised too much; to withdraw
now meant his own defeat his gov
ernment's anger, his political oblivion.
And there was a zest in this life of his.
lie could no more resist the call Of
intrigue than a gambler can resist the
croupier's Make your game. gentle
meni" I believe that he loved the girl
/ the moment he set-e eyes upon her. Her
! beauty and bearing distinguished her
from the other women he had met. and
her personality was so engaging that
..FI