The Montgomery advertiser., 1907-09-02
(Continned.)
CHAPTER H. Lfhn LiMfena.


 Had Lord Mountstuart been arranging tete tete between Di and Ivor Dun- das7
 The thought was like hand on my throat. choking my life out. must hear what they had to say to each other.
 Without stopping to think more, I rolled over and let myself sink down into the marrow space between the low couch and the wall, sharply pull ing the slinging folds of my chiffon dress after me. Then lay still, my blood pounding in my temples ard ears. and in my nostrils a faint. t-k smell from the Oriental stuff that GOV. cred the lounge.
 could see nothing from where I lay, except the side of the couch, the wall, and a bit of the ceiling with the gargoyly cornice which Di had mentioned when she wanted to seem in- different to the subject of our conver- sation. But I was listening with all my might for what was to come.
 Better lock the door, if you please, Dundas,T said voice which gave me shock of surprise. though knew 1t we'll.
 Instead of Di, it was the Foreign Secretary who spoke.
 We won't run the risk of nterrup- tAofcS l6 WCnL On tWtIA L4dt 6IOW, clear enunciation of his which most Oxford men have, and keep all their lives, especially men of the college that was his-Balliol. T told Mount stuart that wanted private chat with you. Beyond that. he knows nothing, nor does anyone else except myself. You understand that this conversation of ours, whether anything comes of it or not is entirely conf &oH A.. You'll agree to 1t or not. as you choose. But If you don't agree. forget it, with everything I may have said.'
 My services and my memory are both at your disposal" answered Ivor, in such a gay, happy voice that some thing told me he had already talked with Diana-and that in spite of me she had not snubbed him. T am hon. ored-I won't say fiattered, for I'm too much in earnest-that you should place any confidence in me-"
 I lay there behind the lounge and sneered at this speech of his. Of course, said to myself he would be ready to do anything to please the Foreign Secretary, since all the big plums his ambition craved were in the gift of that man.
 Frankly, I'm in a difficulty, and it has occurred to me that you can help me out of 1t better than anyone else l know" said the smooth, trained voice. aIt is a little diplomatic errand you will have to undertake for me tomor- row, if you. want to do me good turn" 4@ FAA assk
 T will undertake it with great pleasure, and carry it through to the best of my ability" replied Ivor.
 'T'm sure you can carry It through excellently," said the Foreign Secre- tary, still fencing Tt will be good practice if you succeed, for-any fu- ture duties in the career which may De opening to you"
 "Ie's bribing him with that consult ship" I thought, beginning to be very curious, indeed, as to what l might De going to hear. My heart wasn't beat- ing so thiclkly now. I could think al- most calmly again.
 T thank you for your trust in me. said Ivor.
 "A little diplomatic errand." repeat cd inc ForeIgn Secretary. 'In itself the thing is not much; that is, on the face of it. And you, in it's relation with other interests. it becomes a mis- sion of vast. importance, incalcuiable importance. When I have explained. you will see why apply 10 vou- !n- deed. I came to my cousin Mountstu' arts house expressly because l was told you would be at his wife's ball. Nv regret is, that the news which hrougbt me in search of you didn't reach me earlier, for if 1t had l ahould have come with my wife, and have got at you in time to send you 1 off-if you agreed to go--tonight AS It is tha matter will have to rest till l tomorrow morning. It's too late Tor YOU to catch the midnight boat across the Channel
 Across the Channel?" echoed IVor' ''You want me to go to France' "Yes."
 "one could always get across some how" said Ivor. thoughtfully' If there were a great hurry. Al, | aSThere is--the greatest. But in thi' l case. the more haste, the less speed | srbst is. if you were to rush off, order l a special train. and charter a tug ol | motor boat at Dover as l suppose vol mean, my object would probaply p' l Jefeated. I came to you because tnos' ssbo ,sra watching this business yvnrIdn't be likely to guess I had sivel won hand in it. All that you do however. must be done quietly, wltl no fuss. no sign of anything unusua -o5ng m. It was natural l shouI' come to a. ball given by my wife's SIS fer. whose husband is my cousih. M one knows of this interview or ours. helieye may make my nm mn easy on that score at le@es And 1t is equally natural tnat yo should start on business or pleasuI '.. q, 2 1a,,, o1Tp for Paris tomorrow morning sIso that YOU should meet Mademols ellie de Renzie there" ,,, SMadennofselle de RenzieT excialme I,,oT or his guard for an instant. an Showing plainly that he was laKe
 SIsn,t she friend of yoursY" aske tbe TToreIen Secretary rather sharpH Though I couldn't see him, knew eN sct1v how he would be looking at lVo' b5s i,aen gray eyes narrowed. his clean shaven lips drawn in, the long. well sbsned hand. of which he is said to vain toying with the pale Malmaiso mink he always wears in his button hole.
 "Yes, she is a friend of mine Two answered. "But---
 "A but alreadyi Perhaps I'd bette tell you that the mission has to d with Mademoiselle de Renzie. and. al rectly. with no one else. She has acte as my agent in Paris
 "Indeedl didn't dream that she dab bled fin politics"
 And YOU should not dream it fror any word of mine. MT. Dundas, if weren't necessary to be entirely ope with you, if you are to help me in thi matter But before we go any furthe I must know whether Mademoiselle d Renzie's connection with this bushes will for any reason keep you out C it."
 Not if-you need my help" said Iy ar. with an effort. And I beg yo won't suppose that my hesitation Ina