The San Francisco call., 1907-03-03
VAS YOUR FRIEND A MURDERER :''

I believe that even IL you are right,
even II those papers were disturbed,
il was done simply 10 throw dust in
your eyes. Do YOU follow me?"
Yes, your Grace" ! answered.
Lord cheisford. If you were able TO
convince him. would most certainly be
misled in this direction. That is why
have kept your report TO myself. That
is why my advice TO YOU now is to
say nothing about your imagined dis
placement OF those papers. That is my
advice. You understand
Yes. your Grace" 7 repeated.
with regard TO the Prince of Ma
lors." the Duke continued, "my firm
conviction is that you were mistaken.
Majors is not politician. He has moth
ing whatever to gain or lose in this
most ancient houses of Europe. house
which for generations has bcen closely
connected with my own ] absolutely
decline to believe that while under
my roof Majors could lower himself
to the level OF a common spy. Such an
accusation brought against him would
be regarded as blot upon my hospi-
tality. Further. il would mean the
breaking of OF my ancient ties of
friendship. ] am very anxious, there
fore. that you should bring yourself
to accept my view as to this episode
also"
your Grace" l answered. you ask
me very hard things"
He looked ct me with his clear, cold
eyes
Surely not too hard, Mr.. Ducaine. .
he said. II ask you to accept my judg-
meEt. Consider for a moment. You
are a young man, little more than q
boy. for forty years have been a
servant OF my country. both in the
field and as a iawmaker. ! am a Cabi-
net Minister. ] have a lifelong ex-
perience OF men and their ways. My
Judgment in this matter is that you
were mistaken, and much mischief is
likely to ensue II the Prince of Majors
picion among u.s."
''Your Grace" said, forgive me, but
why do you not say these things to the
board. or TO Lord Chelsford and Colonel
Ray after they have heard my story?"
Because" the Duke answered, "I
have no confidence in the judgment of
either Of them. Both in their way are
excellent men, but they are of this
new generation, who do not probe be-
meath the surface. who form their opln-
ions only from the obvious. 1t IS pos
siblc that after hearing your story they
mignt consider the problem solved.
am, at any rate, convinced that they
would commence search for it's solu-
tion In altogether wrong quarters
Your Grace" I said firmly, 1T am
very sorry. indeed. that ! cannot take
your advice. I think 1t most important
that Lord CheIsford should know that
those papers were tampered with. And
regards the Prince of Majors. what
ever his motive may have been, / dis
covered him in the act OF perusing the
documents relating TO the subway OF
Portsmouth. I cannot possibly with
hold my knowledge OF these things
from Lord Ehelsford. In fact. think
it Is most important that he should
know OF them"
The Duke rose slowly to his feet. He
showed no sign OF anger.
IF you prefer your own Judgment
to mine. Mr.. Ducaine.' he said, IL have
no more TO say. have taken you into
my confidenee. and ! have endeavored
TO show you your most polite course
OF behavior. IL your views are so far
opposed, YOU must not consider it an in
Justice IL decide that a person OF
more Judgment Is required successfully
to conduct the duties OF secretary TO
the Council
81 can only thank your Grace for
your past kindness" / answered, with
sinking heart.
He looked across al me with still cold
eyes
'Do not misunderstand me-" he said.
"I do not dismiss you. I shall leave
that TO the board. If my colleagues
are favorably disposed toward You |
shall not interfere. Only SO far as am
concerned you must take your chance
"I quite understand your Grace"
declared. sT think that you are treat
ing me very fairly"
The Duke leaned back in his chair.
Here they cou,e:" he remarked.