The San Francisco call., 1909-05-30
A True Document of Wonderful Human Interest


| had not soul to speak to but the serving woman
Happily, l was ignorant I knew nothing but the
niche | accustomed to occupy, so | had no fret-
ting soul to darken my days did chafe bit at the
constant confinement, and, as began to show it IN
my looks, Lutreau struck upon the plan of having
visiting governess A sturdy frauein engaged.
In the mornings studied German and drawing and
in the afternoons took long walks rides top
OF the bus, and felt like happy boy Those were
very good days Fraulein phlegmatic to
paling degree, but she to talk to- even
if was forced to stumble over the gutturals.
There began to be many letters, written in what
supposed to be Polish. for to sign. Luttrcau
would sometimes bring in two three at time with
either written Photographic copy Of the signature
to be forged He was nightly engrossed, and I
knew that some big job brewing.
had never helped him outside job, and
when night he informed me of a line of work
that | was to take up | must confess that was
scared. was to go as "A page to the Russian
sembassy.
can tell you very clearly what the job in ITS
entirety was whether not OF international
importance. Lutreau never vouchsafed any why's
wherefores l was only an integral part of his
schemes and from his point of view it not
sary for to know anything but the part was to
play. All that he told me that was go to tSs
embassy next day; was ostensbly, to know but one
language and was to perform the duties of pag9
open for every bit of French conversation; must
memorize it and make notes of it.
The important thing to gain entrance to a
certain Lutreau gave explicit directions
to its location and On a large table 1
would find charts; among them three blue ones
interlined with red, which endeavor to make
miniature copies of in the rough In a secret drawer
of a cabinet in the (Lutreau gave diagram
of the cabinet and key which he said would unlock
IT'D bundle of letters tied together and fastened
with large black seal
Had it occurred to me to object to such trcmcn-
dous undertaking Lutreaus matter OF fact
OF giving me my orders would have precluded any
such rebellion Pn my part But it was very fright
ened small boy who went to the embassy next day
in company with a smooth faced young Russian who
met us in Trafalgar square.
This part OF my story may sound rather melodra-
matte, but crooks, especially the educated class do
go in for that of thing. They lay out their
plans carefully who is following the
ordinary business pursuits; it is all business them
and they work accordingly. The lay OF this job was
fairly safe and undoubtedly clever. There were two
the young Russian, who an under secretary,
and his pal, older man, who working as a
butler They could not do the worN cut out for me,
but they could make opportunities and screen me
while pulled it Off 1t safe that pretty boy
OF such obvious youth and innocence would be beyond
the pale of suspicion. l was to go home at night so
had wondered how Lutreau had got into
the embassy; that was explained when found tha z
the butler had engaged me and was to give me my
orders.
While my position was safe enough, for the first
week the job looked hopeless No one was
allowed in the room but middle aged man who
worked the chart table all day carefully locking
the door if he left the for moment The
sponsibiity Of planning spared | reported
each night TO Lutreau, and though he made no com
ment, all the while plans materalzing for me to
accomplish the task
The guardian of the called away. L
afterward found that decoy letter had taken him
Paris. On the day of his departure reported an
hour earlier than usual and with the adof the butler
gained entrance to the chartroom. The butler
made pretense of having some occupation in the
adjoining library, and arranged signal to notify
of danger 1t was only minutes work TO get the
letters but before had time than glance at
the charts, the sharp tap agreed upon warned TO
get out as quickly as possible | paid two other
visits to the room that day. under similar conditions,
but made little headway The charts were compli-
Gated and the rough, hurried outline | could make
seemed to convey little meaning of the original
We got the letters and my sketches out OF the
house quickly possible. In assisting the young
secretary into his topcoat 1t simple matter for
me to slip the documents into his pocket without
being observed. We planned another visit for the
next morning. at an earlier hour did not have any
nerves that time so about my duties of fetch
ing and carrying, in undisturbed spirits.
OF course, there a chance that the robbery of
the letters might be discovered, but that for
me 10 WOrry ABOUT I-utreau nad never oeen seen,
either with me or IN the vicinity FIauein callcdI
every night at to take me home, waiting for -
the servants hail.
There was banquet at the embassy that night
and during its progress 1t became necessary for
carry a message in the first secretary. The
beautiful jewels and gowns of the women were
dazzling and enjoyed the / stood, salver in
hand. waiting for reply. Suddenly a voice that
fairly froze my blood above the hum Of the gay
conversation:
What pr city boyr' The drawing tone focused
every eye upon me, and looking up / met the level
gaze of Zka There mistakng his express
sion He knew me.