The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1908-08-06

II am aware OF thai, replied iOh
Armitage, but ] told you the truth
He died in q 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 Non
Stroebel.
"And the packet gave YOU
The old man nodded
.'That packet contained the Arch
duke Kari's sworn arraignment OF his
wife. II is Of great Importance In.
deed TO Francis. his worthless son, OF
supposed son. who may present him
self for coronation one of these days!
"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 deadf"
II 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 / prefer to keep them as.
sure you that have sworn proof of
the death of the Archduke Karl and of
his son, Frederick Augustus. Those
papers are IN box In the Bronx Loan
and Trust company In New York
city"
II should have theml must have
them!' thundered the old man.
''In due season, but not just now.
In fact, l have regretted parting with
that document gave you In Paris. II
| is safer In America than In Vienna.
II you please, should like to have 1t
again, SIR"
The palsy In the old mans hands had
increased, and he stroye 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 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 came to Geneva to
meet them, to find out why they have
not caught him. DO you imagine that
| travel for pleasure at my age, Mr.
John Armitage?"
''The packet has been stolenW oh
served Armitage calmly. "Whom do
you suspect Of taking itY'
The old man leaned upon the table
heavily.
"That amiable Francis
'The suggestion Is not dlsmaying |
Francis would not know an opportuni- |
ty II 1t offered"
But his mother-she is the devir'
blurted the old man.
pray drop that" said Armltage In
at him with new scrutiny. Il want
the paper back for the very reason that
It contains that awful indictment of her
have been uncomfortable ever since
| gave 1t TO you, and ] came to ask
you for 1t that ! might keep It safe In
my own hands. But the document is
lost. Am to understand that Francis
has itl'
Not yet But Rambaud has 1t, and
Rambaud and Francis are as thick as
thieves"
II don't know Rambaud. The name
Is unfamiliar"
"He has q dozen names-one for ev
cry capital. He even operated In Wash
ington, i have heard. He's blackmail.
or who aims high-a broker In secrets,
q scandal peddler. He's bad lot, tell
you. I've had my best men after him.
and they've just been here TO report
another failure. IL you have nothing
better to do" began the old man.
"Yes. that packet must be recover.
ed" answered Armitage III your
agents have failed at the job II may be
worth my while to look for IT,"
His quiet acceptance OF the situation ,
irrltated the minister.
you entertain me, John Armltage.
You speak Of that packet as though 1t
were pound OF tea. Francis and his ,
friends, Winkelried and Rambaud, are \
not chasers Of frenIes. | would have I
you know. II the archduke and his !
son are dead, then few more deaths
Ind Francis would rule the empire. I
Kari was a genius; therefore he could I
lot be king. He threw away about
100 years OF work that had been done
or him by other people, and he ca I
oiled you into sharing bis exile. You =
hrew away your life for him. Bah!
But you seem sane enough!"
The prime minister concluded with !
lis rough bur, and Armitage laughed l
,utrlght.
"Why the devil don't you go to VI !
nna and set yourself up like gentle 0
nanT demanded the premier. J
Like gentleman" repeated Arrni- D
age. "It is too late. | should die in Q
Jenna IN a week Moreover, | am =
lead, and II IL well when one has at U
aimed that bcati1c advantage TO stay
lead"
Francis is a troublesome black
'uard." declared the old man. Il wish !
0 God be would form the dying habit, U
o that might have a few years IN
'caee. but be is forever turning up In Y
ONE mischief. And what can you DO J
bout IN Can we Kick him out of the a
rmy without scaBdali Don't you
uppose be could 20 70 Budapest 20. 2
morrow and make things interesting y
or us I, he pleasedf He's as full Of :
reason as he can stick. ! tell you"
Artniisge nodded and smiled.
Il dare say" be said 10 English, and
Fhen the old statesman glared al him
q said In German. NO doub, you are 7
Ieakfng the truth"
"of course ! speak the truth, but y
bis IL a matter for action and not for y
iscnssion Thai packet was stolen b. I
ltention and not by chance. John Ar .
litaeeg"