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

devoted yourself to the affairs of gov
eminent. | have read-only today in
The Contemporary Revicw-an admira-
BILE tribute to your sagAcity in han
ding the Servian affair Your work
yas mastery. | followed it froR the
beginning with deepest interest"
The old gentleman bowed half I'M
consciously. for his thoughts were far
away, as the vague stare in his small,
shrewd eyes indicated.
But you are here for rest One
comes to Geneva at this season for
nothing else
what brings you here?" asked the
Did man. with sudden energy. IF the
papers you gave me in Paris are for
geries and you are waiting
Eyes. Assuming that. what should l
be waiting for?"
IF you are waiting for eventS-for
events-if you expect something to
happenw
Armitage laughed at the old gentle
pans earnest manner. asked if he
might smoke and lighted a cigarette.
waiting doesn't suit me. | thought
you understood that. | was not born
for the waiting list. You see, I have
strong hands, and my wits are-let us
Bay-average!'
Won Stroebel clasped his own hands
together more firmly and bent toward
Armitage searchingly.
as it true'-he turned again and
glanced about-"is it positively true
that the Archduke Karl is dead?"
Yes; quite true. There is absolutely
no doubt of it," said Armitage. meet
ing the old mans eyes steadily.
The report that he is still living
somewhere in North America is per-
sistent. We hear it frequently in vi
emma. l have heard it since you told
me that story and gave me those pa
pers in Paris last year"
Il am aware of that" replied John
Armitage, but / told you the truth.
He died in a Canadian lumber camp.
We were in the north hunting. You
may recall that he was fond of that
sort of thing"
Yes; | remember. There was moth
ing else he did so WELL" growled Won
Stroebel.
And the packet | gave YOU
The old man nodded.
THAT packet contained the Arch
duke Karl's sworn arraignment of his
wife. 1t is of great Importance in
deed to Francis, his worthless son, oil
supposed son, who may present him
self for coronation one of these days.
Not with Karl appearing in al
parts of the world, never quite dead
never quite alive, and his son, Fred
erick Augustus, lurking with him il
the shadows. Who knows whether
they are dead?"
Il am the only person on earth in 4
position to make that clear" SAID
John Armitage.
"Then you should give me the docu
ments."
mo. l prefer to keep them. I as
sure you that | have sworn proof OF
the death of the Archduke Karl and OF
, his son, Frederick Augustus. Thos,
papers are in box in the Bronx Loan
! and Trust company in New Yorl
city"
~ should have theml / must have
them" Numbered the old man.
, "In due season, but not just now
, In fact, l have regretted parting witt
[ that document l gave you in Paris. Il
is safer In America than in Vienna
If you please, should like to have i
again, sir"
t The palsy In the old mans hands ha6
increased, and he strove to control his
, agitation, but fear had never beer
reckon ii amGg his weaknesses, and
he turned stormily upon Armitage.
: THAT packet is lost, l tell your he
blurted, as though it were something
5 that he had frequently explained be
fore. 1T was stolen from under my
= very nose only month ago. That's
5 what I'm here for. My agents are aft
er the thief, and l came to Geneva tC
: meet them, to find out why they have
not caught him. DO you imagine thai
l travel for pleasure at my age, MIR
l John ArmitageY
/. THE packet has been stolen?" OBJ
e served Armitage calmly. "Whom dc
you suspect of taking it?"
| The old man leaned upon the table
2 heavily.
| THAT amiable Francis
| THE suggestion is not dismaying
Francis would not know an opportuni
= ty If it offered"
But his mother-she is the devil!
e blurted the old man.
pray drop that" said Armitage il
a tone that caused the old man to leol
D at him with new scrutiny Il wan
the paper back for the very reason tina
s ii contains that awful indictment of her
l have been uncomfortable ever since