The Washington herald., 1912-06-02


and it was only when I arrived hers
that I fancied the envelope seemed
lighter. 1 went of by myself and tors
it open. There was nothing inside but
half newspaper"
what about the envelope 7"' Peter
Ruff asked. That must have been the
same sort of one as you had used OF
you would have noticed iii"
IT was, the Honorable Maurice an
swered.
1T was a sort which you kept in
| your room?"
yes" the young man admitted.
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
1t was his evening OF" the Honor
able Maurice answered. Il let him put
out my things and go at 7 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 sew
eral moments, but q glance into his sis
ter's appealing face decided him.
1T was our Official reply to a secret
communication from Russia respecting
"a certain matter in the Balkans"
Peter Ruff nodded.
Where is Count Won HernS he
asked, abruptly.
Inside, dancing" the Honorable
Maurice answered.
Il must use a telephone at once,
Peter Ruff said. ASK one of the ser
wants here where can find one"
Peter Ruff was conducted to a
gloomy waiting room, on the table of
which stood a small telephone instru-
ment. He closed the door, but he was
only absent for a very few minutes.
When he rejoined Lady Mary and her
brother they were talking together in
agitated whispers. The latter turned
toward him at once.
do you mean that you suspect Count
Won HernS he asked, doubtfully. "He
is a friend of the Danish ministers,
and every one says that he's such q
good chap. He doesn't seem to take
the slightest interest in politics-spends
nearly all his time hunting or playing
polo"
Il don't suspect any one" Peter Ruff
answered. Il only know that Count
Won Hern is an Austrian spy, and that
he took your paperl Has he been out
Of your sight at all since you rejoined
him in the sitting-room? l mean to
say-had he any opportunity of leav-I
ing you during the time you were din
ing together, or did he make any calls
en- route on the way to the Savoy or
from the Savoy here@
The young man shook his head.
He has not been out of my sight
for a second" he declared.
who is the other man-Jermyu? ?
Peter Ruff asked. Il never heard Of
him"
"An American-cousin of the duch-
ess," the Honorable Maurice answered.
He could not have had the slightest
interest in the affair"
Please take me into the ball room"
Peter Ruff said to Lady Mary. Your
brother had better not come with US. |
want to be as near the Count Won Hern
as possible"
They passed into the crowded rooms,
unnoticed- They found progress diff
hcult, and Lady Mary felt her heart
sink as she glanced at the little jeweled
watch which hung from her wrist Sud-
denly Peter Ruff came to a standstill.
Don't look for a moment" he said,
but tell me as soon as you can-who
is that tall young man, like Goliath,
talking to the little dark woman? You
see whom l mean?"
Lady Mary nodded, and they passed
on.
How strange that you should askp
she whispered in his ear. That is Mr..
Jermyn."
They were on the outskirts now of
the ballroom itself
Please turn round and come back"
Peter Ruff said. Il want to see those
two again. Walk down this corridor
with me. Do you mind talking all the
time, please? 1t will sound more nat
Iral, and ] want to listen"
The young American and his partner
lad found a more retired seat now,
lbeut three-quarters of the way down
he pillared vestibule which bordered
he ballroom. He was bending over his
with an air of unmistakable
devotion, but it was she who talked.
The slim white fingers of one hand
,layed all the time with a string of I
pearls. Her dark, soft eyes ;
iashed into his. A delightful smile how
red at the corners of her lips All the
ime she was talking and he was listen
ng Lady Mary and her partner pass .
d by unnoticed. At the end of the YES
ibule they turned and retTaced their {
teps. Peter Ruff was very quiet-he
,ad caught a few Of those rapid words. (