The Huttig news., 1911-02-18

man breaks away 1n The oth-r ear. ---..sa manages to climb in behind. thro,tt.s the Jap and ditches the machine
 An air of startled expectancy was manifest in the position taken by the different members of the group The minister's voice had sounded sharp and authoritative. and he now stepped forward pace or two, stopping at a point where the light from one of the clubhouse windows fell full on his face. Clearly he was laboring under great excitement
 You have something to say to me?" inquired Orme He foresaw an effort to detain him.
 T am compelled to ask the ladies to leave us for few minutes said the minister, seriously. There is matter of utmos' importance"
 He bowed. The women, hesitating in their embarrassment, rose and walked away, leaving the half-dozen | men standing in a circle
 sI find myself in an awkward DO sition,' began the minister, slowly. '1
 
 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 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. I regret to say it-but, gentlemen, some one has taken them"
 There was a gasp of astonishmept.
 T mus even open myself to the charge of abusing your hospitality rather than let the matter pass. If could only make you understand how grave it isa--he was brilliantly impress sive. Just the right shade of re- luctance colored his earnestness.
 T 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 serious charge. excef- lency.' exclaimed one of the men.
 '1 am aware of that But I 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. Gen tlemen. l mus ask Mir Orme whether he has the papers"
 Orme saw that the minister's bold stroke was having it's 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, T 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."
 T 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?"
 try's secrets"
 Orme turned to the others His excellency and I are both guests here," he said. Leaving his official position out of the question, my word must go as far as his. I 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.
 Tn this country" said Orme, calm ly, I've knock men down for wores like that. In Japan, perhaps, the lie can be passed with rmpunrty."
 Gentlemen, I ask that MT. Orme be detained,' exclaimed the minister furiously.
 T 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 serious matter for the club he said. 'I suggest, MT Orme. that we go to the library"-he glanced significantly 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 hazarded this T 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 "Is 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. like