The San Francisco call., 1907-03-03

me TO seek peace or some measure or
1t from these things.
At last a break came. a summons 20
London to a meeting OF the Council.
was just able to catch my train and
reach the War Office at the appointed
tine. There were two hours OF impor-
tant work, and I noticed general air
Of gravity on the faces Of every one
present. After il was over Ray came
10 my side.
-.Ducaine~ he said. Lord Cheisford
wishes TO speak 10 YOU for few mo-
ments Come this way"
lie led me into a small, barely fur
nisheo room with high windows and
only one door. Ii was empty when we
entered it. Ray looked at me as he
closed the door and ! fancied that for
him his expression was not unfriendly.
.Ducaine,' he said, there has been
some more OF this damned leakage.
Chelsford will ask you questions An
swer him simply. but tell him every
thing-everything, you understand
II should not dream of any conceal
ment." ] answered.
''of course not. But 1t is possible
All"
He broke OF and remained listening.
There was the sound OF a quick foot
step in the hall
Now YOU will understand what ]
mean he whispered. Remember
II was not Chelsford. but the Duke,
who entered and greeted me cordially.
with farewell nod to me Ray dis
appeared. Tie Duke looked around
and watcied IN close the door. Then
he turned ia me-
'.Ducs.rs. hc said. "A copy or our
propaScd sa-.p at winchester. and the
fortincations -on Bedlcrs Hill, has
reached Paris
Your Grace" l answered. 1T was i
who pointed out to you that our pa
pers dealing with those matters had
been tampereo with. ] am waiting now
to-be cross questioned by Lord Chefs
ford. j have done all that is humanity
possible. II goes without saying that
choose 10 ask for it,
The Duke sat down and looked at
me thoughtfully.
~Ducalne," he said, Il believe in
you"
! drew a little breath OF relief. The
Duke was hard man and man OF
few words ] felt that in making that
speech sc had departed great deal
from his usual course OF action, and !
knew that he meant it.
L am very much obliged 10 your
Grace" I answered.
II think" he continued. that Lord
Chelsford. and in fact all the others,
are 1uCiiuf0 10 accept you tfl ny trtt~-
mate. We all Of US feel that we are
the victims OF some unique and very
marvellous piece of roguery on the
part OF Some one or other. ] believe
myself that we are, on the eve Of a
discovery.
THANK heaven I murmured.
We shall only succeed In unrayeling
this mystery." the Duke continued de-
lfberately. s.by very cautious and deli
cate mancuvering- have an idea
which I propose 10 carry out, But its
success depends largely upon you
Upon me- I repeated, amazed
Exactly, Upon your common sense
and judgment"
The Duke paused TO listen for a
moment Then he continued, speaking
very slowly, and leaning over toward
me-
Lord ChelEford proposes for his own
satisfaction TO cross-cNami1e YOU. IL
occurs to me that yoil Will probably
tell him OF your fancied disturbance Of
those papers in the safe. and OF your
little adventure with the Prince of Ma
lors.''
looked at him in surprise.
"Havc they not all been told OF this?"
I asked.
"No."
There was { moments dead silence.
I was little staggered. The Duke
remained impcrturbsbie.
They have not been told" he re-
peated no one has been told. The
matter was one for my discretion, and
I exercised it.
There seemed 10 be no remark which
I could make, so ! kept silent.
I'VE have discussed this matter be-
fore" the Duke said. ''and my firm con-
vicfion is that you were mistaken.
That safe could only have been opened
by yourself. Fay or myself ! think I
am Justified in saying that mono Of
Us did open IL"
Nevertheless, that safe was opened"
I objected. Those were the very pa
pers copies of which have found their
way TO Paris"
Exactly" the Duke answered. 'Only
you must remember that every member
of the board was sufficiently acouaint-
ed with their contents to have sent
those particulars TO Paris. without
opening the safe for further investi-
cation OF them. Any statement of your
suspicion would only result in atten-
ton being diverted from the proper
quarters to members OF. my household.