The Washington herald., 1908-04-05
CHAPTER XII.
Gives a CIew.

as he decently could. he called at the
British Legation. the big white mansion
in The center Of the town. Both SiI
Charles Harrison, the minister, and his
charming wife were well known to him.
Tor more than once he had been invited
20 dine on previous visits 10 Belgrade.
The minister was out, but Lady Har-
rlson received him in the big drawing
room on the first floor. a handsome
apartment filled with exquisite japanese
furniture and brIe-a-brac, for. prior 10
his appointment to Belgrade, the minis
ter had been secretary Of the British
embassy in Tokyo.
The first greetings over Charlie ex-
planned the object of his call. Where
upon the minister's wife replied:
Il think Mr.. Pashitch is mistaken. Mr.
Rolfe. I haven't seen Maud Petrovitch
for quite a year. She was on a visit 10
her aunt. Nine. Constantinovitch, about
a year ago. and used TO come here very
often"
Charles hopes fell again.
Perhaps the minister president has
made a mistake. It may have been at
some other house Nine Pashiteh met the
doctors daughter" he said
well, If she were in Belgrade she sure
ly would come 10 see me All her friends
come 10 me on Thursdays, as you know, a."
replied the minister's wife. as the man
brought in tea-with lemon-in the Rus
sian style.
He glanced around the handsome room.
and recOllected the brilliant receptions
at which he had been present. The Brit
ish legation was one OF the finest man
sions in Belgrade, and Sir Charles gave
weekly dinners to the diplomatic corps
and his personal friends. He and his wife
entertained largely. and kept up the pres
tige Of Great Britain amid that seething
world of intrigue. political conspiracy,
and general unrest.
In the small room of the drawing-room,
which was Sir Charles private den,
many a diplomatic secret had been whis-
pered. and many an important matter af-
fecting the best interests of SeTvia had
been decided. Surely the post of Bel
grade was one of theimost difficult in the
whole range of British diplomacy abroad.
Just before Charlie rose TO go Sir
Charles entered, a middle-aged, merry,
easy-going man, who greeted him cheer
ily, saying:
"Hullo, Rolfe, Who'd have thought of
seeing you here? Well-and how is Mr..
Statham2 When will he buy us all
up-eh?'
Charlie briefly explained the nature of
his mission to the minIster-president, and
then, after a few minutes chat. followed
his host into the smaller room for a Gig
arctic and chat.
Presently Rolfe, lying back in an easy
chair. said;
DO YOU know. Sir Charles. a very
curious thing has happened recently in
LOndOn?'
"Wen 7 see by the papers that lots OF
curious things have happened was the
diplomats reply, as he smiled upon his
. visitor
\ Yes, yes; 1 know. But this is a seri-
$Ous matter Dr. Petrovitch and his
daughter Maud have disappeared -
Sir Charles raised his eyebrows, and
was in a moment serious
Disappeared! There's been nothing
about it in the papers"
NO; it is being kept dark The police
haven't been stirred up about it, It was
only a sudden removal from Cromwell
road. but father. daughter, and household
furniture have disappeared.
HOVE in what manner did the furni-
ture disappear
Briefly Rolfe explained, while Sir
Charles sat listening open-m0uthed.
Extraordinary he calculated, when
the younger man had concluded. What
can be the reason Of if. Petrovitch is an
old and dear friend Of mine. Why. I
knew him years ago. when I was attaehe
here. He often wrote TO me. The last
letter I had was from London about four
months ago"
And he's my friend Also
Yes, ] know. was the others reply
1T was whispered. Rolfe, that YOU were
in love with the pretty Maud-eh?''
7 don't deny iI,''
why should you. if you love herr"
But she's sappeared-without a
word"
And you are in search Of herr" Most
natural Well, I'll make Inquiries and
ascertain If she's been in Belgrade. I
don't believe she has. or we should GER
tainly have seen something 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.
It's curious, 10 say the least, isn't
it2" he observed.
There in confidence, Charlie told the
minister Of Marion's friendship with
y Maud. Of the strange and mysterious
confession on the night of the disappear
ance, and her steadfast refusal to betray
the girls secret.
Sir Charles paused and reflected
Political intrigue is at the bottom of
this-depend upon Il, Rolfe' he said at
last. "Petrovitch has enemies here. un-
scTupulous enemies, who would not hesi-
tate TO attempt his life. They fear that
il he returns 10 power as the King has
invited him, they viii find themselves
prisoners in the eOrtress-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 anticipated
this and killed him IN secret?" cried
Rolfe
1t is, I fear. quite possible was the
diplomats reply.
What causes you to believe this?"
7 possess secret knowledge.
''Of a plot against him?"
He was fully aware of It himself
That is why he lived in England" the
minister replied.
But surely, II ne knew this, he might
have taken steps for his self-protectionr 80
RoIfe exclaimed. THE fact that his
furniture was spirited away to some I'M
known place makes 1t almost appear as
though he was in accord with the con-
spiTatOrs."
NO; I think not The conspiratOrs re-
moved his furniture in order to prevent
undue inquiries as 10 the doctors disap-
pearanee. The emptying Of the house
may have been done to make it appear
TO the police that the doctor had sud
denly removed-perhaps to avoid his
creditors"
Rolfe shook his head. His opinion hard
~ coincided with that Of the British dip
lomat Besides. Max Barclays story of
having seen a man there closely resem-