Evening star., 1907-09-01
CHAPTER II.
Lisa Listens.

Some one turned up the light. "I'r leave
you together" said Lord Mountstuart. and
the door was closed.
What could that mean?' wondered. I
had supposed the two men had come in
alone. but there must have been third
person. Who could 1t be? Had Lord
Mountstuart been arranging a tete tete
between Di and Ivor Dundas?
The thought was like a hand on my
throat. choking my life out. 1 must hear
what they had to say to each other.
Without stopping to think more, I rolled
over and let myself sink down into the mar
row space between the low couch and the
wall, sharply pulling the clinging folds OF
my chiffon dress after me. Then 1 lay
still. my blood pounding in my temples and
ears, and in my nostris a faint, musky
smell from the oriental stuff that covered
the lounge.
cept the side Of the couch, the wall and a
bit Of the ceiling with the gargoyly cornice
which Di had mentioned when she wanted
to seem Indifferent to the subject of our
conversation. But l was listening with all
my might for what was to come
Better lock the door. if you please. Dun
das," said a voice which gave me q shock
of surprise. though knew 1t well.
Instead OF Di 1t was the foreign secretary
who spoke.
I'VE won't run the risk Of Interruptions, !"
he went on, with that slow, clear enuncia-
ton Of his. which most Oxford men have
and keep all their lives, especially men of
the college that was his-Balliol. Il told
Mountstuart that l wanted private chat
with you. Beyond that he knows nothing,
nor does any one else except myself. You
understand that this conversation Of ours.
whether anything comes of 1t or not, is
entirely confidential 1 have a proposal to
| make You'll agree to it or not, as you
choose. But If you don't agree, forget it..
NIT T
My services and my memory are both at
your disposal" answered Ivor, in such a
gay. happy voice that something told me
he had already talked with Diana-and that
in spite of me she had not snubbed him.
II am honored-I won't say fattered, for
I'm too much in earnest-that you should
place any confidence in me-
lay there behind the lounge and sneered
at this speech Of his. OF course, 1 said to
myself. he would be ready to do anything
to please the foreign secretary, since all the
big plums his ambition craved were in the
gift of that man.
Frankly, I'm in a difficulty and It has
occurred to me that you can help me out
of 1t better than any one else I know"
said the smooth. trained voice. 1T is a lit
tie diplomatic errand you will have to un-
do me good turn"
Il will undertake 1t with great pleasure
and carry 1t through to the best OF my
ability" replied Ivor.
cellently," said the foreign secretary, still
rencing. 1T will be good practice IL you
succeed. for-any future duties in the
career which may be opening to you"
Hes bribing him with that consulship." I"
l thought, beginning to be very curious in
deed as to what l might be going to hear
Ny heart wasn't beating thickly now
I could think almost calmly again
Il thank you for your trust in me-" said
Ivor
"A little diplomatic errand," repeated
the foreign secretary. I'm itself the thing
Is not much: that is, on the face of it. And
yet, in its relation with other interests 1t
becomes mission of vast Importance, in
calculable Importance. When l have ex-
planned you will see why I apply to you.
Indeed. came to my cousin Mountstuart' g
house expressly because was told you
would be at his wifes ball. My regret Is
that the news which brought me in search
or you didn't reach me earlier, for If it
had l should have come with my wife,
and have got at You in time to send you
on-if You agreed to goodnight. AS 1t is
the matter will have to rest till tomorrow
he Its too late for you to catch
Across the channel?" echoed Ivor You
want me to go to France?" ---------
Yes
said Ivor thoughtfully III there were q
great hurry"
There is-the greatest. But in this case
the more haste the less speed. That Is, II
you were to rush off. order special train
and charter tug or motor boat at Dover,
as l suppose you mean, my object would
probably be defeated 1 came to you be-
cause those who are watching this business
wouldn't be likely to guess 1 had given you
| hand in it. All that you do, however,
must be done quietly, with no fuss, no sign
of anything unusual going 1t was
| natural l should come to ball given by my
wife's sister. whose husband Is my cousin
No one knows of this interview of ours; I
believe 1 may make nay mind easy on that
score at least. And it Is equally natural
that you should start on business or pleas-
ure Of your own for Paris tomorrow morn