The Southern herald., 1911-05-05

in their embarrassment, rose and 1
walked away, leaving the half-dozen
men standing in a circle.
Il find myself in an awkward po-
sition." began the minister. slowly. Il |
am a guest Of your club, and | should |
never dream Of saying what | mus
say, were mS own personal affairs
alone involved. Let me urge that
no one leave unth have done"
For a tense moment he was silent.
Then he went on:
Gentlemen. while we were talking
together here, / had in my pocket
certain papers of great importance
to my country. In the last few min
utes they have disappeared. regret
to say it-but. gentlemen. some one
has taken them"
There was gasp Of astonishment.
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 earnestness.
i 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, excel
leney," exclaimed one of the men.
Il am aware of that. But / am
obliged to ask you not to dismiss 1t
hastily. My position and standing are
known to you. When l tell you that
these papers are Of Importance to my
country, you can only in part realize
how great that Importance it. Gen.
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 1t with frank
ness. THE papers to which his ex-
cellency refers" he said quietly, ARE
in my pocket"
Several Of the men exclaimed.
But" 0rme 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 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 go 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. "Hii
| excellency and l are both guests here,
: he said. Leaving his official position
out Of the question, my word must g
/ as far as his. | assure you that b,
:. has no claim at all upon the paper
;, in my pocket"
THAT is not true!"
d The minister's words exploded in
sharp staccato.
S ''In this country" said Orme, calm
ly, Eve knock men down for wora
t like that. In Japan, perhaps, the Ii
can be passed with rmpunity."
e Gentlemen, l ask that Mr.. Orm
d be detained" exclaimed the ministe
s furiously.
= 81 will not be detained" said Ormt
The other men were whisperin
n among themselves, and at last one {
z them stepped forward as spokesman
n This is a serious matter for th
n club" he said 81 suggest, Mr.. Orm
m that we go to the library"-he glance
,e significantly at the other groups @
n. the veranda-"where no one can owe
re hear us, and talk the matter ovC
at quietly"
But that will exactly fit in with h
n scheme" exclaimed Orme, heated
"He knows that, in the interests
H. our own country'-he hazarded this
ID Il must be at certain place befol
D. midnight. He will use every meal
In to delay me-even to charging n
ly with theft"
gs What is that?" Bessie Wallin
ht hams voice broke in upon them.
any one daring to accuse Bob Orme
ne In her long, gray silk motor cloa
J." with the filmy chiffon veil boui
lie about her hat, she startled them, Ii
re an apparition.
The spokesman explained. His {
l." cellency says that Mr.. Orme h
stolen some papers from him"
he Then his excellency Is at faul
a said Bessie, promptly. 81 vouch
elf Mr.. Orme He is Toms best frier
.er and Tom Is one of the governors
the club. Come, Bob"
She turned away decisively, a
10 Orme recognized the advantage s
In. had given him, and strode after b
From noises behind him he gather
ed, that the men were holding the m
Iir. lister back by main force.
ras
he CHAPTER XVIII.