The Spectator., 1916-04-28


 sir. this Is not the hour for flip pancy," said the agent coldly.
 Braine made sign with his hand sign not observed by every one Instantly ParoF bent lowly. He rec ognized that the speaker was the ac- tual, not the nominal, head of the American branch.
 What are your suggestions?" in quired the nominal head from his chair, anxious to avoid clash be- tween the newcomer and the trucu- lent master of them all.
 T have been informed that Har- greave's daughter has never seen her father, not even a photograph of him, ' said Paroff, more amiably.
 We are absolutely certain that this is the case" said the nominal head, who was known as the presi- dent. But we tried one play in that direction, and it failed miserably."
 T have the story" replied Paroff. Tt was clumsily done. The ruse was an old one.
 Braine was frank enough to admit the truth of this statement, however much he disliked the admission. He nodded
 T have authority to take hand in this affair We cannot waste all sum- mer. Those government plans of the Notifications of the Panama are wait ing. There's your millions. But the fact remains that it is the law of the Black Hundred never to step down till absolutely defeated. The hidden million is but half; we must find and break this renegade Hargreave"
 If he lives" said Braine.
 Who can say one way or the other?' brusquely asked Paroff The fact that all your plans and schemes have come to naught should prove to you that you are not fighting a ghost. There is but one way to bring out the truth"
 And that is to make a captive of his daughter" supplemented Braine. And we have worked toward that end ceaselessly We are quite ready to listen to your suggestions, count
 And so am l." thought the man with his ear to the little hole in the ceiling above. And some day, my energetic friend, I'm going to pay you back for that bullet"
 Count Paroff cleared his voice and laid his plans before his audience.
 ITO act frankly and in the open, to go boldly to the Hargreave home and proclaim myself Hargreave. can disguise myself in manner that will at least temporarily fool the but Ter"
 Who has been with his master for habit, gesture, infection" interposed Braine. But proceed, count, proceed. You will remember the old adage; too many cooks"
 An, flashed back the count. but new cook?"
 Olga touched Braines arm warn ingly.
 You mean. then, that there has been talk in St. Petersburg of dispos- ing of some one?"
 "A good deal of talk, sir" haughtily. forgetting that he had bent humbly enough but a few moments gone.
 Very we'll; go on"
 Thought the man at the peephole above: There's another adage. When thieves fall out, then honest men get their dues. Yes. yes; proceed, pro- ceed,"
 Parof went on. "I shall, then, go frankly to the Hargreave house and claim my own. Meantime | leave to you the business of turing the butler away. Half an hour is all l need to bring that child here, to break the wall that stands between us and what We seek"
 "Is that so?" murmured Brainn Olga, l want you to play a trick on this handsome delegate-at-large I'm not very enthusiastic over his talk. want him humiiated All you have to do, he says, is to walk into the Hargreave house and walk out again.