The Raymer enterprise., 1911-01-05

room = piGe.racks, BOOKCASE, muslc
cabinet, Morris chair, leather lounge
and hat-topped table. nearly covered
with magazines. newspapers, and
some piles Of printed oncial docu-
ments.
A bungler would have taken delib.
crate pains to hide the treaty: but
Felix Oliver was no bungler, else had
he been bowled out by the cecret
service men. Nagel's modulations led
insensibly into the lovely Schumann
..Abenlied,' which he could have
played with his eyes shut.
Royingly his gaze scanned the room
and its furniture. A spot Of glaring
scarlet on little tabouret insistently
caught his gaze again and again, al.
most compelllngly. The "Abenlied"
came to its final dying cadences ere
he rose and went toward the corner
and bent over the spIotch Of vivid
color. 1t was richly.bound book
copy of Lafcadio Hearns' island
Days in Japan"
Nagel chuckled. It was like playing
a game of "Hotboiled beans" and he
was decidedly warm" What more
simply appropriate yet daring place
to hide document concerning Japan
than book on the island empire?
For there within the last cover re-
posed the stolen treaty.! Nagel grasped
the precious document and shrust It
into his breast pocket. Pars Of his
work was done, but not all. 1t rs-
NAMED for him to ascertain whether
the thief had already informed the
Bulgarian ambassador Of the contents
Of the treaty, or was merely dickering
with the representative Of the for
eign government regarding, its price.
He stole swiftly down the staircase.
walking with soft, cautious tread,
and gained the hallway unseen. The
next moment he was In the street,,
and boarded a passing car en- route for
the Bulgarian ambassadors residence.
Half an hour later he was In the
presence Of that august diplopat-r-aV
tall, dark man with papetratihg black
eyes which surveyed the BuHivants.
expert with curious intentnesss In a.
few brief words Nagel explained the
object Of his call.
WY name is Randall and come
from Mr.. Oliver" he said. shortly
after leaving here tonight he met with
a slight accident, slipped on the side
walk and fell. spraining his ankle. 4
am particular friend of his, and on.
calling at his apartments an hour ago..
found him suffering a good deal OF
pain and greatly upset because he will
be unable to keep an appointment
with you"
Nagel paused for an instant. 1t.
was chance shot he was making, and
he awaited the ambassadors reply
anxiously. If Oliver really had an.
other appointment with the would-be
purchaser Of the treaty, it was proof
that negotiations were still pending
and the secret not yet revealed.
Il am much obliged, Mr.-er--Ran'
DALI" said the diplomat suavely. "Mr.
Oliver had promised to call upon pe'
tomorrow. By the way, did your
friend mention the nature Of the bust.
ness which we were to discuss?" The
question was hurled at the Bullivants
sleuth with crisp suddenness and the
speaker eyed him sharply.
Nagel was equal to the occasion.
NO" he replied with convincing can.
dor. "Oliver merely asked me to call
here and deliver his message. His
house telephone was out of order, and
he was therefore unable to communi.
cate with you personally"
The ambassador reflected a moment.
"You can tell Mr.. Oliver that have
considered the matter carefully, and
will comply with his terms when he
gives me the information 1 require"
he said.
Nagel's heart throbbed exultantly.
1t was evident that the ambassador
WAS lSIOTdul vi tue COutcuto VI Su0
allimportant document now reposing
in his breast pocket. Bidding the
diplomat a respectful adieu, he hast
ened back to divers residence. That
worthy had not yet returned, tho
maid informed him.
81 found 1t little close upstairs,
and took the liberty Of letting NY.
self out for a short walk" explained
Nagel, in response to her look Of sur.
prise upon seeing the strange visitor
for the second time that night. III
you permit me, I will go upstairs again
and wait for Mr.. Oliver"
The maid assented. and Nagel
mounted the stairs to divers apart.
ments. Before many minutes had
passed, quick step sounded in the
corridor and a very much astonished
gentleman stood in the doorway. Con.
fronting him was Percy Nagel, holding
in his right hand folded official.look.
ing document. The secretary's nephew
attempted to bluster, demanding what
right Nagel had in his room.
Merely friendly call, Mr.. Oliver"
was the quiet response. "You recog.
nize this paper, presume, but shall
not ask you how IL came into your pos.
session because YOU would probably