Arizona republican., 1911-10-02

the air of a patriarch frowning on an
angry child. q
1T is the purpose of the consular
| and diplomatic services" he announced
pompously, Ito care for the interest oil
the American government and Ameri
can citizens in foreign lands. The ma
chinery of the service, Mr.. Charring
ton, is already In motion in regard to
your matter, and the acting consul
looks for a speedy adjustment of your
difficulties"
Charrington had raised one fist In
the air to relieve himself Of more
superheated speech. AS Bacon COM
menced to speak, he slowly lowered
his arm, and his jaw dropped.
MY secretary" Bacon continued ur-
banely, has taken a note to Captain
Strolboff, and | think he will be here
shortly"
Charrington looked at his friend like
q man not quite certain whether or not
he retains his senses. Jones came in
the door with unusual speed.
Say" he demanded of Bacon, what
in blaZes did you write TO that Rus
sian? He's coming here on the run"
Jones'" commanded Bacon, this
matter is out of your province. VIII
you kindly step into the adjoining
room?"
The stupefied Jones skunk out Of the
room. Charrington started to speak
but Bacon, getting to his feet like a
shot took command OF the situation by
sheer force Of energy. Like flash he
whirled on the girl.
When Strolboff comes In the door,"
he jerked out, you scream and start
for him. Charrington, you grab her
when she starts for him, and I'll close
the door. Then you hold the girl
and you'-with a jerk of the head
toward the waitress-'just weep your
eyes out. Charrington, you leave the
Russian to me, and for the love of
less / ask you something. Just follow
my lead!"
Hurrying feet, evidently clad in
heavy, military boots, sounded outside
the door. An instant later a chastened,
scared-looking Russian officer stood
before them. Yvette emitted a pierre
ing scream, leaped to her feet and
fairly hurled herself across the room;
Charrington awkwardly but effectively
checked her. The Russian, very pale,
uuttered something in his own tongue
and tried TO back out the door, but
Bacon shut 1t quickly behind him.
Yvette sank back into her chair sob
bling.
IN. Strolbotf," Bacon began in low,
solemn tone. Ito say that | am panied
and shocked by what this woman has
told me is putting ii mildly"
Il will explain" stammered the
Russian.
There is no call for explanations"
returned Bacon. 81 cannot but believe
what she has told me. L" Bacon
paused with feeling Of sudden help
lessness. This playing In the dark had
its disadvantages. Fortunately the
Russian was sufficiently frightened TO
bridge over the gaps.
1T was a mistake" he said rapidly
to the girl in French bacon drew
long breath when he did not speak
Russian). "a horrible mistake.
thought him dead swear to you
did will make amends."
This is a matter" put in Bacon
gravely, which NJ. Strolboff and my
self had best discuss in private"
He walked quickly TO the door of the
inner room, opened 1t and bowed to
the Russian. Strolboff walked through,
and the door closed. For fifteen min
utes Charrington and the girl sat silent
in two corners of the Office. From time
TO time they heard the muffled sound
of voices. At length the door opened
and the Russian came out, followed by
Bacon.
Madame" announced Bacon, you
may rest assured. | have convinced
NJ Strolboff as TO what is his duty in
this matter, and | shall see to II that
your rights are protected"
With heavy dignity he turned to
Charrington.
I'm the course of affairs diplomatic"
he continued, ''it sometimes occurs that
personal matters lend themselves to
the solution of graver problems. NJ.
Strolboff has sinned against the
woman too deeply to make complete
reparation Here in this isolated place
we are far from justice. ] may have
presumed too much, but have taken
IL upon myself to be the judge-as man
to man There was no lodging the
fact that NJ Strolboff should be forced
to do something We have finally ar
rived at the conclusion that he will
allow NJ. Charrington to embark the
Russian peasants-and that the affair
will be considered closed"
Bacon bowed gravely and opened the
door The Russian bowed. shot quick
glance at the woman, and sidled out.
From the squat, ugly funnel of the
"Boric," clouds of black smoke rolled
out and spread heavily over the empty
harbor. The frowsy heads OF the Rus
sian peasants lined the rails, and
cheerful faces grinned down at Bacon
and Charrington who stood on the pier
below.
"Naughty-seven and ninety-eight!"
chortled Bacon. its combination too
big for Russia"
Charrington pumped him steadily by
the hand as the gangplank commenced
to slip.
"I'll see to II that a dignified version
of the inside history of The Valny AZ
fair goes into the right ears" he
promised. You're a born diplomat,
Frederick, and you're going up. You
Just leave things to me. I'll have that
red ribbon across your dress-shirt or
my names not Billy Charrington."
Bacon, kicking his heels against the