The Raymer enterprise., 1911-01-05


the job?' put In Percy Nagel, smiling
ly. Set your mind at rest, Mr.. Secre.
tary; I've handled bigger cases than
yours. Here are my personal and official
credentials" handing over typewrit-
ten letter bearing the imprint OF the
New York branch OF Bulliyants, Limit
ed, duly signed, and stating that ''the
bearer, our Mr.. Percy Nagel. may be
trusted implicitly and to the fullest
extent and will serve you capably in
whatever matter is entrusted to his
judgment"
This left no doubt in Mr. Secretary's
mind as to the official standing OF his
visitor, whose quiet and self.assured
manner was gradually eifacing those
earlier feelings Of annoyance over
what had at first sight looked like
sending boy to do a mans work.
But perhaps, he reflected. Nagel's mis-
leading appearance might be one Of
his best assets in any inquiry requir-
ing delicate handling. So when the
caller got down to brass tacks with
leading question the officials reserve
vanished
What liz the trouble, Mr.. Secretly"
inquired the man from Bullyants.
Let me have the facts frankly and
fully. pleasc-no. thank you, won't
smoke now" For the secretary's well.
known olive-branch was always a
choice cigar.
In three words. Mr.. Nagel. the trou.
BILE is-a stolen treaty. Stolen. sir.
from right under my own nose, from
this very table," shifting the massive
mahogany with his clenched fist. I'm
til II Is recovered, certain important
negotiations are at standstill. while
II. as suspect, 1t has fallen into the
wrong hands, the gravest international
complications may ensue-perhaps,
the greatest this world has ever
seen"
Percy Nagcrs eyes had narrowed to
couple Of cleaning Sits and he
nodded comprehendingly The secre-
tary went on:
The document in question. Mr.. Ma.
gel. for | shall be entirely frank with
you, is the completed draft of our
new secret treaty with Japan. All 1t
lacks is the signature OF the two rep
resentatiyes OF the high.coniracting
powers As you may, perhaps. infer.
there are clauses. defensive and Of
fensiye, which will materially affect
the course OF affairs In the orient dur.
ing the next ten years. These policies
a certain European government has
long been desirous OF controlling"
"Belgaria?" put in Nagel.
Precisely" was the answer THE
emperor, through his regularly accred-
tied agents as well as by paid spies,
has left no stone unturned to learn
the contents Of this treaty, with a
view. no doubt. to checkmate certain
features which he chooses to regard
as inimical to himself and to Bel.
garia"
Nagel nodded to signify that he was
intently following the argument.
Five days ago, Mr. Nagel, that
treaty disappeared In broad daylight" B"
And whom do you suspect" asked
Nagel, going right to the point.
There you've hit the nail on the
head" countered the official. "Abso.
lutely no one."
How many people besides yourself
and the Japanese ambassador knew OF
the existence OF this treaty in its com.
pleted FORM" persisted Nagel
only three-Mr. Pargette, the as.
sistant secretary OF state. my own
nephew. who is my personal secretary,
and the engrossing clerk. ! would as
soon suspect myself as any one of
them"
Naturally" murmured the man
from Bulliyants, with an impassiye
face. And you say the treaty disap-
pcared in broad daylight
''PrecIsely-that is the mysterious
feature about the whole matter. II
was here. on this very spot indicat.
ing a wide pad OF blue blotting paper.
Il was alone in the room at the mo.
ment. ! went to the window for an
instant to watch the tennis match
being played on the White House
court, and when again seated myself
II was gone. ! don't mean. you un.
derstand. that | consciously missed II
at that very moment; but when. ten
or twelve minutes later, ! looked. It
dawned on me that had subcon.
sciously noticed when resumng my
chair, that the spot where the folded
document lay had been vacant"
NO one entered the room while
you stood at the window
no one-only two persons have the
entree unannounced. Mr.. Pargette and
my private secretary.
THE question is superauous, but u
must be asked, Could the treaty have
been gathered up or filed away with
other payers?'
Equally impossible, yet even tina,
solution has been exploded; every
nook and corner has been searched. >
by whom"
AT first by myself, Mr.. Pargette
and my nephew. Then we called In