Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-06-02

down through his dwelling, was an affair
that must have aroused his establishment
and could not go unchallenged. Clearly
there was only one course to follow, but
how much to tell-ah, that was the trou-
BILE. So, with medtative feet, l made my
way to the door.
The actors in the scene which had oc-
Cured in the hall. with the exception of
myself. still stood upon the spot. while
beyond them servants heads showed
crowding doors. Davis was the center Of
interest now, but spoke briefly, evidently
under the restraint OF Del Hervalle's eau
tioning eye. Undoubtedly the envoy
would have much preferred to make ex-
plantations himself. but of what had oc-
Cured on the lawn between Davis and
me he was ignorant and must of neces-
sty patiently accept minor role l re-
| moved my cap and stepped in. forgetful
that I still had all the appearance of
ruffian. The servant who had assisted |
in my capture at once advanced to meet
me and renew his frustrated police duty.
but Mr. Moore waved him aside.
WHO are you?' he demanded.
"I-why, Charles Woodworth.'' / stated.
His eyebrows lifted the fraction of an
inch: a diplomat, however, Is always
master of himself, or supposed to be. so
with a keen glance he scrutinized my
face, then extended his hand in recogni-
ton.
, $50 you are-but somewhat decorated.
Your presence is welcome. as we are seek
Have You turned burglar?''
NO; it was 1 who was robbed.
My servant and Mr.. Davis state that
they came round the house, saw man
skulking across the lawn and behind
bush, and captured him
II was the man. l answered, promptly.
THE evidence of your face points that
way
Let me explain. AS | approached the
house / perceived this gentleman
bowed to the envoy-"and paused to look
at him. / had met him under other and
less estimable circumstances, and natural
ly was interested at finding him here on
the Island of Lavouche. / desired to OBJ
serve him before introducing myself anew,
in order to make sure l was not laborng
/, under mistake. Then these other two
! men fell in an avalanche upon my back
and hailed me here.
You knew Senior Del Hervalle, you
say?'
VERY we'll indeed. but under another
| alias. At that time. which was two years
ago this summer, he was mechanic in
the west. Jack Maitland also shares his
acquaintance.
Mr. Moore turned to DUrville. This
is peculiar. yet evidently case of mis-
taken identity senior. You We're in Venez-
| uela at the time. were you not?'
"Of a certainty, yes, as you know,
Senior Moore
Mr.. Moore turned TO me. Charles.
you've confused my guest with some one
peculiar contretemps. Senior Del Hervalle
has been in Venezuela for years, as Presi-
| dent Castro himself told me, and was
born there of French parentage, later
educated in France.
| turned and looked DI-rville full in the
eyes; his past had, it now appeared. been
effectually buried with the connivance of
the president whom he served. and who
would find such an amending of the
record very easy to contrive As for the
little Frenchlnan-consu mmate actor!-he
smiled at me blandly, even kindly, as ex-
perience smiles forgiveness on the i'm
petuous errors of youth. Thereupon, turn
ing my eyes back to EliZabeth's father, /
perceived, SO far as l was able to judge
| from his composed features, that evident
| ly he was convinced of my mistake. This
was no time to arraign the envoy for high
crimes: that were folly-his alibi was too
perfect. Well. why not carry out the
farce until a more favorable wind blew?
"A mistake it SEEMS i agreed, with
simulated thoughtfulneSs. Then. with an
inspiration: How about appropriating
my paper, senor?''
"Ah, that. 1t is a map of one OF my
country's forts-VeneZuela's fort. l must
| beg Of you to give it to me-
The sly fox, My inspiration had given
him a chance, and the audacity of his
move held me for moment speechless.
What is this, Charles?" Mr.. Moore
asked, quickly "A map-what map and
what fort?"
II have a paper in my pocket which
the senior sought to take from me- In
deed, he did take it from me. Is it likely
that / should have any of Venezuela's
plans Of fertilization on my person? It's
another case of mistaken Identity, and
this time on the part of Senior D'Ur-Her-
vale Mistaken identity seems to be
contagious in Moore House tonight
Mr.. Moore was too adept in this par
ticular business of yelled talk not to read
an underlying meaning. He gazed at me
sharply, glanced once at D'Urville, once
at Davis, then remarked:
You have a map?'
yes, map.
"Of a fortifcation?"
l paused. That must decline to an
swer."
Il fear so, Mr.. Moore
"Or ask how you obtained it?
For the present at least, while so
much mistaken identity exists. My ex-
plantations would sound unconvfncing.
Very remarkable, this occurrence"
And he took pace or two back and
forth.
I now had time to regard the others,
who at this time were more onookers
than participants in the scene. Davis
stood on one side. expressionless, save for
his eyes; farther back was the servant
who had done his duty SO we'll in Selling
me: on one side by hall tree; Elizabeth
and her friend listened with large eyes. |
The latter was a brown-haired girl OF
about EliZabeth's size, pretty, with vi
vacious expression upon her face. now
emphasized by intense interest. Fat little
D'Urviile continued benevolent, slightly |
thoughtful guileiess
/ gingerly rubbed my scratched cheek |
and considered: unlike the fisherman of
the Arabian tale, I had not succeeded In |
persuading the GENT back into the jar |
and he had escaped abroad: In other
words, the map was playing the deuce!
1t may seem strange that. focused as
were all our minds on this paper / pres |
entity became occupied with consideration
OF another subject to the exclusion Of the |
other This was Betty. The suggestion |
came creeping into a cell somewhere in |
my brain to take note how she consid- |
cred nv presence, nay, to be accurate. /
nv performance; for my precipitation
into Moore House so soon after her cold
dismissal of the afternoon could not be
without effect upon her. However, she
was not looking In my direction: she was
gazing intently at her fathers chief guest.
a little wrinkle creasing her white fore
head gazing with an intentness as much |
of mind as Of look, and I idly wondered
what could be the cause. Her fair COM
panion murmured an aside to her, but |
Elizabeth did not answer, nor was a |
repetition better favored. Clearly some /
thing deeply engaged her
Then Mr.. Moore finished his pacing
.sWe're certain of the following facts" |
he said (which brush away the confu- |
sion: Mr.. Davis mistook you for bur-
glar.''
"Quite true: for a spy. in fact
'And you mistook Senior Del Hervalle |
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