Waterbury evening Democrat., 1908-10-15


 T should have them! I must have
 them" thundered the old man.
 Tn due season, but not just now
 In fact, I have regretted parting with that document I gave you in Paris. Il is safer in America than in Vienna
 If you please, should like to have it again, sir" ...
 The palsy in the old mans hands had increased, and he strove to,control his agitation, but fear had never been reckoned among his weaknesses, and he turned stormily upon Armitage.
 That packet is lost, tell your he blurted, as though 1t were something that he had frequently explained be- fore. Tt was stolen from under my very nose only month ago! That's what I'm here for. My agents are aft CT the thief, and I came to Geneva to meet them, to find out why they have not caught him. Do you imagine that I travel for pleasure at my age, MT. John Armitage?
 'The packet has been stolenT ob- served Armitage calmly. Whom do you suspect of taking it?' -
 The old man leaned upon the table heavily. ."..
 "That amiable Francis"-
 "The suggestion is not dismaying. Francis would not know an opportuni- ty if 1t offered"
 "But his mother-she Is the deyilw blurted the old man.
 "Pray drop that" said Armitage in a tone that caused the old man to look at him with a new scrutiny. T want the paper back for the very reason that it contains that awful indictment of her. I have been uncomfortable ever since l gave 1t to you, and I came to ask you for it that might keep it safe in my own hands. But the document is lost. Am to understand that Francis has it?"
 Not yet. But Rambaud has it, and Rambaud and Francis are as thick as thieves" @1"
 T don't know Rambaud. The name is unfamiliar" @.l
 "He has dozen nameS-one for ev- cry capital. He even operated in Wash lngton. have heard. He's blackmail- er who aims high-a broker in secrets, 3 scandal peddler. He's bad lot. I 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 ed," answered Armitage. 'If your agents have failed at the job 1t may be worth my while to look for 1t"
 His quiet acceptance of the situation lrritated the minister.
 You entertain me, John Armitage. Your speak of that packet as though it were pound of tea. Francis and his friends. Winkelried and Rambaud, are not chasers of flrefies. would have you know. If the archduke and his ,on are dead. then a few more deaths and Francis would rule tke eLlpire. Karl was genius; therefore he could not be king. He threw away about 300 years of work that had been done for him by other people, and he ca- Ioled you into sharing his exile. You threw away your life for him. Bah! But you seem sane enough"
 The prime minister concluded with lis rough bur, and Armitage laughed 
 "Why the devil don't you go to VI .nna and set yourself up like a gentle nan?" demanded the premier.
 Like a gentleman" repeated Armi- age. Tt is too late. l should die in Vienna in a week. Moreover, 1 am lead, and it is well when one has at aimed that beatific advantage to stay lead"
 Francis is a troublesome black ;uard." declared the old man. 'T wish 0 God he would form the dying habit, 70 that I might have a few years in 'eace, but he is forever turning up in ome mischief. And what can you do bout it? Can we kick him out of the rmy without scandal? Don't you uppose he could go to Budapest to- morrow and make things interesting | or us if he pleased? He's as full of | reason as he can stick. tell you"
 Armitage nodded and smiled.
 T dare say" he said in English. and | when the old statesman glared at him le said in German, No doubt you are peaking the truth"
 "Of course I speak the truth, but his is matter for action and not for iscussion. That packet was stolen by intention and not by chance. John Ar nitage"
 There was slight imnaterial sound | D the hall. and the old prime minister tipped from German to French with ut changing countenance as be con- Inued:
 "We have enough troubles in Austria without encouraging treason. If Ram aud and his chief. Winkelried, could 1ake king of Francis. the brokerage the commission-would be something andsome, and Winkelried and Ram aud are clever men"
 "I know of Winkelried. The conti- ental press has given much space to i'm of late. but Rambaud is a new anne"
 "He Is a skilled hand. He is the lost daring scoundrel in Europe"
 Count von Stroebel poured glass of randy from a silver flask and slipped slowly.
 q will show you the gentieman's