The San Francisco call., 1907-02-17
1copvrlrht.

4 ~
Cd long Oshciai-iooiSins en-
velope containing the imprint Of
the State Department. II was
not unusual for him 10 recefvs corre-
Spondence from the seat or government,
but this was the first time he had been
bonored with a coEnrnunicatioa direct
from the Cabinet oescer who controls
e The foreign relations ot The nation. He
-sore open fhe letter quickly ard read Il
from beginning 20 end with svidity. It
was long and important and held sew
orsl Enclosures. The revelations were
unusual enough 20 make even such a
Sessoned veteran blink with astonish-
ment. He read the letter very carefully
n second time and ss he concluded
glanced at the big calendar on the wall
beside his desk.
Clancy. we've got TO be sn Fail River
before o'clock tomorrow night"
= The young man. accustomed TO a16-
den calls. szluteo and said:
All right, sir; I'll go hene, pack my
grip and meet you in an hour"
Being expeditions. they made their
connections AID were fn Fail River al
hour before the appointed time. As
they lounged up 60 the wharf watching
the boat get up steam preparatory 60
us all night trip 60 New York the chief
turned to his assistant with his most
odicial manner:
We are here 20 identify and shadow
= man and 5 woman The man Is short
snd thick set, with q smooth face and a
swarthy complexion lie carries little
ebony music box, which bss a iid dsco-
rated with a royal crown. The woman
IS tall thin and angular. with sharp
features and has q big Maltese cat,
which is her inseparable compsnion."
That's = bully description" ex-
claimed Clancy. enthusiasm getting the
better of respectful demeanor. A fell
low would have 20 be nearsighted 70
miss a couple like that"
While they were talking 4 stranger
came along the pier, warblinE a French
song. The watchers were afi attention
The newcomer tailed with the descrsp-
itiOn given by the chief inspector
Around him hung the heavy aroma cs
musk. In his right hand he carried an
ebony music box, with a gilt crown or
its I'D. He walked on 10 the boat and
poking his head into the window OF the
purser's room. handed IN 2 check and in
return received the key of 3 reserved
stateroom. he marched away singing
blithely.
Barnes rushed Up TO the little cubby
hole.
Count VelaEouez," replied the purue1
before he had time 70 consider the pre-
priety Of the question.
The chief returned 90 his assistant,
satisfied.
IT'S our man, all right" hs sst6.
Hes travelling under ths name OF
P spanish nobIernan. We mustn't loss
sight OF him"
"Why?" asked Clancr. with q fun
knowledge OF the fact that he had no
right 70 ask questions.
You'll know before we reach New
York In the meantime, don't be sur
priseo az my actions And for the love
Of heaven watch this Count 20 see the
effect Of what do or say TO him"
i suppose" ventured Clancy, with
what was intended 70 be witherirg ssr-
~cssm, that IL wouldn't be q bad idea 70
get acquainted with him."
You must get acquainted With him -
came like a shot.
The two men procured q stRteroonn,
merely as 2 matter OF form, because
neither had any intention OF sleeping
that night Presently the Counts wife
with her Maltese cat came aboard and
was ushered TO her room. The Count
himself strciled about the boat, leaving
clouds OF cigarette smoke in his wake.
Everywhere he went he carried the
-1lLLl6 eDQnV music Box with him.
Clancy, who was naturally Of a socis Bile
disposition, soon managed TO get into
conversation with the titled foreigner.
In ten minutes they were chatting away
like lifelong friends. The Count noticed
that Clancy was looking ar the box he
carried and he remarked in a nonchal-
ant manner, with shrug OF the shoul-
ders:
"Ah. my music box I adore music.
and SO carry this little instrument
with ne everywhere.
Clancy, with glittering eyes, re-
piled:
I'm with you there. Count: I love
music too. Give us a tune"
The Count was disconnected; but he
recovered quickly.
Il have not the key" lie said, shruz-
ging his shoulders. Then as an after
thought, ''the instrument is out OF or
der. and must not touch it until IL is
fully repaired"
Presently Clancy contrived 60 intro
.duce Barnes. The Count, who was To-
Quacious, was delighted TO meet such
an amiable person. He said he was
travelling for his health, and Barnes
much TO his amusement, said he was
travelling for the health OF the COM
nunity.
At this stage OF the game Clancy
noticed that the chief carried a pack
age under his right arm. He was
ABOUT 70 ask MIN WhSf that meant
when Barnes whispered huskily:
The minute the Count lays down
s his music box, grab IL and put Il in
our room"
The opportunity came, almost irane-
diatclY. They were az the cigar stand.
The Count laid down his box ia order
10 pay for a box OF cighrettes Barnes
simultaneously attracted his attention
10 something on the other side OF the
boat. Clancy stopped, picked I'D the
box and darted or fn the direction Of
his cabin. At the same instant barnes
whisked the wrapper OF the package
under his arm and deposited a box on
the floor IN place OF the stolen one.
it was identical with the FIRST one In
every detail. and when the Count had
pocketed his change and lighted hts
cigarette he picked up the substituted
box and, with a sigh OF satisfaction.
plscidly walked away.
Tho Count was q compa nfonable
man. After the boat had left Fall
River and started on fts ali night run
10 New York he invited Barnes and