Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-11-24
CHAPTER XXXV.
Bellamy's Success.

Late that afternoon the hall porter at
the Milan Hotel. the commissionaire and
the chief maitre d'hotel from the cafe.
who happened to be In the hall, together
with several others around the place who
knew Stephen Laverick by sight, were
treated to an unexpected surprise. A
large closed motor car drove up to the
front entrance and several men descend
ed, among whom was Laverick himself.
He nodded to the hall porter. whose sa-
lutte was purely mechanical. and making
his way without hesitation to the interior
OF the hotel, presented his receipt at the
cashiers desk and asked for his packet.
ment. He did not, for the moment, no
tfce that the two men standing immedi-
ately behind bore the stamp of plain
clothes policemen. He had only a few
minutes ago finished reading the report
Of Laverick's examination before the
magistrates and his remand until the
morrow upon the charge of murder. His
knowledge Of English law was by no
means perfect, but he was at least aware
that Laverfck's appearance outside the
purlieus Of the prison was an unusual
happening.
Your packet. sir" he repeated. in
amusement. why. this is Mr.. Laverick
himself. is it not?''
~ Certainly" was the quiet reply. Il am
Stephen Laverick.'
The clerk called the head cashier. who
also stared at Laverick as though he
were a ghost. They whispered together
in the background for moment and their
faces were a study In perplexity. OF Law
erick's identity. however. there was no
manner Of doubt. Besides, the presence
of what was obviously a very ample es-
cort somewhat treasured them. The cash
Ter himself came forward.
1--WE shall be exceedingly glad, Mr..
Laverick,'' he said, dryly, Ito get rid Of
your packet. Your instructions were that
we should disregard all orders to hand it
over to any person whatsoever, and m "
say that they have been strictly adhered
to. We have. however. had two applica-
lions In your name this morning"
'They were both forgeries, Laverick
declared.
The cashier hesitated. Then he leaned
across the broad mahogany counter to-
ward Laverick. One Of the men who APP
peared to form part Of the escort de-
tached himself from them and approach
ed a few steps nearer.
"This gentleman is your friend. sir?"
the cashier asked, glancing toward him.
HE is my solicitor" Laverick answered,
land is entirely in my confidence. II you
have anything to tell me. l should like
Mr.. Bellamy also to hear"
Bellamy, who was standing a little in
the background, took his place by LAYER
ick's side. The cashier. who knew him
by sight, bowed.
Beside these two forged orders. SIR
he said, turning again to Laverick, I'VE
have had man who took room in the
hotel leave a small black bag here, which
document safe. My assistant had &C
cepted 1t and was actually locking 1t up
when he noticed a faint sound inside
which he could not understand. The bag
was opened and found to contain an in
fernal machine which would have ex-
ploded in quarter Of an hour
Bellamy drew his breath sharply be-
tween his teeth.
1--WE should have thought Of that" he
exclaimed. softly. That's Kahn's work."
II seem to have given you great deal
of trouble" Laverick remarked quietly.
II gather however, from what you say.
that my packet Is still in your possess
sion?''
have two detectives from Scotland Yard
here at the present moment. though. AMI
We had almost decided to place it in their
charge for greater security"
ut will be we'll taken care of from
now, 1 promise you. Laverick declared.
The cashier and his clerk led the way
into the inner Office. At their invitation
Laverick and his solicitor followed and
few yards behind came the two plain
clothes policemen. Bellamy and the SUPER
packet placed in Laverick's hands. He
passed 1t on at once to Bellamy. and i'm
mediately afterward the doorway behind
was thronged with men. apparently ordi-
nary loiterers around the hotel. They
made slow and exceedingly cautious
exit. Once outside Bellamy turned to
Laverick with outstretched hand.
EAU revoir and good luck, old chap"
he said. heartily. II think you'll find
things go your way all right tomorrow
morning.
He departed, forming one Of a some
what singular cavalcade-two Of his
friends on either side. two in front and
two behind. 1t had almost the appear
stepped into a closed motor car. Three
or four men were lounging on the pave
ment and there was some excited wfis-
pering, but no one actually interfered. AS
soon as they had left the courtyard
Iaverick and his solicitor. with his own
they had arrived and drove back to Bow
street. Very few words were exchanged
during the short journey His solicitor.
however. babe him good night cheerfully.
and Laverick's bearing was by no means
the bearing of man in despair.
In Downing street within the next half
an hour a somewhat remarkable little
gathering took place. The two men chiefly
responsible for the destinies of the nation
the prime minister and the secretary OF
state for foreign affairs-sat side by side
before a small table. Facing them was
Bellamy, and spread out in front were
those few pages Of foo'scap. released
from their envelope a few minutes ago
for the first time since the hand OF the
great chancellor himself had pressed
down the seal. The foreign minister had
just finished a translation for the benefit
Of his colleague. and the two men were
silent. as men are in the presence OF big
events.
"Bellamy," the prime minister said
slowly, "you are willing to stake, pre-
sumo, your reputation upon the authen-
ITCHY Of this document?''
"My honor and my life. II you will
Bellamy answered. earnestly. That is
no copy which you have there. On the
contrary. the handwriting is the hand-
writing of the chancellor himself"
The prime minister turned silently to-
ward his colleague. The latter, whose
eyes still seemed glued to those Hateful
words, looked up.
IAN can say is this" he remarked.
impressively. that never In my time have
seen written words possessed OF SO much
significance. One moment. If you please.
He touched the bell and his private
secretary entered at once from an ad-
joining room.
"Anthony," he said. telephone to the
Great Western Railway Company at Pad
dington. Ask for the station master in
my name and see that special train is
held ready to depart for Windsor in half
an hour Tell the station master that all
ordinary traffic must be held up. but that
the destination Of the special is not to be
divulged.''
The young man bowed and withdrew.
1.-THE more consider this matter" the