The Red Cloud chief., 1907-09-13

Of course. Immense. She has only To
fire on an English ship. by mistake, of
course, and the whole fat would be in
the fire. England probably would i'm.
sist upon the squadron being detained.
Germany would protest against any
such action. We might very well he
ut war with Russia and Germany with.
in ten days. Russia would immedi.
ately either make terms with Japan
or abandon any active operations In
Manchuria and move upon India. Ger.
many would come for us
"Is this all purely Imagination"
Duncombc asked, 'or have you any.
thing TO go onf"
$50 far as ! an concerned" Lord
Runton said slowly. II, Of course,
know nothing. but | have a strong idea
that the government has ut least q sus.
picion of some secret understanding
between Russia and Germany. Their
preparations seem almost to suggest il.
or course, We outsiders can only guess,
after all, at what is going Oh. but It
seems to me that there Is a chance to.
day for our government to achieve q
diplomatic coup"
an what direction?'
"An alliance with France. Mind, I
am afraid that there are insurmount-
able obstacles, but If II were possible
II would he checkmate to our friend
the emperor. and he would have moth.
ing left but to climb down. The trou.
bic is that in the absence Of any def.
mite proof Of an understanding be.
tween Russia and Germany, France
could not break away from her ALI.
ance with the former. Our present ar.
rangement would insure, l believe. q
benevolent neutrality, but an alliance.
If only 1t could be compassed, would be
the greatest diplomatic triumph Of our
days. Hello! Visitors at this hourl
Wasn't that your front door bell, Dun.
combef"
ut sounded like it," Duncombe an.
swcred. Perhaps it is your man"
Like his cheek. if it isl Lord Run.
ton answered, rising to his feet and
strolllng toward the sideboard. Il told
him l would telephone round to the
stables when I was ready. I suppose II
is rather late though. | shan't apollo
gizc for keeping you up"
II hope YOU won't" Duncombe an.
| swcred. II have never been more in.
tcrcsted in my life-for many reasons.
Don't bother about your man. Groves
will see to him"
There was a knock ut the door, and
the butler appeared.
There are three gentlemen outside,
sir, who wish to see YOU" he announc-
cd to Duncombe. "Thcy will not give
their names, but they say that their
business is important or they would
not have troubled you so late"
Duncombe glanced Mt the clock. 1t
was past midnight.
"Three gentlemen" he repeated, Eat
this time of night. But where IN earth
have they come from, GrOves?"
"Thcy did not say. sir" the man an
swercd. zone Of them / should judge
to he n foreigner. They have a motor
car outside"
Lord Runton held out his hand.
"Well, it's time | was off, anyhow"
he remarked. Come over and have
lunch tomorrow. Don't bother about
me. I'll stroll round to the stables and
start from there. Good night"
Duncombe hcsitatcd. He was on the
point of asking his friend to stay, but
before he could make up his mind
Runton had lit n cigarette and strolled
away.
"You can show the gentlemen IN
here. Groves" Duncombe said.
every good, sir"
The man disappeared. Duncombe
nfter a moments hesitation, crossed
the room and. opening an oak cup
board, slipped a small revolver into his
pocket.