The Spokane press. [volume] (Spokane, Wash.) 1902-1939, 1909-09-09
CHAPTER vIu.-Continued,

CHAPTER VIu.-COntlnueQ.
MY own political career, Mr.. Dn-
caine," he said, has been a long
one, but have never before found
myself confronted with such a sit
uation. Even you can doubtless
realize It's effect. The whole good
of our work is undone. If we can
not recommence, and with different
results, am afraid, ss an English
man, to say what may happen. War
between England and France today
would be like great game of chess
between two masters of equal
strength--one having q secret
knowledge of his opponents each
ensuing move. You can guess what
the end of that would be. Our only
hope Is at once to reconstruct our
plans.
1--WE are hard at it now by day
and by night, but tho time has ar
rived when we can go no further
without meeting. and the actual
committal to paper and diagram of
our new schemes. We have dis
cussed the whole mater most care
fully. and we have come to the fol-
lowing decision. We have reduced
the number of the board by half,
those who have resigned, with GER,
tain exceptions, have done SO by
ballot. We have decided that in
stead of holding our meetings at
the war office they shall take place
down here at the dukes house, and
so far as possible secretly. Then,
as regards the secretaryship. No
shadow of suspicion rests upon
Lord Ronald any more than upon
his predecessors, but, as you may
have read in the newspapers, he
has temporarily lost his reason, ow-
ing to the shock, and has been
obliged to go to private home.
We have decided to engage some
one absolutely without political
connections, and whose detach-
ment from political life must be
complete You have had warm
advocate in Col. Mostyn Ray. and,
subject to some stringent and abso-
lutte conditions, l may say that we
nave decided to offer you the post.
Il am a complete stranger to all
of you," I murmured. Il am not
deserving in any way of such a 'po-
sition."
Lord Chelsford smiled.
You underrate yourself, young
man." he said dryly, cor your col
lege professors have wandered
from the truth. Still, your surprise
is natural, I admit. l will explain
a little further. Our choice is more
limited than you might think. At
least so names were proposed, all
of them of young men of the high
est character. Each one, however,
had some possible doubtful relative
or association or custom in
in life. 1t Is evident that
there is treachery somewhere In the
very highest quarters. These young
men were sure to be brought into
contact with it. Now 1t was Rays
idea to seek some one wholly out
side the diplomatic world, living in
spot remote from London, with as
few friends as possible, who would
have no sentimental objection to
the surveillance of detectives. You
appear to us to be suitable"
1T is a wonderful offer!" / ex-
claimed
In a sense 1t u.s." Lord Che,sford
continued. 1.-THE remuneration, of
course. will be high, but the post
itself may not be a permanency,
and you will live all the time at
high pressure. The duke will
place a small house at your dis
posal. and it will be required that
you form no new acQuaintances
without reference to him, nor must
you leave this place on any account
without permission. You will vir-
tually be prisoner, and IL certain
of my suspicious are correct you
may even find the post one Of great
physical danger. On the other hand,
YOU will have thousand a year
salary, and sum of 5000 pounds
in two years time IL ill Is WELL"
spoke calmly and decisively. Il
accept, Lord Chelsford," l said.
Very well. then" he replied.
my business here Is settled. /
shall leave it with the duke to ac-
quaint you with the practical de-
tails of your work"
He took leave of me briefly. The
duke leaned over the table, and
fixed his eyes upon me.
II am able now" he said, ito ask
you question postponed from the
other day. 1t is concerning ~the
man who was found dead In the
creek. have my suspicious about
this man. You can now under
stand my interest when l hear of
strangers in the neighborhood.
do not believe that he was a dere-
lict from the sea. Do your"
NO" I answered, Il know that
he was not"
His face became white and mask.
like.
go on" he said.
IT know that he came through
Braster, and he asked for me. He
looked in through the window of
my cottage when Col. Ray was with