Newark evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1909-1916, 1910-06-07
mo" said Brett, "you haven't"
"Well?" said the other man.

Nct SoAh DiCits you ave -
"Well?" said the other man.
THE fact is" said Brett, at heard
o had been in London. I guessed
from your appearance that you might
be a kings messenger, and 1t was JUS
possible that the CAPTAIN Gaultier In
whom I was interested might starr
back to the con, nent tonight. so 1 put
two and two to- ether, don't you see.
with the result that they made four
a thing which doesn't always happen
in deduction If in mathematics"
Now. foreign office messengers are
not chosen for their simplicity or gen.
eral want of intelligence. Captain
Gaultier eyed his questioner with some
degree of stern suspicion as he said
from behind his cigar
May 1 ask who you are?"
Certainly" replied Brett, producing
his card.
After a quick glance at the paste
board. Gaultier continued
II suppose, Mr.. Brett, you have some
motive in addressing me? What Is it?
Il am interested in the fate of a man
named Talbot" was the straightfor-
ward reply, and as you told the I'm
der-Secretary hat you had seen Talbot
crissing to Paris in company with a
lady last Tuesday, I hoped that per-
haps you would not mind discussing
the matter with me-"
Captain Gau1tier was evidently puz-
zled. Private conversations with I'm
der-Secretary of State are not. as a
rule, public property, n his momen-
tary intention to decline further con-
%versation with this ~good-looking and
fascinating stranger was checked by
remembrance of the fact.
Really, Mr.. Brett" he said, although
I do not question the accuracy of your
statement. you will readily understand
that l can hardly discuss the matter
with you, under the circumstances"
Naturally. You would not be hold
ing a responsible position in His Ma
jesty's service if you were at all likely
to do such thing. But 1 propose, in the
first instance, to reassure you as to my
bona fides, and 1 may point out, in the
second place, that as l have met you
by a fortunate chance, you can hardly
deem it a breach of confidence to dis
cuss with me the mere accidental APP
pearance on a cross-Channel steamer of
a man known not only to both of us,
but to society at large"
Gaultier clearly hesitated, but did not
refuse to accept the Under-Secretary's
letter, which Brett handed to him, with
the words
you know the handwriting, no
doubt?"
THAT speaks for itself" The Kings
messenger smiled when he returned the
note. ut is an odd coincidence he
added, and still more curious that you
should spot met so readily. However,
Mr. Brett, we have o cleared the air.
What can I do for your"
Simply this" said the barrister, do
you mind telling me how you came to
recognize Mr.. Talbot
We'll, for one thing" was the
thoughtful reply, II knew his overcoat.
I often met Talbot In the Foreign Of
flee, and one day he drove me to his
club wearing a very handsome coat
lined with astrachan. 1t struck me as a
peculiarly comfortable and well-ftting
one, and, although there are plenty of
men about own who may possess as
| rachan coats. it is a reasonable
| assumption that this was the identical
garment when it happened to be worn
by the man himself
Then you are quite certain it was
Talbot" went on the barrister.
quite certain"
would you swear 1t was he. though
his life depended on your accuracy"
"Well, no, perhaps not that; but l
would certainly swear that 1 l believed it
was Mr.. Talbot"
"Ah, that is a material difference.
The only way in which you could be
positively certain was to enter into con-
~versation with his, was 1t not?'