Ladysmith news-budget. [volume] (Ladysmith, Rusk County, Wis.) 1907-1927, 1911-08-18
CHAPTER XVi.-Continued.

yet you spoke of others who might
come here. What others? Who are
they? The representatives of Mex
ico? Some attache of the British
embassy at Washington? Some min
lister from England itself, sent here
direct?"
She smiled at me again. Il told
sou not to go back to your hotel, did
Z nOt?"
l got no further with her, it seemed.
You interest me sometimes" she
went on slowly, at last, yet you seem
to have so little brain! Now, in.your
employment, l should think that brain
would be somewhat useful at times"
Il do not deny that suggestion,
madam"
But you are unable to analyze.
Thus, in the matter Of yourself. l
suppose if you were told of it, you
would only say that you forgot to
LOOK in the toe of the slipper you
lad-
Did you credit the attache of Mex
leo with being nothing more than
drunken rowdy, to follow me across
town with a little shoe in his car
riage?"
But you said he was in wine"
True But would that be rea-
son? Continually you show your lack
Of brain in accepting as conclusive
results which could not possibly have
occurred. Granted he was in wine,
granted he followed me, granted he
had my shoe in his pOssessiOn-wha
then? Does it follow that at the ball
at the White House he could have
removed that shoe? Does monsieur
think that l, too, was in wine?'
Il agree that l have no brain! l
cannot guess what you mean. l can
only beg once more that you explain
"NoW listen. In your most youth
fIl and charming innocence l presume
you do not know much of the capabil-
tiles for concealment offered by a
iady's apparel! Now, suppose | had
message-wbere do you think l
could hide it; granted, of course, the
conditions obtaining at ball in the
White HOuse?"
Then you did have message? 1t
came to you there, at that timer
She nodded. Certainly, Mr.. Van
Iandt had almost no other OppOrtun-
ity to meet me or get word to me-
Van Zandt! Madam, are you in
deed in the camp of all these different
interests? So, what Pakenham said
w 10 o+t0rh0
of Texas. Van Zandt is pleading with
Mr.. Calhoun that he shall take up the
secretaryship Van Zandt promises
us the friendship of Texas if we will
stand out for the annexation of Texas
Van Zandt promises us every effort
in his power against England. Van
Iandt promises us the Sternest OF
fronts against treacherous Mexico
Van Zandt is known to be interested
in this fair bona LucreZia, just as
Polk is. Now, then, comes Van Zandt
with his secret message slipped into
The hand of madam at the ambassa
doris ball-madam, the friend of Eng
land! The attache of Mexico is curl
0us-furious-to know what Texas is
saying to England! And that message
must be concealed! And madam con
ceals it in"
She smiled at me brilliantly. "Yol
come on she said. Should your hea(
be opened and analysed, yes, l thinl
a trace of brain might be discovered
by good chemistry
l resumed impatiently. You pu
his message in your slipper"
She nodded. Yes" she said, I'll
the toe Of it. There was barely chance
to do that. You see, our skirts are
full and wide; there are curtains il
the east room; there was wine b.
this time; there was music SO I eft
Gected that much But when you tool