The Sauk Centre herald., 1908-07-23

happenv'
Armitage laughed at the old gentle
mans earnest manner, asked If he
might smoke and lighted a cigarette.
waiting doesn't suit me- l thought
you understood that. I was not born
for the waiting list You see, have
strong hands, and my wits are-let us
say-averagew
Won Stroebel clasped his own hands
together more firmly and bent toward
Arm1lage searcnmg1y.
"Is it true"-he turned again and
glanced about-"is it positively true
that the Archduke Karl is deadY'
"Yes; quite true. There is absolutely
no doubt Of it," said Armitage, meet.
ing the old mans eyes steadily.
1.-THE report that he is still living
somewhere in North America is per-
sistent. We hear it frequently in vi
emma. I have heard it since you told
me that story and gave me those pa
pers in Paris last year."
81 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"
Eyes; l remember. There was moth
ing else he did so WE'LL" growled Won
StrOebel.
''And the packet gave you"-
The old man nodded.
"That packet contained the Arch
duke Karps sworn arraignment of his
wife. 1t is of great Importance in
deed to Francis, his worthless son, or
supposed son, who may present him
self for coronation one of these daysw
"Not with Karl appearing in all
parts of the world, never quite dead.
never quite alive, and his son, Fred
erick Augustus, lurking with him in
the shadows. Who knows whether
they are dead?"
81 am the only person on earth in a
position to make that clear" said
John Armitage.
"Then you should give me the docu-
ments.''
"No. I prefer to keep them. 1 as
sure you that have sworn proof Of
the death of the Archduke Karl and Of
his son, Frederick Augustus. Those
papers are in a box in the Bronx Loan
and Trust company in New York
city"
81 should have them! l must have
themv' thundered the old man.
"In due season, but not just now
In fact, l have regretted parting with
that document gave you in Paris. 1t
is safer in America than in Vienna
If you please, l 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 Armftage.
THAT packet is lost, l tell your he
blurted, as though it were something
that he had frequently explained be-
fore. 1T was stolen from under my
very nose only month ago! That's
what I'm here for. My agents are aft
er the thief, and I came to Geneva to
meet them, to find out why they have
not caught him. Do you imagine that
l travel for pleasure at my age, Mr..
John Armitage?
''The packet has been stolen?" OBJ
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 it offered"
''But his mother-she is the devilw
blurted the old man.
Pray drop that" said Armitage in
tone that caused the old man to look
at him with new scrutiny. II want
the paper back for the very reason that
it contains that awful Indictment of her.
have been uncomfortable ever since
l gave it to you, and l 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"
Il don't know Rambaud. The name
is unfamiliar"
"He has a dozen names-One for ev-
cry capital. He even operated in Wash
ington, 1 have heard. He's a blackmail
er who aims high-a broker in secrets,
a scandal peddler. He's bad lot, l 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 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 a pound Of tea. Francis and his
friends, Winkelried and Rambaud, are
not chasers of firef1ies, l would have
you know. If the archduke and his
son are dead, then few more deaths
and Francis would rule the empire.
Karl was genius; therefore he could
not be king. He threw away about
800 wears of work that had been done