Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1918-03-23

IppStS Ut W lllutIlntlEs anu ''' " '''N
nooses will be tightened. ',,-,- ,
He had stopped before Rizzio and
was scowling at him with eyes that
shot malevolence. Rzzto knew sone
thing OF Won Stromberg'S methods ana
was sure that he was merely trylng 70
intimdate him. to reduce him to com
sistency which would reveal hidden
weaknesses in texture; yet, KNOWING
this. Rizaio felt most uncomfortable' re
twrled his mustache and looked out OF
the window. but his glance came pack /
TO Won Stromberg's eyes which never
waVercd or changed in intensity as
though under the influence OF some
strange hypnotic attraction
"Nou know, of course" the old mans
harsh voice snapped at him., what Herr
Hammcrsley accuses you OF?
IL can imagine. ENcellena
"Itc says that you have been acting
for the English Government
Rzzio started up in alarm.
You do not for moment he-
lievc-"
Don't get excited. believe nothing
which do not wish to believe. But ne
tells very pretty story, Herr tizaio' -,
"lIc would" said RiZZio easily. "
will do him the credr Of saying that he
sldlful. But a lie will discover itself
in the end"
/ Exactly. | am glad YOU agree with
the lie in motion, The easiest way to
/ provoke a liar Is to put him upon the
defensive You and Hammersley shall
/ debate the matter. | shall be the judge
/ of the debate, We shall see what we shall
see
lie strobe to the table and was about
. to touch the bell when Rizzio broke in.
One moment, ENCellenz | should like
to know on what he bases his aCcusa-
/ ton"
"Humph, Not weakening. Rizzio"'
Hardly, ENCcllen2," the other smiled
ut viii not he difficult for me TO verify
Ilsrlt1nRTGlgNs
talk"
You need not fear. lie will talk
What | wanted to know, ENccllcnz.
was the nature. Of the Information re-
cetvod in the yellow packet Would you
permit -----?'
"Not yet. Herr Rizzio. not yet. Thc
contents of the message win come N
time, For the present there is quite
enough TO occupy Herr HammcrsIoy's
mind and yours
R2a.o shrugged. As YOU please I
would like to know. however, before you
summon him, whether his accusation is
based on my attempt upon his lifc."
Won Stromberg chuckicd. "ls not that
enough to prejudice man-if he were
Yes II he were honest" said Rizzio.
Did he have any authority for his be-
Yes Herr Eizzio." said the General
fixing liiz2to with his stare He told
me that Maxwell had learned II from
'"Ryncld :" Riazio started forward
quickly. "lIammerslcy is fool Have
/ no, told Excellcnz. that Ryncd knew
nothing whatever of my connection with
: the AFFAIR.""
Won Stromberg stretched his long arms
Herr Maxwell unfortunately. is
silent Captain ByticlG is in position
where the only questions that can be
put TO HIM viii be those at the gates of
heaven by his Maker"
He gave the bell on the table re.
sounding blow and Grinncd misChievi-
ouSly at Rzzo
You say that Herr Hammersley Is n
fool lie asserts that you are one.
shall now smoke "A cigar and decide for
myself which of YOU Is correct"
Ana, as the soldier entered, Tell Herr
, at once"
Il can only say. Excclcnz," said Riz
aio, when the man went out, that ] an
, willing to abide by your verdict"
Even though it should be unfavorablt
to yourSclf"' growled Won Stromhcrg.
That. EXCellcnz, is quite impossible
Il have known stranger things to hap
r pen. The worst aspect of your case Il
: that Herr Hammersley is here. Ther,
I was no need for him to come. You your
SELF admit that lie had only to sta,
n in England To devote his talents to
, more congenial occupation" Won Strom
berg pufed on his cigar and lsane,
across the table. can you tell me VIII
. Herr liammerslcy came To Germany
- Answer mo correctly, RiaziO. and | vii
a give you every masterpiece in Belgium.
y Rtzzip frowned into the fire.
r ~ cannot say" he replied. ~ hav
J. admitted that he has puzzled me. | caI
y only think of one thing. Iiammersly I
u Il type Of man who, under the guise o
o inetlicicnCy does all things we'll He /
u u sportsman, He would do such a thin
" for tn" love of adventure. because IN
9 danger, the excitement, appealed 4
5 him because 1t was the 'Sportiu
o thing"
i "a reason. Rzzio.'' mutiered Vo
e StrOmberg. but not the real reason"
v. Rizzio started and smile broke a
r the corners of his lips.
i oh You realize. then, that there
d something elsc--somcthing--?" II
l. paused
# ~ realize nothing" growled the Gen
y eral Realization. Rizzio, is the on
hanality Of existence! Uncertainty
= the only thing worth while. When on
N terestng. That Is why Herr Hammers
~ ley: whom you call fool In one breat
=, and genius in the next eXctes m
" profound attention. Come, I think yo
y will agree with me that he Is worth II .
- ~ do not like Hammersley, EXcellcnZ
y "Naturlich But that need nc
prevent your interest IN him, eve
though your interest is largely in hi
N death"
n The phrase was significant del!vere
i significantly, and in spite of hmse
le li2zio felt the gaze of the Genera
'n PIERCING his veneer.
1T ,"I could feel no happiness in such
re misfortune he said gravcly. "noti
i wthstandlng my dislike of him"
'd A knock at the door interrupted ful
IS ther conversation and, at comman