Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1909-09-03


At 20 AIlston was sim an underpaid drudge
In the foreign office in London. When, there
fore. Lord Northumberland, the secretary for
foreign affairs, summoned him 70 his private
cigar and some whisky. Aflston was in a whif1
Of excitement.
Austen began Lord Northumberland, II
have sent for you at the command Of his mai
esty himself. who desired me to mention 20
him the name Of someone in whom he eould
place implicit confidence
II Lord Northumberland eye twiukled eiighf-
~, Allston was far too delirious to notice II.
He waits man to take the draft OF a doca-
rid" continued the foreign secretary. 81 warn
you that emissartes OF foreign power VIII try
to intercept you and steal IT. Never sleep,
speak TO no one. and do not let Il leave your
person for single moment" He handed ALI
ston flat leather case.
Six hours later Allston Was on the way to
As the train was Leaving Charing Gross .
man flung open the door suddenly and burst
into Allston's compartment, where he sat down
painting. They were alone IN the compartment.
Allston. mindful Of his charge. replied tc the
strangers remarks IN monosyIlables. He also
shifted his seat until he was directly beneath
the bell null which was used Tor suu1mouine
the guard In eases of emergency. The comfort
able sensation Of a loaded revolver snugly re-
posing in his coat pocket allayed all fear.
Crossing the channel. Allston shocked ~
the discovery of the stranger among the steer
age passengers. The man saw that he was
gripped his precious case tightly and PAGES
the deck hat night until the boat came into
Calais harlHor At dawn
And twice, emerging ct a wayside station for
food. Allston perceived the stranger watching
bin furtively from his carriage.
II a long to Madrid and Allstoa-s
compartment was empty. When he returned for
the second time he called the guard. slipped a
gold piece into his hand and babe him lock
the doors. This done. be wrapped himself In his
rug and lay down to sleep.
And suddenly, from his place Of soncealment
IN the darkness. Aiiston awoEe to feel The
cold muzzle Of revolver against his forehead,
while one hand cluiched at his throat and the
other felt for the case. The spy feund II and
drew # forth exultantly.
Next time you lock the stable door. lock
under the seat for the horse thief Pc SAID s
easy Sir. Allston-yes. 7 knew your name the
moment you left the foreign offiee-but I've
man. It's Of the first Importance 10 my ecun-
try and can't afford TO be unsuccessful. But
don't want you TO lose your job" he went
which he extracted the envelope. ''l'n make
bargain With you. First. by the way. III take
your revolver. Thanks Now III copy the
contents and gise /; hack 10 you. You can seal
Il up so that IL WIFI look as II 1t had not been
tempered With have a machine for that-and
nobody win know that it has been seen
still Keeping AllsIon covered with his re-
volver the spy struck match and lit the oil
lsmp in the roof Of the compartment. Then,
taking from his poker 8 slender knife. be
Of fire appeared; instant later the hot steel
had scared its way through under part OF the
seal and the envelope flew Open The spy en-
tracted the document.
glance Of intense astonishment, hasty
perussI and the document nuftered 70 the
ground. Then suddenly the spy burst into up
roarious laughter.
.I.ook-iook' lie gasped.. the tears Of merri-
ment streaming down his cheeks Look before
seal ii for you again And he rolled help
lessly upon the seat.
AIistcn took M the paper and read:
pear VIII: 7 lay you a wager OF 900 marks
yo.,r rleverest agent can't get this from the
biggest fool in my service before be reaches
Madrid