Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1911-02-09
CHAPTER xvI.--centinued.

Yet you spoke of others who might
come here. What others? Who are
they? The representatives of Mex
leo? Some attache OF the British
embassy at Washington? Some min
lister from England itself. sent here
direct?"
She smiled at me again. II told
you not to go back to your hotel, did
] not?"
got no further with her, 1t seemed.
You interest me sometimes" she
went on slowly. at last. yet you seem
to have so little brain! Now. in your
employment. ] 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. !
suppose II you were told of 1t, you
would only say that you forgot to
look In the toe of the slipper you
had.
did you credit the attache OF Mex
leo with being nothing more than a
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 a 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-what
then? Does 1t follow that at the ball
at the White House he could have
removed that shoe? Does monsieur
think that /, too. was in wine?'
Il agree that I have no brain! i
cannot guess what you mean. can
only beg once more that you explain"
"Ncw listen. In your most youth
full and charming innocence presume
you do not know much of the capabil-
tiles for concealment offered by q
lady's apparel! Now, suppose had
a message--where do you think !
could hide It; granted. of course, the
conditions obtaining at ball in the
White House?"
Then you did have a message? 1t
came to you there, at that timer"
She nodded. Certainly. Mr.. Van
Zandt 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
was true! Van Zandt is the attache
OF Texas. Van Zandt Is pleading with
Mr.. Calhoun that he shall take UP the
secretaryship. Van Zandt promises
us the friendship of Texas II we will
stand out for the annexation Of Texas.
Van Zandt promises US every effort
in his power against England. Van
Zandt promises US the sternest of
fronts against treacherous Mexico.
Van Zandt Is known to be interested
In this fair Dona Lucrezia, just as
Polk is. Now, then. comes Van Zandt
with his secret message slipped into
the hand OF madam at the ambassa-
doris bali-madam, the friend OF Eng.
land! The attache of Mexico Is curl
ous--furious-to know what Texas is
saying to England! And that message
must be concealed. And madam con.
ceals 1t in"
She smiled at me brilliantly. You
come on" she said. Should your head
be opened and analysed. yes, think
q trace OF brain might be discovered
by good chemistry"
resumed impatiently. You put
his message in your silpperY
She nodded. YES" she said, lin
the toe of 1t. There was barely chance
to do that. You see. our skirts are
full and wide; there are curtains in
the east room; there was wine by
this time; there was music: so l ef-
fected that much. But when you took
the slipper, you took Van Zandt's
note! You had 1t. 1t was true, what
l told Pakenham before the president
II did not then have that note! You
had 1t. At least, thought you had
It. till I found 1t crumpled on the
table the next day! 1t must have
fallen there from the shoe when we
made our little exchange that night.
All. you hurried me. | scarce knew
whether ives clad or shod. until the
next afternoon-after left you at the
White House grounds. So you hastily
departed--to your wedding?"
so small q ahoe could not have
held an extended epist ., msda""
-sid ignoring her question