The Spectator., 1916-05-26

Letters Began to Form on the Blank
 Sheet.
 cooking. Then Jones and the reporter left the house, each quite aware that they were being followed. Near the Blank hotel they separated in order to confuse the stalker. He might dod- der and follow the wrong man. But 1t was evident that this time he had been directed to follow Jones; for he entered the hotel minute after Jones.
 Meantime a second spy, whom Jones had not seen, had observed the trans fer of the invisible writing and had immediately informed Braine, who was not far away. That his poisoned fruit had stricken down an outsider troubled him none at all. But that mysterious message he meant to have; 1t might be life and death affair, 1t | might be a clue to the treasure, or the whereabouts of Hargreave.
 Thus, while only one man followed Jones, several kept far eye on Jim. Jones seribbled his name on blank card and had it taken to the Russians room. The page eyed that card curi- ously. It was different from anything he had ever seen before. In one cor ner were written three or four words which resembled a cross between He brew and Greek.
 'Humph!" muttered the boy. "Whadda V know about that? Chick en scratches; but I guess the bell rings Roosian. On your way, Hor- tense," l., cried to the hall maid. who wanted look at the card Up [ tn room, sir. He'll see yuh!" The boy kept the silver salver extended ex- pectantly. but Jones went past with out apparently noticing the hint.
 The Russian was standing by win dow when Jones knocked and was bdden to enter.
 You are not Hargreave."
 "N ,ither are you the Russian min ister of police" urbanely.
 "Who are you?"
 q am Hargreaves confidential man. sir"
 The two men eyed each other eau tiously.
 You speak Russian?"
 No. I am able to scribble a few words; that is all"
 The Russian lit cigarette and smoked leisurely. He was in no hur- ry.
 "No, 1 cm not the minister; but l am his accredited agent. l am em- powered to bring back to Russia a man who is known here by the name of Braine. another by the name of Vroon. and a woman who calls her self a countess and unfortunately Is one. All I desire is some damaging proof against them that they are out laws in this country. The rest will be simple"
 "They have all three taken out nat uralization papers"
 The Russian waved his hand airily. "Once they are in Russia those docu- ments will never come to light. This man Braine, 1t has been learned, has long been in the pay of Prussia, and has given the general staff of that country many plans of our frontier Notifications. do not know what any one of the three looks like. That is why I sought Hargreave."
 T will gladly point them out to you" said Jones. rubbing his hands together, sign that he was greatly pleased.
 That will be very good of you, I'm sure" in a rumbling but perfectly intelligible English.
 And suddenly they all three will disappear?"
 Suddenly; and you may believe me that from that time on they'll be heard of never more."
 All this sounds extremely agree able to me. MT. Hargreave will be happy to hear that his long enforced hiding will soon come to an end"
 "All you have to do. sir. is to point them out to me-"
 Tt may take a week or ten days" My government has waited for ten years to gather in this delectable trio. A month. if you like"
 "The sooner the better. shall call this evening after dinner. We shall ' begin with Mir. Braine; and generally