The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1907-09-07
CHAPTER x.


conviction. That was precisely the
kind of woman had determined shs
must be. But I had no intention Of
discussing her with Locke. A plan
was already seething In my brain-a
| plan Infinitely more thrilling than re-
cuing a comradc In the battlefield a.
traveller lost in the mountain-side.
Intended to keep that plan to myself.
In the meanwhile must have further |
details of this escapade Of the miss |
ing ambassador.
I'VE will speak of Countess Sara
hon presently" said, returning his
smile coolly. But tell me, why should
England adopt the slow and clumsy
expedient Of sending kings messer-
ger, as you call him, across Europe.
instead of demanding the instant re-
call of the minister by cable? That
Is my first question. and my second
is this: are you my dear Locke. IN
the secret councils of the British for
eign office that you know so much OF
their plans?"
"A kings messenger" drawled
Locke, "is supposed to have brain
between his shoulders and to exercise
his discretion. The foreign once
would wish to be quite sure that the
scandal was not clever ruse OF
secret agent of Russia or Turkey.
Even II the scandal exists. there
might be mitigating circumstances"
"You wish me to infer that thia
kings messenger is given discretion
airy powers of delivering or withhold
ing his dispatch? But how do yos
know that? That brings me to this
second question"
my dear chap, can put two and
two together, can't I? l can see .
church door, as Benedict said. when
am standing in front Of It."
"Oh. then. you are simply guess
ing" l cried. disguised.
Locke spread the tips Of his fingers
together. and regarded me humorous
| ". You forget / am consul q
| Lucerne? I, sir, am a parsonage.
| Rubbish" I exclaimed. brusquely
| .American consuls are not as rule
deeply in the confidence OF the min
listers In Downing street"
Locke laughed. looked about MN
cautiously. then whispered:
TITS something of secret, Haddon
Before / was consul at Lucerne / wal
a newspaper man. Yes: don't lool
shocked. 1 am not averse to ekinl
out the magnificent income allowe'
me by the United States government
by sending q budget of news occs
sionally to my old chief"
Il understand; you newspaper me-
= are ubiquitous. Before the mysteriou
knowledge of the press am silent"
II need hardly say that what / hav
ne told you is strictly between on
-. selves"
-, "Of course"
$50 far have not breathed Won
- of this extraordinary story. ! wis
- to make a grand coup. l am waitin
- for the finale of the story-the DR.
matte and perhaps tragic denouemen
For the end is not yet"
IN So saying, Locke produced his poe
GU etbook. From its voluminous foit
as he extracted an envelope. He held
on toward me in silence. took 1t cul
as ously. It bore an unfamiliar stamp.
tne ut is the stamp in the corner
WI wish you to examine carefully.
zee, ten years a collector will pay pref
wiz penny for this stamp. Already 1t
roi- as rare as strawberries in Januar
10 II was issued less than month a
rug to mark the anniversary OF Fer
res nand's succession to the throne. "
II il his likeness and that OF his q
lbie You are looking at. But Ferdina1
tea. would pay half million francs II
the could buy up and destroy that ISIS
uta- of stamps. In Bulgaria that Is 81
ple matter. His secret agents are
vt the lookout in every capital OF
Our rope. But you see they are not who
no successful"
ling AS Locke had suggested. look
man critically at this double stamp Will
With had caused Ferdinand so much Al
lave iety. Two heads were depicted III
pa were placed side by side, . man
rsr middle age and q handsome boy.
Al appeared to me a rather ordinary .
,ano of stamp.
ked. .Hold Il upssie down." command
Locke, impatiently. "cover the !
to hand corner with your hand. So NJ
sode do you see that a portion of the be-
the of the father and SON makes an
4 he mistakable death-mask! And
dis death-mask is that Of Prince Fs
has nand."
cro NE coNTINCEn,
! his - 80. =.