Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1908-09-18

| gave 1t to you, and ! came to ask
you for it that might keep it safe in
my own hands. But the document is
lost. Am l to understand that Francis
has ltr'
mot yet But Rambaud has it, and
Rambaud and Francis are as thick as
thieves"
81 don't know Rambaud. The name
is unfamiliar"
"He has u dozen names-one for ev-
cry capital. He even operated in Wash
lngton. have heard. He's backmail-
ri who aims high-a broker in secrets,
scandal pejldler. He's bad lot, | tell
you. I've had my best men after him,
and they've just been here to report
another failure. If you have nothing
better to do began the old man.
Yes. that packet must be recover
cd" answered Armitage. IF your
tgents have failed at the job it may be
worth my while to look for it."
His quiet acceptance of the situation
irritated the minister
You entertain me- John Armitage.
You speak of that packet as though it
were pound of tea. Francis and his
friends, Winkelried and Rambaud, are
not chasers of firefies, | would have
you know. If the archduke and his
son are dead. then a few more deaths
and Francis would rule the empire.
Karl was a genius; therefore he could
not be king. He threw away about
Of I,ot ho1
for him by other people, and he ca
jOled you into sharing his exile. You
threw away your life for him. Bah!
But you seem sane enough"
The prime minister concluded with
his rough bur. and Armitage laughed
outright.
"Why the devil don't you go to vi
emma and set yourself up like gentle
MANI" demanded the premier
Like Il gentlemanf" repeated Armi-
| tage. 1T is too late. l should die in
| Vienna in week. Moreover, l am
dead. and it is we'll when one has at
tanned that beatific advantage to stay
dead"
Francis is a troublesome black
guard" declared the old man. 81 wish
to God he would form the dying habit
so that | might have a few years IL
peace, but he is forever turning up il
some mischief. And what can you dc
about it? Can we kick him out of the
army without scandal? Don't you
suppose he could go to Budapest to
morrow and make things interesting
for us if he pleased? He's as full OF
treason as he can stick. | tell you"
Armitage nodded and smiled.
81 dare say" he said in English, ant
when the old statesman glared at hin
he said in German, mo doubt you are
speaking the truth"
"Of course | speak the truth, bu
this is a matter for action and not TO
discussion. That packet was stolen b,
intention and not by chance. John Ar
mitage!'
There was a slight immaterial sount
In the hall. and the old prime ministe
slipped from German to French with
out changing countenance as he con
tinued:
I'VE have enough troubles in Austri;
without encouraging treason. If Ram
baud and his chief Winkelried, coul'
make a king of Francis. the brokerag
the commission-would be something
handsome, and Winkelried and Ram
baud are clever men,"
IT know of Winkelried. The cont
mental press has given much space t
him of late, but Rambaud is a new
name"
HE is skilled hand. He is tn
most daring scoundrel in Europe"
Count Won Stroebel poured glass o
brandy from a silver flask and sippe'
it slowly.
81 will show you the gentleman
pleasant countenance," said the minis
ter, and he threw open a leather port
folio and drew from it a small photo
graph, which he extended to Armtagt
who glanced at it carelessly and the
with sudden interest.
"Rambaud" he exclaimed.
That's his name in Vienna. |
Paris he is something else | will fun
nish you a list of his mons de guerre.
Thank YOU | should like all tn
information You care to give me. Blu
it may amuse you to know that
have seen the gentleman before"
THAT is possible remarked tn
old man. who never evinced surpris
in any circumstances.
Il expect to see him here within
few days
Count Won Stroebel held up his emf
ty glass and studied it attentivel