Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-11-19
CHAPTER XXI.
Miss Leneveu's Message.

The two men stepped back into the
hotel. The cashier had returned to his
desk. and the incident which had just
transpired seemed to have passed I'M
noticed. Nevertheless. Laverick felt that
the studied indifference of his compan-
ions manner had it's significance and he
endeavored to initiate it
"Shall we go through into the barr" he
asked. "There's very seldom any one
there at this time.
Anywhere you say" Bellamy an
swered. TITS years since we had drink
together
They passed into the inner room and,
finding it empty. drew two chairs into the
farther corner. Bellamy summoned the
waiter.
he ordered. Now, Laverick, listen to
me- he added, as the waiter turned
away. I'VE are alone for the moment,
but 1t won't be for long. You know very
well that it wasn't to renew our school
boy acquaintance that I've asked you to
come in here with me-
Laverick drew a little breath.
please go on, he said. Il am as anX-
ious as you can be to grasp this affair
properly
when we left school, Bethany re-
marked, you were destined for the stock
exchange. l went first to Magdalen. Did
you ever hear what became Of me after
ward?'
II always understood" Laverick an
swered, that you went into one of the
government Offices
Quite right Bellamy assented. II did.
At this moment have the honor to serve
his majesty
1.-Two thousand year and two hours
work day Laverick laughed. Il know
the sort Of thing
"You evidently don't" Belamy an
swered. Il often work twenty hours a
day. I don't get half two thousand a
year and most of the time ! carry my
life in my hands. When l am working
and I am working now-I am never sure
of the morrow"
I4averick looked at him incredulously.
You re not Joking. Bellamy?" he asked,
Not by any manner of means. I have
the honor to be a humble member OF his
majesty's secret service"
Laverick glanced at his companion won
deringly.
II really didn't know he said, that
such q service had any actual existence
except in novels
IT am q proof to the contrary" Bellamy
declared, grimly. Abroad, l run always
the risk Of being dubbed a spy and treated
like one. At home am simply the head
Of the AZ branch Of the secret service.
Here come our drinks.
Laverick raised his whisky and soda to
his lips mechanically.
Here's luck!' he exclaimed. Now go
on. Bellamy." he continued. THE waiter
can't overhear.
Belamy smiled.
Tim is one of the few persons in the
place." he said. whom one can trust.
AS a matter of fact. he has been very
useful to me more than once. Now,
listen to me attentively, Laverick. am
going to speak to you as one man to an
other"
Laveriek folded.
II am ready he said.
Last Monday" Bellamy went on. lean
ing forward and speaking in a soft but
very distinct undertone, "a man was muir
dered late at night in the heart OF the
city-within one hundred yards OF the
stock exchange The papers called it
mysterious murder. No one knows who
the man was, or who committed the
crime or why. You and /, Laverick, both
know a little more than the rest Of the
world"
"WellT
"The murder" Bellamy continued, 18th
a strange light in his eyes, was accom-
plished only stones throw from your
Office"
Horrible affair it was" he remarked.
Bellamy glanced toward the door-a man
had looked in and departed.
Enough of this fencing. Laverick." he
said. "A theft was committed from the
person of that murdered man. OF which
the general public knows nothing.
pocketbook was stolen from him contain
ing twenty thousand pounds and g. sealed
document AS to who murdered the man,
I want you to understand that that Is
not my affair. AS to what has become of
that twenty thousand pounds, have not
the slightest curiosity. I want the docu-
ment."
what claim have you to it?" Laverick
asked quickly.
II might retort, but will not Bellanny
replied "Time is too short. l will an
syver you by explaining who the man was
and what that document consists of. The
mans name was Won Bchrling and he
was a trusted agent Of the Austrian Sc
cret service. The document Of which he
was robbed contains a. verbatim report Of
the conference which recently took place