The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1911-02-06


" The packet was changed. then. by
some one in your room. or some one
who had access to it, Peter Ruff said.
How about your servant
!" it was his evening on. the Hon
orable Maurice answered. 81 let him
put out my things and so at seven
o'clock"
You must tell me the nature OF the
contents OF the packet Peter Ruff de-
clared. Don't hesitate You must
do it. Remember the alternative
The young man did hesitate for SER
eral moments. but glance into his
sisters appealing face decided him.
1t was our official reply to a secret
communication from Russia respecting
"a certain matter in the Balkans"
Peter Run nodded.
Where Is Count Won Hern?" he
asked. abruptly.
Inside, dancing" the Honorable
Maurice answered.
must use telephone at once. :"
Peter Run said Ask one OF the
servants here where can ind one
Peter Run was conducted to a
gloomy waiting-room. on the table OF
which stood small telephone instru-
ment. He closed the door, but he was
only absent for very few minutes.
When he reioined Lady Mary and her
brother they we're talking together in
! agitated whispers. Tho latter turned
| towards him at once.
DO you mean that you suspect
1 Count Won Hern?" he asked. doubt
fully. He is friend of the Danish
Minister'S, and every one says that
| he's such a good chap. He doesn't
seem to take the slightest interest in
politics spends nearly all his time
hunting or playing polo"
"I don't suspect any one" Peter
Ruff answered. 81 only know that
/ Count Won Hern is an Austrian spy.
and that he took your paper! Has he
been out OF -FOUR sight at all since you
/ rejoined him In the sitting-roome 1
mean to say-had he any opportunity
] of leaving you during the time you
were dining together. or did he make
any calls On route. either on the way
to the Savoy or from the Savoy here?"
Tho young man shook his head.
He has not been out Of my sight
for a second" he declared.
Who is the other man-Jermyn? y
Peter Ruiz asked. Il never heard of
him."
An American-cousin Of the Ouch
ess.' the Honorable Maurice answered.
/ interest In the affair."
Please take me into the ball
/ room" Peter Run said to Lady Mary.
+" Your brother had better not come
/ with US. l want to be as near the
Count Won Hern as possible
They passed into the crowded rooms,
unnoticed, purposely avoiding the little
| space where the Duchess was still re-
| ceiying the late corners amongst her
I guests. They found progress dfncult.
1 and Lady Mary felt her heart sink
/ as she glanced at the little jeweled
watch which hung from her wrist.
1 Suddenly Peter Ruiz came to stand
still.
Don't LOOK for 8 moment he
said. e but tell ne as 5000 as ron can
who is that tail yoHng nsr, Ike a
1 Goliath. talking TO the little dark
wonan7 Tor see whom I mean.
Lady Mari nodded, and thsr paused
on In q moment or two she AZ
I swered him.
How strange tia. rcu should
ask" she whispered II his ear.
That is Mr.. Jermrr--
I They we're on the outskirts now o.
the ballroom itself One Of Lady
Mary's partners came up with an open
program and face full of reproach
DO please forgive me. Captain Hen
dsrson,'' Lady Mary begged. have
hurt my foot, and am not dancing
any more"
/" But surely / was to take you in tc
! supper" the young ofdcer protested
good Don't tell me thai
you are going TO cut that?
81 am going to cut everything 20
night with everybody" Lady Mary
sald. Please forgive me. Come e
tea tomorrow ard I'll explain
The Young man bowed. and, with q
curious glance at Ruff, accepted nil
dismissal another partner vas Gin
4 ply waved away.
PLEASE turn round and come back.
Peter RuH said. want 10 see those
two again"
but We haven't found Count yor
Hern yet" she protested Surei,
that Ia more important, IS it mott
believe that I saw him dancing JUS
nowhere, With the tall girl in vel
low"
Never mind about him. for the mo
ment." Ruff answered. Walk dow
this corridor with me- Do you MIND
talking all the time, please? 1t VII
sound more natural, and ! want u
listen"
The young American and his part
ner had found a more retired sea
now, about three-ouarters OF the wa
down the pillared veHtibule which Dor
dered the ballroom. He was bendint
over his companion with an air OF un
mistakabie devotion. but 1T was sh
who talked. Che seemed, indeed. Z
have a good deal TO say to him. TIT
slim white fingers of one hand PLAYED