The Spokane press. [volume] (Spokane, Wash.) 1902-1939, 1909-09-27
CHAPTER xvu.-continued.


Il think" he continued, that
Lord Chelsford and in fact all the
others are inclined to accept you
on my estimate. We all of us feel
that we are the victims Of some
unique and very marvellous piece of
roguery on the part of some one or
other. I believe myself that we are
on the eve of discovery"
Thank heaven!" / murmured. !.
I'VE shall only succeed in, I'M
raveling this mystery" the duke
continued deliberately, 'by very
cautious and delicate maneuvering.
l have an idea which I propose to
carry out. But its success depends
largely upon you" sig
Upon me?" l repeated, amazed.
Exactly! Upon your common
sense and judgment"
The duke paused to listen for a
moment. Then he continued, speak
ing very slowly and leaning over
toward me-
Lord Chelsford proposes for his
own satisfaction to cross examine
you. 1t occurs to me that you will
probably tell him of your fancied
disturbance of those papers In the
safe and of your little adventure
with the prince of Majors"
looked alta him in, surprise.
Have they not all been told of
this?" | asked.
NO"
- ct
lence. l was little staggered. The
duke remained imperturable.
They have not been told" he
repeated. mo one has been told.
The matter was one for my discre-
ton, and l exercised it,,
There seemed to be no remark
which l could make, so l kept
silence.
I'VE have discussed this matter
before" the duke said, ''and my
firm conviction is that you were
mistaken. That safe could only
have been opened by yourself, Ray
or my self. l think l am justified
in saying that neither of us did
open it."
Nevertheless that safe was
opened" l objected Those were
the very papers copies of which
have found their way to Paris"
(TO be continued.) *
Exactly" the duke answered.
Only you must remember that
every member Of the board was suf-
ficiently acquainted with their; con-
tents to have sent those particulars
to Paris, without opening the safe
for further investigation of them.
Any statement of your suspicion
would only result in attention be-
ing diverted from the proper quar-
ters to members of my household.
| believe that even if you are right,
even If those papers were dis
turbed, it was done simply to throw
dust in your eyes. Do you follow
me?"
Yes, your grace" answered.
Lord Chelsford, if you were able
to convince him, would most GER
taainly be misued in this direction.
That is why | have kept your report
to myself. That is why my advice
to you now is to say nothing about
your imagined displacement Of
those papers. That is my advice.
You understand"
Yes. your grace" | repeated.
with regard to the prince of Ma
lors," the duke continued, my firm
conviction is that you were mis-
taken. Majors is not a politician.
He has nothing whatever to gain
or lose in this matter. He is a
member of one of the most ancient
houses of Europe, a house which
for generations has been closely
connected with my own. l abso-
lutely decline to believe that whilst
under my roof a Majors could low
er himself to the level of a COM
mon spy. Such an accusation
brought against him would be re-
garded as blot upon my hospital
ity. Further, it would mean the
breaking off of my ancient ties of
friendship. am very anxious,
therefore. that you should bring
yourself to accept my view as to
this episode also"
Your grace" l answered, you
| ask me very hard things"
He looked at me with his. clear
cold eyes.
Surely not too hard. Mr.. .Du
caine," he said II ask you to &C
cept my judgment. Consider for q
moment. You are young man
little more than boy. l for AZ
/ yaarc have haan q servant Of my