Mrs. Grundy. (Tracy City, Tenn.) 1903-1930, 1911-05-04

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He bowed. The women. hesitating |
In their embarrassment rose and
walked away, leaving the half-dozen
men standing in circle.
Il find myself In an awkward po
sition," began the minister, slowly, Il
am guest of your club and | should
never dream of saying what | mus
say, were m~ own personal AFFAIRS
alone involved Let me urge that
no one leave unth have done.
For tense moment he was silent,
Then he went on:
Gentlemen, while we were talking
together here, 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.
Il mus even open myself to the
charge of abusing your hospitality
rather than let the matter pass. II |
could only make you understand how
grave it is"-he was brilliantly impress
sive. Just the right shade of re-
luctance 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, excel
lency," exclaimed one of the men,
u am aware of that. But l am
obliged to ask you not to dismiss 1t
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 1t. Cen
tlemen, mus ask Mr.. Orme whether
he has the papers"
Orme saw that the minister's bold
stroke was having its effect. He de-
cided quickly to meet 1t with frank
ness. THE papers to which his ex-
cellency refers he said quietly. ARE
in my pocket
Several of 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 stea
them from me. They have failed, ant
J now he is making last attempt By
trying to persuade you that they be
long to him."
; Il submit that this smart answe
does not satisfy my charge" cried thu
minister.
do you really wish to go further?
demanded Orme. Would you like M
to explain to these men what thos
: papers really mean?"
/ IF you do that, you betray my coun
I try's secrets"
. Orme turned to the others. Hi
| excellency and are both guests here,
!. he said Leaving his official position
out of the question, my word must g.
as far as his. assure you that h
;. has no claim at all upon the paper
!, in my pocket"
THAT is not true!"
4 The minister's words exploded in
sharp staccato.
s in this country" said Orme, calm
4 ly, I'VE knock men down for wora
t like that In Japan, perhaps, the II
can be passed with mpunfty."
q Gentlemen, ask that Mr.. Orm
d be detained" exclaimed the mlniste
s furiously.
ho Iafa catd
The other men were whisperin
r among themselves, and at last one c
q them stepped forward as spokesman
n This is serious matter for th
n club" he said. Il suggest, Mr.. Orm'
n that we go to the library"-he glance
e significantly at the other groups o
/, the veranda-"where no one can owe
q hear us, and talk the matter owe
It quietly"
But that will exactly fit in with Il
a. scheme" exclaimed Orme, heatedl
"He knows that, in the interests (
4. our own country"-he hazarded this
d 81 must be at certain place befoi
D. midnight. He will use every NEAR
n to delay me--even to charging n
y with theft"
rs What is that" Bessie Wallin
ut hams voice broke In upon them. :
any one daring to accuse Bob Orme
,e In her hong, gray silk motor cloa
!" with the filmy chiffon veil bour
lie about her hat, she startled them. Ill
re an apparition.
The spokesman explained. His e
|" cellency says that Mr.. Orme hi
stolen some papers from him"
ne Then his excellency is at fault
a said Bessie, promptly Il vouch f
II Mr.. Orme. He is Toms best frien
err and Tom Is one of the governors
the club. Come, Bob"
She turned away decisively, al
40 Orme recognized the advantage 81
IN. had given him, and strobe after he
From noises behind him he gather
ID. that the men were holding the mi
If lister back by main force.
he CHAPTER XVIII.
rn The Goal.
| x,o, onno{pr tha AZ