Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-10-27
CHAPTER K.
Bellamy Is Outwitted.

d
whose supreme effort Of life it was to
meet success and disaster with unvary-
ing mien. But this was disaster too ap-
palling even for his self-controk He felt
his knees shake so that he caught at the
edge Of the table before which he was
standing. There was no possible doubt
about it, he had been tricked. Won Behr-
ling. after all-von Behrling. whom he
had looked upon merely as a stupid. in
fatuated Austrian. ready to sell his coun-
try for the sake of woman-nad iooieo
him utterly.
The man who sat at the head of the
table-the only other occupant OF the room
was in court dress with many orders
upon his coat. He had just been attend
ing a court function, from which Bel
lamy's message had summoned him. Be-
fore him on the table was an envelope.
hastily torn open. and several sheets OF
blank paper. 1t was upon these tnat BEL
lamy's eyes were fixed with an expression
of mingled horror and amazement. The
cabinet minister had already pushed them
away with little gesture OF contempt.
"Bellamy,'' he said. gravely. 1T is not
like you to make SO serious ,n an error
| "I-yes, have been deceived.
The minister glanced at the clock.
"What is to be done?" he asked.
| Bellamy. with an effort, pulled himself
1 tORot0er. lie caught up Lie OhsCiopS'
looked once more inside, held up the blank
sheets of paper to the lamp and laid them
down Then with ciinched fists he walked
| to the other side Of the room and re-
turned. He was himself again.
sir James. I will not waste your time
| by saying that am sorry. Only an hour
| ago met Won Behrling in a little restau-
rant in the city and gave him twenty
thousand pounds for that envelope"
You paid him the money. the minister
4 ulo sturtthnnf nnnninU the
envelope"
| Bellamy admitted it.
I'm such transactions as these" he de-
clared, great risks are almost inevitable.
| an absurd risk. To tell you the honest
| truth, sir. and I have had experience In
| these things, I thought it no risk at all
when I handed over the money. Won
Behrling was there in disguise. The men
| with whom he came to this country are
/ furious with him. To all appearance. he
seemed to have broken with them abso-
lutely. Even now
| "Well?'
his eyes fixed upon the wall OF the room
and dawning light growing stronger
every moment in his face. "even now
believe that Won Behrling made q mis-
take. An envelope such as this had been
leave at the Austrian embassy in case Of
emergency. He had 1t with him in his
| pocketbook. He even told me SO. God
| in heaven, he gave me the wrong one!
The minister glanced once more at the
clock.
"In that case he said. perhaps he
would not go to the embassy tonight.
especially II he was In disguise. You
may still be able to find him and repair
| the error"
II will try" answered Bellamy. THANK
heaven!'' he added with q sudden CLEAN
Of satisfaction, my watchers are still
logging his footsteps. can find out be-
fore morning where he went when he left
too. Mademoiselle-this man Won Behr-
| ling believed that she was leaving the
| country with him. She was to have had
| q message within the next few hours"
1 The minister nodded thoughtfuHy.
. Bethany, have been your friend and
you have done us good service often.
The secret service estimates. as you know,
| are above suspicion, but twenty thousand
pounds is great deal Of money to have
paid for this
He touched the sheets Of blank paper
| with his forefinger. Bellamy's teeth were
clinched-
'The money shall be returned. SIR"
DO not misunderstood me-" Sir James
| went on, speaking a little more kindly.
| THE money after all, in comparison with
what it was destined to purchase. is MOTH
ing. We might even count it a fair risk
| II 1t was lost.
1T shall not De lOSt, Bethany prom
Used. IF Won Behrling has played the
traitor to us. then he will go back to his
country. In that case I will have the
money from him without a doubt. IT, on
the other hand. he was honest to us and
a traitor to his country. as I firmly be-
lieve 1t may not yet be too late"
Let US hope not" Sir James declared.
"Bellamy." he continued. q note of agita-
ton trembling in his tone. Il need not tell
you, l am sure, how important this mat
/ Tor iG You work like a mole in the dark,
yet you have brains-you understand. Let
| me tell you how things are with us. A
certain amount OF confidence is due to
you. IL to any one. may tell you that
ous tone nrevailed We do mt UNDER
/ st nd N The lea tia attifuda of several