The Washington herald., 1914-06-21

The man was apparently unaware that
anything unusual had happened. HI
was neatly and primly dressed. Th'
little hall was spotlessly bright anc
clean, there were fresh flowers in a bow
upon the small table, and pile ofwait-
ing letters there. Knox stood for sew
eral seconds. pensive. The man fell =
little back from the door. His man.
ners proclaimed him the perfectly
trained French servant. Monsieur
would like perhaps" he suggested, "tc
write note? 1t shall be given to Mr.
Neville Immediately on his return"
Have you any idea when that will
bel"
The man shook his head regretfully.
Monsieur Neville" he explained, "is
often upon the continent. He never
troubles to let US know when he re-
turns. Everything is always ready. He
might walk in at any moment"
Thank you very much" Knox re-
piled. Il won't trouble to write a note.
Sorry to have found him away"
The man bowed and stood with the
door open until Knox had retraced his
steps to where his taxicab was waiting.
He drove from there to Charing Cross
and caught the 2:ao train to Paris,
where for twenty-four hours he pur-
sued the obvious course of inquiries. He
called at Neville's hotel and spoke of
him at the cafes which he was aecus-
toned to frequent Hepaid his respects
to the embassy, where he found the am
bassador out, but renewed his acquain-
lance with Percival, the second secre-
tary.
"Queerest thing ever heard of about
Neville" the latter remarked.
IF he is i'll or anything" Knox re-
marked, cts rather lucky that he fin
ished his business here first"
"More than lucky" Percival agreed.
ITS big thing to change our cipher,
and this new one has taken an awful
time to prepare How long are you
staying in Paris?"
I'm off at once"
Better stay tomorrow and have a
round of golf at La Boulie. You used
to be rather hot stuff"
Tell you what l will do" Knox
promised as he buttoned up his coat Il
am interested in some new golf balls,
absolutely the best thing on the market.
If l send you out a dozen within the
next few days will you promise me to
try them at once?"
"RatherP Percival promised.
Knox arrived in London on the fol-
lowing morning and made his way at
once to Grosvenor Square. His uncle
received him with a grim smile.
NO luck, eh, young mani"
NO luck" Knox admitted.
well, WELL" Lord Tamworth said,
you must let me know what / owe you
for expenses. Smyta will be back from
ST. Petersburg in few days. Quite our
best man, Smyth. expect he will get
at the secret of Neville's disappearance
fast enough"
Knox nodded affably. Very intelli-
gent fellow, Smyth, should think, from
what have heard" he remarked. Hell
find Neville all right; that will be
trife."
"Will it indeedF Lord Tamworth
exclaimed sarcastically. Then, why
didn't you do it :"
Knox stared at hir blandly. But
did," he replied. 81 knew where Ne
vile was half an hour before l left you
he day before yesterday"
Lord Tamworth stood perfectly still
Tor moment.
"You discovered Neville?" he gasped.
Where? In Parish"
Knox shook his head. Il knew
where he was before left London,
,ir," he replied. Il only went over to
Paris as a matter of form and to make
little inquiry of the butler at the en-
,assy. Neville is in his own house in
Did Burlington street. He has been
here ever since he left you" II
Don't be an idiotI" Lord Tamworth
exclaimed. "He delivered the first por-
ion of the cipher at the embassy Tues .
lay night" Il