The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1907-09-01


of all, 1vor should tell III that he
loved her. and they should be engaged?
AT that thought l tried to bring on
n heart attack. and die; for at least 1t
would chill their happiness II. when
Lady Mountstuart's ball was over, I
should be found lying white and dead.
like Elaine on her barge.
/ was holding my breath, with my
hand pressed over my heart. to feel
how 1t was beating wien the door
opened suddenly, and ! heard voice
speaking.
CHAPTER II.
Lisn Listens.
Some one turned up the light. I'll
leave you together said Lord Mount
rtuarts; and the door was closed.
"Wha. could that mean i won
dered. had supposed the two men
had come in alone, but there must
have been a third person. Who could
it be? Had Lord Mountstuart been ar
ranging tete a tete between Di and
Ivor Dundns?
The thought was like a hand on
my throat. choking my life out. l
must hear what they had to say to
each other
Without stopping to think more. 1
rolled over and let myself sink down
into the narrow space between the
low couch and the wall. sharply pull
Ing the clinging folds Of my chiffon
dress after me. Then I lay still, my
blood pounding in my temples and
ears and In my nostrils faint. musky
smell from the Oriental stuff that COW
cred the lounge.
could see nothiHg from where lay,
except the side OF the couch. the wall
and bit of the ceiling with the gar
goyly cornfce which Di had mentioned
when she wanted to seem Indifferent
to the subject OF our conversation. But
I was listening with all my might for
what was to come
Better lock the, door, II you please,
Dundas," said voice which gave me
shock Of surprise, though I knew 1t
we'll.
Instead Of Di, 1t was the Foreign
Secretary who spoke.
I've won't run the risk OF Interrupt
tons" he went on, with that slow.
clear enunciation Of his which most
Oxford men have, and keep all their
lives, especially men OF the college
that was his-Balliol. IT told Mount
SlddiS thae "hukCu d pElVdtt CNdl
with you. Beyond that, he knows
nothing. nor does any ono else except
myself You understand that this con-
versation OF ours. whether anything
comes of 1t or not. Is entirely confden-
tial I have a proposal to make.
You'll agree to 1t or not. as you choose.
But II you don't agree. forget 1t. 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
ored-I won't say fiattered. for I'm
too much In earnest-that you should
place any confidence in me-"
frankly, I'm in a difficulty. and It
has occurred to me that you can help
me out of 1t better than any one else
know" said the smooth, trained
voice. ut is a little diplomatic errand
you Will have to undertake for me to-
morrow, IL you want to do. me g. good
turn
| II will undertake 1t with great
pleasure. and carry 1t through to the
| best Of my ability" replied Ivor.
I'm sure you can carry 1t through
excellently." said the Foreign Secre-
tary. still fencing. 1T will be good
practice II you succeed for-any flu
ture duties In the career which may
be opening to you"
He's briblng him with that consul
Ship" I thought, beginning to be very
curious indeed as to what I might be
going to hear. My heart wasn't beat
ing so thickly now. I could think al
most calmly again.
II thank you for your trust in me-"
said Ivor.
"a little diplomatic errand." repeat
ed the Foreign Secretary. TN itself
the thing Is not much: that Is. on the
face Of 1t. And yet, In Its relation with
other interests. 1t becomes a mission
OF vast Importance, incalculable i'm
portance. When have explained, you
will see why I apply to you. Indeed,
I came to my cousin Mountstuart's
| house expressly because was told
you would be at bis wife's ball. My
regret is. that the news which brought
me in search Of you. didn't reach me
earlier. for II 1t had I should have
come with my wife, and have got at
you in time to send you Off you
agreed to Goodnight AS 1t u.s. the
matter will have to rest till tomorrow
morning. It's too late for you to catch
the midnight boat across the Channel"
ACROSS the Channel?" echoed Ivor.
"You want me to go to France?"
YES"
zone could always get across some-
how" said Ivor. thoughtfully, II there
were great hurry
There is-the greatest. But in this