The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1912-08-04

| ION walked across the room and CAREFUL
ly weighed the packet.
"Weil?" de Lamborne cried. why do
you do that? What is wrong?"
The Baron turned and faced him.
"My friend" he said. this is not the
same packet"
The AMBASSADOR stared at him inered-
ulously.
"You are jestingr' he exclaimed.
Miracles do not happen. The thing is
imgosible.'
happened de Grost replied, swiftly.
This packet con scarcely have gained
two ounces in the night. Besides, the
seal is fuller, have an eye for these
details"
De Lamborne leaned against the back
of the table. His eyes were little
wild, but he laughed hoarsely.
I'VE fight, then, against the creatures
of another world" he declared. mo
human being could have opened that
safe last night
The Baron hesitated.
Monsieur de Lamborne," he said,
"the room adjoining is your wife's?"
at is the salon of Madame" the am
bassador admitted.
What are the electrical appliances do
ing thereE the Baron demanded. Don't
look at me like that, de Lamborne. Re
member that / was here before you ar
rived"
my wife takes an electric massage
every day." Monsieur de Lamborne an
swered, in a hard, unnatural voice. In
| what way is Monsieur le Baron con-
cerned in my wife's doings?"
II think that there need be no an
swer to that question" de Grost said,
quietly. 1T is greater tragedy which
we have to face
Quick as lightning. the Frenchman's
hand shot out. De Grost barely avoided
the blow.
you shall answer to me for this. sill"
! de Lamborne cried. 1T is the honor Of
my wife which you assail.'
Il maintain only" the Baron answer
ed, that your safe was entered from
that room. A search will prove it"
There will be no search there" de-
Lamborne declared, hercely. Il am the
Ambassador of France. and my power
under this roof is absolute. / say that
you shall not cross that threshold"
De Grost's expression did not change.
Only his hands were suddenly out
stretched with a curious gesture-the
| four fingers were raised, the thumbs de-
pressed. Monsieur de Lamborne COL
lapsed.
Il submit" he muttered 1T is you
who are the master. Search where you
will"
Monsieur has arrived:' the woman
demanded. breathlessly.
The proprietor of the restaurant him.
self bowed a reply. His client was evil
IDENTIFY we'll known to him. He answered
her in French-French, with a very gut
] tural accent.
I Monsieur has assembled some few
minutes ago. Myself, l have not had
the pleasure of wishing him bon aperitif,
but Fritz announced his coming"
| The women drew little sigh of re-
lief. A vague misgiving had troubled
her during the last few hours. She
raised her veil as she mounted the mar
row staircase which led to the one
private room at the Hotel de Lor-
| raine.
She entered. without tapping, the room
at the head OF the stairs. pushing open
the ill-varnished door with its white
curtained top. At first she thought tina,
the little apartment was empty.
Are you there" she exclaimed, ad-
vancing a few steps.
| The figure of a man glided from be-
| hind the worn screen close by her side
and stood between her and the door,
| "Madame" de Grost said bowling
low
| Even then she scarcely realized that
she was trapped.
your she cried. you. Baron? But
do not understand. You have fol-
lowed me here"
"On the contrary, Madame" he an
swered, Il have preceded you
her natural astuteness. The man had
employed spies to watch her. He had
lost his head. 1t was an awkward mat
held out her hands.
Monsieur" she said, "let me beg you
now to go away. If you care to. come
and see me this evening. ! will explain
everything. II is a little family affair
which brings me here"
"A family affair, Madame. with Ber-
nadine, the enemy of France" de Grost
declared, gravely.
| SHC SOlIdpScu lIllSCIdUIy, IcI IilSCIs
grasping at the air. the cry which broke
from her lips harsh and unnatural. Be-
fore he could tell what was happening
she was on her knees before him.
Spare me-" she begged, trying to
seize his hands
Madame" de Grost answered, 81 am
not your judge. You will kindly hand
over to me the document which you are
carrying"
She took it from the bosom of her
dress. De Grost glanced at it, and placed
it in his breast pocket.
"And nowH she faltered.
De Grost sighed-she was a very
beautiful woman
Madame" he said. "the career of a
spy is, as you have doubtless sometimes
realized, a dangerous one"
1T is finished" she assured him,
breathlessly. Monsieur le Baron, you
will keep my secret? Never again, l