The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1912-07-17

faintest instincts of one. Let's go over to
that cafe again, and you let your imagina-
ton work while talk to Yvette!"
Bacon sat moodily at the little table while
Charrington chartered with the girl in a
strange mixture of French and English.
Bacon paid them little attention. He had
gloomy thoughts of the future. After all,
he confessed to himself, he was a tremen-
dous greenhorn. He wished for a bit of
Strolbof's easy confidence. He a diplo-
matt Probably Charrington was right; he
lacked the first instincts of one. He would
have to send report of the fasco to Wash
ington--and they would read between the
lines. In the course of fifteen or twenty years
he would probably be clerk more or less like
Jones. Not altogether like Jones-BaCon'
self-respect fingered long enough to add
that much. He became djmly conscious
that Charrington and the girl were talking
about him.
"Our friend Bacon here" Charrington
was saying gaily, is in the deuce of a boat.
He is confronted with all the diplomatic
strength of the Russias-and he is very
much scared"
"Not Eat leetle Strolboff oh, mol"
cried Yvette with a smile. Charrington
nodded.
"The very samen he confessed, and then
plunged into a contorted description of the
situation as though he were the last person
in the world to be affected. Now" he
concluded, "what would you suggest,
Yvette?"
The girl stood leaning against the wall,
her big, black eyes shifting saucily from
Bacon to her questioner, her pink fingers
playing with the edge Of the table-cloth.
She spoke the first bit of familiar common
place which popped into her head.
"Ckerche5 Ia femmel" she said quickly,
showing all her teeth in dazzling smile at
Bacon
"Perfect!" shouted Charrington, pound
ing the table in delight. you hear,
Bacon?'
From outside there sounded suddenly the
suffering of a ragged volIey of shots.
"Here!" yelled Charrington in the door
way, that shootings down at the pier!
Come on, Bacon, this things getting seri-
ous!"
Don't bother me-" objected Bacon,
mildly, Il want to think"
ooh, damn your thoughts" snorted
Charrington, and went galloping down the
street.
"Yvette," Bacon said quickly, "you're a
genius! You're the queen Of trumps in The
Valny Affair." Now listen! Go and get
your best clothes on, and long cloak Put
a veil over your faCe-a good thick one
When you're dressed, go out the back door
and over to the American consulate. You
know it?"
The girl nodded.
Good" exclaimed Bacon. "When you
get there-stay there! Don't pay any at
tention to Jones; he may drop dead with
surprise, but that won't matter Do you
understand"
Again the girl nodded, and Bacon started
toward the door on the run, but stopped
short
"Can you speak anything but French and
English?" he inquired sharply.
se Elm 5Oenig deutsck," admitted Yvette in
a trembling tone.
"Thank God for making AIsatians!"
muttered Bacon. "Wsll, when you get to
the consulate, you speak nothing but Ger
man to anyone but me. Now hurry"
Twenty minutes later Charrington
stormed into the consulate. He found
Bacon seated at his desk placidly smoking
his pipe. In the corner of the room sat a
woman, rather loudly but fashionably
dressed, and deeply yelled. She held a
handkerchief in her hand in the manner of
one who has either wept OF expects to weep.
Here, you one horse diplomat"
stormed Charr,rgton, ''you've got to come
out Of your hole and do something, or I'll
make noise higher up, That Russians
been shooting at my men when they at
tempted TO run lot of peasants on board
and one of my men got pinked in the arm!
This is no joke-understand! There's men
and money involved here!"
Bacon looked at the raging man with the
air of a patriarch frowning on an angry
child.
cit is the purpose of the consular and
diplomatic services" he announced POM
pously, "to care for the interests of the
American government and American citizens
in foreign lands. The machinery OF the ser
vice, Mr. Charrington, is already IN motion
in regard to your matter, and the acting
consul looks for a speedy adjustment OF
your difficulties"
Charrington had raised one list IN the air
to relieve himself of more superheated
speech. As Bacon commenced to speak, he
slowly lowered his arm, and his jaw
dropped.
"My secretary" Bacon continued ur-
L. n poFo fO To-+o;r,