Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1911-04-12


the minister, seriously There is
a matter of utmos' Importance"
He bowed The women, hesitating
in their embarra ssment, rose and
walked away, leaving the half-dozen
men standing in a circle.
Il find myself in an awkward po-
sition," began the minister, slowly. Il
am a guest Of your club, and l should
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, l had in my pocket
certain papers of great Importance
to my country. In the last few min
utes they have disappeared. l regret
to say it-but, gentlemen, some one
has taken them"
There was gasp of establishment
81 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 is'-he was brilliantly impress
sive. Just the right shade of re-
uctance colored his earnestness.
Il 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 a serious charge, excei-
lency," exclaimed one of the men.
4 am aware of that. But | am
obliged to ask you not to dismiss it
hastily. My position and standing are
known to you. When | tell you that
these papers are of Importance to my
country, you Can only in part realize
how great that Importance it. Gen
tlemen, I mus ask Mr.. 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, care
in my pocket"
O6k6IdI Vi the men EXCLAIMED.
But" Orme went on, Il 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"
Il 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?"
IF you do that, you betray my coun-
try's secrets"
Orme turned to the others. His
excellency and l are both guests here, -
he said. Leaving his official position
out of the question, my word must go
as far as his. l 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
In this country" said Orme, calm
ly, I'VE knock men down for wores
like that. In Japan, perhaps, the lie
can be passed with rmpunity"
Gentlemen, l ask that Mr. Ormc
be detained, exclaimed the minister
furiously
Il 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 a serious matter for ID,
club he said. 81 suggest, Mr. Ormt
that we go to the library glancd
significantly at the other groups
the veranda-"where no one can owe
hear us, and talk the matter owe
quietly
But that will exactly fit in with h
scheme" exclaimed Orme. heatedl
He knows that, in the interests
our own country"-he hazarded this1
Il must be at a certain place befoI
midnight He will use every meaf
to delay me-even to charging nj
with theft"
What is that?" Bessie WallinT
hams voice broke in upon them. "
any one daring to accuse Bob Ormeg
In her long, gray silk motor cloaF
with the filmy chiffon veil bouly
about her hat, she startled them, Iii
an apparition.
The spokesman explained. His g
cellency says that Mr.. Orme hf
stolen some papers from him."
Then his excellency is at faulW
said Bessie, promptly. Il vouch 4
Mr.. Orme He is Toms best frierE
and Tom is one of the governors l.
the club. Come, Bob"
She eurned away decisively, and
Orme recognized the advantage she
had given him, and strobe after her.
From noises behind him he gathered
that the men were holding the min
lister back by main force.
CHAPTER XVIII
The Goal.
Tho chauffeur was opening the door