Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-06-25

N4AAx Am <AxA-NOutluuCV.
With a flourish OF his hands he sat
down, turning with an air OF satisfaction
to look over the audience. That 1t was
warranted was only too evident: men
nodded approval and women Whispered
together while glancing my way. Truly.
my story was unsupported and my wit
nesses absent: probably, as Pilon said, it
was q lie: for had I not been friendly
with the German, who was an enemy Of
France? Were enemies. In truth, ever
friendly? There was no one to say that
the map was American. no one besides
myself. 1t was very strange an Ameri-
can map should have been written in Ger
man, but not at all strange that a French
map made to sell across the Rhine should
be SO written. A buzz went throughout
the room. and now and again i could
catch a word to show me their thoughts.
The slightly favorable impression which
had won by my account had been rap
idly dispelled by Pilon. to leave in its
stead one distinctly inimical to my in
terests.
1 gazed at Betty. Her lips were firmly
set. her eyes blazed scorn. When her
look met mine she smiled q smile OF
steadfast trust As for the others. they
displayed various feelings: Muriel sat
with lips parted, staring straight ahead
of her, wonder upon her face. wonder
that q drama had been played upon the
island almost before her sight and she
had seen 1t not: Senior Del Hervalle was
complacent. almost Indifferent: Davis. the
secretary, sat immobile. only his eyes be-
tokening eagerness of attention; rubbing
elbows with him was Stevens. the man Of
Moore House. who remained stolid ana
unbiinking. Jean leaned against the wall.
eying Esper, and Esper smiled down his
nose. while Pilon, now that he had shot
a. first arrow, sat back enjoying his tri-
umph, and the inn woman knitted on as
il alone.
M Woodwork. with your permission.
will look over the notes to see that no
points have been omitted Surcon said.
Certainly said ].
AS l have already stated numberless
times, what Senior Del Hervalle next
would do was always the unexpected.
Possibly he perceived that l was bound
to link his name with my defense: 1t was
inevitable: possibly he only thought to
disarm any statement which I should
make concerning him. He rose all at
once, bowed to the mayor. to myself and
to the people, and begged the favor OF
few words.
I had mentioned his name, he stated,
thoughtfully, and while he was a disin-
terested spectator and an envoy from an
other country, mere visitor to America
under the protection extended to foreign
officials by the United States. yet he did
not wish any shadow Of misconduct to
rest upon his name. That he had dis
covered by accident that I possessed a
map Of one Of Frances fortresses was
true: how or where had obtained 1t was
a marvel which only could explain.
While venezuela was his adopted coun-
trN yet his heart was with mother
France. He had called upon me to per-
suade me to return the map to Paris and
save the honor Of the French people, had
talked with my servant, talked with me,
but found me obstinate. OF the German
he knew nothing, save that he had been
present upon the island. When 1 first
met him, Senior Del Hervalle. / had ap-
arently mistaken him for some other per-
son. but that he had never beheid me be-
fore coming to Lavouche was q fact, be-
cause he had been in Venezuela for five
years. as Mr.. Moore, his host, could
testify.
He had often talked with me. attempt
ing to disabuse my mind of my error OF
mistaken identity. but it had persisted
Not only had 1T persisted, it had in
creased. l associated him with strange
happenings in district somewhere far
west, of which he had never heard. Ny
stories were strange and violent. He had
liked me, Charles. l was strong and hand
some. But-he paused, looking at the
floor. while his fat little face grew sad
but he had come to the conclusion after
much observation that | was the victim
Of Authorization in which I conceived
many strange. impossible things. Because
of this, perhaps, there had risen the con-
fusion Of the map and the killing OF the
man: his regret and sorrow were pro-
found: his mouth would never have
necessary for the defense Of his honor as
an ambassador of Venezuela and be-
cause Of his love for France. All, his
love for la belle France was undying.
with respect to the circumstances ap-
peared, God help me. to have just
touch of madness. And spreading his
coat tails he sat down. folded his fat
little arms and rested his chin upon his
breast in compassion.
Betty stared at him with Mortified eyes:
her father scrutinized his own pink finger
nails carefully. The fisher folk sat ST.
lent with open mouths.
1.-The honorable ehvoy's distinguished
regrets should be recorded said l, dry
ly. "Lavouche will have something to
treasure" And / saw a ghost of smile
on Mr.. Moore's lips.
THAT is true. Enter that the gentle
man believes M. Woodwork mad" Sur
Senior Del Hervalle lifted a gentle, pro-
testing hand. but ventured no further
speech.
"It is to be regretted that we have not
the presence of your friend, the lieu
tenant, and Of your servant to complete
the testimony concerning the map" the
mayor continued. consulting the papers
before him. rs there good reason for
their absence?"
Very"
Possibly YOU would wish to enter the
reason In the record. All should be COM
plete and In order, thus we can form a
correct opinion
LAS you like" said /.
But the mayor turned to the boat
maker.
'.Take q fresh sheet, Clerk Gaspard
Now. NJ. Woodwork, we are ready
I looked over the audience and out Of
the door, with my thoughts flashing
across the island to my old servant. my
friend and companion. who lay senseless
and wounded sorely.