Arizona republican. [volume] (Phoenix, Ariz.) 1890-1930, 1911-10-01
Publishing Coz

"Ill bet that Russian doesn't know.
I'll bet he's blufflng, and he's got bayo-
nets enough to get away with 1t. Prob
ably he's been laundering for excite
ment as much as you have-Only he
made up his mind a month ago how
he'd handle il when II came. Char
rington paused, and then the growing
thoughtfulness Of Bacon's face led him
TO say more-'Hell frame up big
worded. laudatory report about this
thing. and send il 10 st. Petersburg.
They'll read Il and say. Our consul at
Valny's little wizard We must put
him in the way Of things!' And the
first thing you know, our little whip
per-snapper in the white-wing's get-up
will be charge dGfdirS in London, with
his reputation made by The Valny
Affair'-and they'll ship you back to
Hong Kong as twenty-thlrd under
secretary Of the legation!"
But" insisted Bacon, 81 don't see
what I'm going TO do. If the mans
right he's right, and If he's wrong III
tell him so, he'll apologize and you'll
take your peasants and sail away"
Charrington shifted disdainfully.
Last night" he said reprovingly,
you told Yyette and me, in the strict
est confidence, that you believed you'd
make no end of a diplomat ii you rad
your chance. I'm driven TO confess
that you have not the faintest instincts
of one Let's go over 10 that cafe
again, and you let your imagination
work while l talk to Yvette!" .
Bacon sat moodily at the little table
while Charrington chartered with the
girl in a strange mixture of French
and English Bacon paid them little
attention He had gloomy thoughts Of
the future. After all, he confessed TO
himself, he was a tremendous green
horn. He wished for a bit of Stro.-
boff's easy confidence. He a diplomat!
Probably Charrington was right; he
lacked the first instincts Of one He
would have TO send a report of the
fiasco 10 Washington-and they would
read between the lines. In the
course Of fifteen or twenty years he
would probably be a clerk more or less
like Jones Not altogether like Jones
-Bacon's self-respect fingered long
enough TO add that much. He became
dimly conscious that Charrington and
the girl were talking about him.
"Our friend Bacon here" Charring-
ton was saying gaily, rs in the deuce
of a boat. He is confronted with all
the diplomatic strength Of the Russias
and he is very much scared
Not Eat leetle Strolboff-oh, no."
cried Yvette with a smile. Charming
ton nodded. q
The very same!" he confessed. and
then plunged into a contorted descrip-
ton Of the situation as though he were
the last person in the world TO be af-
fected Now" he concluded, what
would you suggest, Yvette?"
The girl stood leaning against the
wall, her big. black eyes shifting
saucily from Bacon to her questioner,
her pink fingers playing with the edge
Of the table-cloth. She spoke the first
bit OF familiar commonplace which
popped into her head.
"Cherchez Ia femme" she saidQuickly.
showing all her teeth in a dazzling
smile at Bacon.
Perfect" . shouted CharringtOn,
pounding the table in delight You
hear, BacOn?"
From outside there sounded sud
denly the suffering Of q ragged vol
ley Of shots. The French girl backed
into a corner, her eyes wide with
terror. Charrington sat up quickly,
his face suddenly grave. Another be
lated shot sounded. and Charrington
ran to the door and looked out. Bacon
sat perfectly still, and the deep frown
on his face gave way to a slow smile.
"Here," yelled Charrington in the
doorway, that shooting's down at the
pier, Come on, Bacon, this things
getting seriousi"
Don't bother me-" objected Bacon,
mildly, Il want to think"
"Oh, damn your thoughts!" snorted
Cha-lington, and went galloping down
the street.
'Yvette," Bacon said quickly, you're
a geniusl You're the queen of trumps
in The Valny Affair Now listen.
Go and get your best clothes on, and
long cloak Put a veil over your face
"a good thick one. When you're
dressed, go out the back door and over
to the American consulate. You know
it," =
The girl nodded.
Good" exclaimed Bacon. when
you get there-stay there! Don't pay
any attention to Jones; he may drop
dead with surprise. but that won't
matter. Do you understands
Again the girl nodded, and Bacon
started toward the door on the run,
but stopped short.
Can you speak anything but French
and English" ne inquired sharply.
Elm 1Ccnig Gcatsch,' admitted
Yvette in n trembling tone.
Thank God for making Alsatians."
muttered Bacon. well, When you get
10 the consulate, you speak nothing but
German to anyone but me. Now
hurry"
Twenty minutes later Charrington
stormed into the consulate. He found
Bacon seated at his desk placidly
smoking his pipe. In the corner of the
room sat a woman, rather loudly but
fashionably dressed, and deeply yelled.
She held handkerchief in her hand in
the manner of one who has either wept
or expects to weep.
Here, you one-horse diplomat"
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