Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1913-12-24
CONTINUED ERO 4 PAGE SIX
NARRATIVE OF
CAPTAIN ADAMS
'Detecfve-D Diplomat 81
BY 81. M. EGBERT

dlcament to my second and beg that,
in the event Of my death, he would
take the letter from my pocket and
convey it personally to Sir Edward
Grey.
And then, as my lips were about to
frame the request, looked up sudden.
ly and saw something in his eye so
menaclng, so Traugnt with hatred, that
intuitive1y the entire plot burst upon
my comprehension. Burgin and Rava-
chol were in league; they had lured me
here by trickery, knowing that, coming
from the Spanish king, should in all
probability be the bearer of dispatches
of vital nature. Now there remained
for me nothing but to comport myself
without fear, to win if possible, even
against trickery, and, at any rate, not
to give Burgin the satisfaction of
knowing that what he sought actually
reposed in the bosom of my shirt
At four o'clock, in a shady dell in the
very heart of the Bots, Burgin and
awaited the approach of my antagonist.
To my surprise Burgin manifestly
took my part, insisted upon choice Of
weapons, placed me where the sun
would not shine in my eyes. Was he,
after all, friendly? Or was Ravachol
so sure of victory that he could af-
ford to play fairly with me?
We crossed swords, the letter in my
bosom burning like cinder of fire.
On that issue depended-how many
hopes? Ravachol thrust in carte,
tierce-I parried with difficulty. From
the first moment perceived that was
hopelessly outclassed. Every moment
his assaults grew fiercer. The brief in
tervals, which only wearied me, seemed
realized that I was at his mercy. And
still I parried that fatal thrust which,
as I well knew, could not be long de-
layed.
1t was then that 1 realized that Rava-
chol was playing with me, waiting to
| weary me still further before taking
his revenge
His eyes seemed to hypnotic me as
he darted agilely before me, the very
| incarnation Of grace and cruelty.
| Across his face, tanned by the sun, the
| blow that had dealt him seemed to
| stand out like white veal. The
breath came painting between my lips
A couple Of spectators, who found out
our retreat, drew near and watched
each bout eagerly. l could read pity
in their eyes for me-pity for my de-
feat For they did not know that thu
was a duel unto the death.
And then I saw in my enemy's eyes
the determination that he had arrived
where we go. Let US try America to
gether. England has dispensed witt
me-
What was my amaZement, then, t,
i receive an urgent summons from ST
Edward Grey to meet him at the fol
eign office on the following day! Surel
the theft of the document and the fai
ure of my undertaking had by nov
been made manifest. But 1 could no
shirk my fate. With heavy heart
went to the appointment.
The moment that entered the roor
the foreign secretary came up to m
!, quickly, his hand oustretched.
Captain Adams, you have bee
wounded in the government service,
he said. 1T is as meritorious as tn
field of battle. I have mentioned it t
/ the king. Your services will not be fol
} gotten.
No, do not say a word" he conti1
} ued. checking me as was about t
} speak. 81 know what you would ga.
Captain ADAMS, diplomacy puts men
queer duties. Let me confess frankl,
then, that you were never meant
/ reach Paris"
"What?" l cried.
1.-THE treaty that you carried was
false one, to deceive the emissaries {
/ Germany. We were confident that 20
. could not escape them. And when 70
, did, it was necessary for the king {
: Spain to give you a further fraudule1
letter, to deceive the spies who beSt
you, SO that, as we could not enab
3 them to get you going. they shoul
get you coming.
D 'It was, of course, mover intende
: that you should put your life in jeopa
. dy, and we had not counted on til
: blood thirsty revenge of Ravachol, VIII
: knowing himself famous swordsma
: and smarting under defeat as well {
!, under the blow you gave him, doub
9 less, thought his opportunity for killir
j. you too good one to be passed. Ca
i tain Adams, you must forgive this su
f terfuge. We needed the services OF
gentleman of transcendent honesty ar
o simplicity Of character, who should
captured against his will. You hay