Ottumwa tri-weekly courier., 1908-05-05

den, many diplomatic secret had
been whispered, and many an import
ant matter affecting the best interests
OF Servia had been decided Surely
the post of Belgrade was one of the
most difficult in the whole range of
British diplomacy abroad.
Just before Charlie rose to go Sir
Charles entered, a middleaged, merry
easy-going man, who greeted him
cheerily, saying:
OF seeing you here? Well-and how is
Mr.. Statham? When will he buy us all
up-eh?"
Charley briefly explained the nature
OF his mission to the Minister-Presi.
dent, and then, after a few minutes
chat, followed his host into the smaller
room for a cigarette and chat.
Presently Rolfe, lying back in an
easy chair, said
( DO you know, Sir Charles, very
curious thing has happened recently in
London!''
We'll, l see by the papers that lots
of curious things have happened" was
the diplomats reply, as he smiled upon
his visitor
Yes, yes; I know But this seri-
GUS matter. Doctor Petrovitch and his
daughter Maud have disappeared"
Sir Charles raised his eyebrows, and
was in moment serious.
Disappeared! There's nothing
about it in the papers,"
mo; 1t is being kept dark. The
police haven't been stirred up about It,
Cromwell Road, but both father,
daughter, and household furniture
disappeared"
How? In what manner did the fur
niture disappear?"
Briefly Rolfe explained, while Sir
Charles sat listening open-mouthed.
EXTRAORDINARY" he CALCULATED
when the younger man had concluded
What cean be the reason of It, Petro,
witch is an old and dear friend of
mine. why, | knew him years ago
when | was attache here. He often
wrote to me. The last letter had
was from London about four months
ago."
"And he's my friend also"
Yes; | know was the others re-
ply. 1T was whispered, Rolfe, that
you were in love with the pretty Maud
-eh-'
81 don't deny it,"
why should you, if you love her"
But she's appeared-without q
word.''
And you are in search of her?
Most natural. Well, I'll make in.
quiries and ascertain if she's been in
Belgrade. | don't believe she has, or
we should certainly have seen some.
thing of her My wife is very fond OF
her, you know"
Il fear there's been foul play?"
Rolfe remarked.
The minister shrugged his shoulders.
Its curious, to say the least isn't
it?" he observed
There, In confidence, Charlie told
the Minister of Marion's friendship
with Maud, Of the strange and myster-
ious confession On the night of the dis
appearance, and her steadfast refusal
to betray the girls secret.
Sir Charles paused and reflected.
Political intrigue is at the bottom
of this-depend upon it, Rolfe," he
said at last. "Petrovitch has enemies
here, INSCRIPTIONS enemies, who
would not hesitate to attempt his life.
They fear that If he returns to power
as the King has invited him, they will
find themselves prisoners in the fort
ress-and that means death, as you
know. When the Doctor acts, he acts
boldly for the benefit of his country
He would make a clean sweep of his
enemies once and for ALL
"Then YOU think they've anticinated
this, and killed him in secret?" cried
Rolfe.
"It is, I fear, quite possible" was
the diplomats reply.
What causes you to believe this q
II possess secret knowledge"
OF plot against him?"
He was fully aware of it himself
That is why he lived in England" the
Minister replied
But, surely, if he knew this, he