The Columbus journal., 1911-05-17
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to leave us for a few minutes" said
the minister. seriously. There Is
a matter of utmos' importance"
He bowed. The women. hesitatins
in their embarrassment. rose and
walked away. leaving the half-dozen
men standing in a circle.
Il find myself in an awkward pc
sition." began the minister, slowly. 81
am guest of your club. and should
never dream of saying what I mus
say. were my own personal affairs
alone involved. Let me urge that
no one leave until have done"
For a tense moment he was silent
Then he went on:
Gentlemen, while We were talking
together here. I had in my pocket
certain papers of great Importance
to my country. In the last few min.
utes they have disappeared. l regret
to say it-but. gentlemen. some one
has taken them"
There was gasp of establishment
Il mus even open myself to the
charge Of abusing your hospitality
rather than let the matter pass. II !
could only make you understand how
grave it is"-he was brilliantly impress
sive. Just the right shade of re-
luctance cOlored his eaTnestness.
Il have every reason to think" he
continued. that the possession OF
those papers would be of immense per-
sonal advantage to the man who has
been sitting at my right-Mr. Orme. !"
This is a serious charge, excei-
iency." exclaimed one of the men.
Il am aware Of that. But l am
obliged to ask you not to dismiss it
hastily. My position and standing are
known to you. When I tell you that
these papers are of importance to my
country. you can only in part realize
how great that importance it. Cen
tlemen. I mus ask Mr.. Orme whether
he has the papers"
Orme saw that the minister's bold
stroke was having its effect. He de-
cided quickly to meet it with frank
ness. The papers to which his ex-
cellency REFERS" he said quietly. ARE
in my pocket"
Several of the men exclaimed.
But" Orme went on. Il did not
take them from his excellency. On
the contrary. his agents have for some
time been using every device to steal
them from me. They have failed, and
now he is making a last attempt by
trying to persuade you that they be-
long to him"
Il submit that this smart answer
does not satisfy my charge" cried the
minister.
DO you really wish to 60 further?"
demanded Orme. Would you like me
to explain to these men what those
papers really mean?"
IF you do that, you betray my coun-
try's secrets"
Orme turned to the others. His
excellency and 1 are both guests here"
he said. Leaving his official position
out of the question, my word must 60
as far as his. l assure you that he
has no claim at all upon the papers
in my pocket"
That is not true"
The minister's words exploded in a
sharp staccato.
In this country" said Orme. calm
ly. we knock men down for woras
like that. In Japan. perhaps, the lie
can be passed with Impunrty"
Gentlemen, l ask that Mr.. Orme
furiously.
Il will not be detained" said Orme.
The other men were whispering
among themselves. and at last one of
them stepped forward as spokesman.
This is a serious matter for the
club" he said. Il suggest. Mr. Orme.
that We 60 to the library'-he glanced
at the other groups on
the veranda-"where no one can over
hear us. and talk the matter over
quietly"
But that will exactly fit in with his
scheme" exclaimed Orme. heatedly.
He knows that. in the interests Of
our own country"-he hazarGed this
Il must be at certain place before
midnight. He will use every means
TO delay me-even to charging me
with theft
What is that" Bessie Walling-
hams voice broke in upon them. rs
any one daring to accuse Bob Orme?"
In her long, gray silk motor cloak.
with the filmy chiffon veil bound
about her hat. she startled them. Ike
an apparition.
The spokesman explained. His ex-
cellency says that Mr.. Orme has
stolen some papers from him"
Then his excellency is at fault"
said Bessie. promptly. Il vouch for
Mr. Orme. He is Toms best friend.
and Tom is one of the governors Of
the club. Come, Bob"
She turned away decisiyely. and
Orme recognized the advantage she
had given MIN. and strobe after her.
From noises behind him he gathered
that the men We're holding the min
lister back by main force.
CHAPTER XVIII.