Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1918-07-02

! sale. by the International
II News Bureau. Inc
Madame Delibes cmptied her glass
OF Tokar. which wine had politely
refused to touch Ny houstess. how
ever; made up for my deficie enc, by
! imb!binG three glasses full. The ef-
feet was noticeable In more ways than
her speech. She grew CONFIDENTIAL
Would you like to know about
SPIES she said las YOU an
authoress. the subject might be worth
your while"
Il should love to know about spies
! answered. They might suggcs, a
book"
Madame Dclibcs rose and came to-
wards me. Placing her right hand on
my shoulder. she looked me straight
In the eyes. or rather hrst in one eye
and then in the other. for you cannot
look at a person in both eyes at once.
You are not spy" she said. vre-
| Gardng my face attentively.
, Good heavens. MOI! / replied. with
face OF the surprised injured -innv-
cent-rebukins kind. Whatever makes
you ask such question:"
The numbers 10 and "a; do they
convey anything to you?"
returned her gaze with vacant
wonder. Then suddenly Madame Deli
bos cried: Have you heard Of No. lll?''
Again | profcssed absolute Ignorance.
although | knew whom she meant by
Ill. This was colleague of mine at
Rvonstrasse -. colleague who had
m%stcriously disappeared some months
back
Let me look at the palm of your
right hand" said the Frcnchwoman.
displayed my right hand d.
rcctcd.
Many thanks-and apologies. Miss
HuSch You are not zelda MorellL
he had I'm
gave her that scar seven years ago.
She VIII carry II to her grave. But
you arc very like her, although now I
see that your eyes arc not the shade
OF hers. please forgive me. I
nave reasons for ascertain:ng the
whereabouts OF zelda Morclli"
The Frcnchwoman paused dramatic
ally. then lit another cigarette.
You are not angry with me-" she
said
not at ALL" replied.
Are We friends?'
"Of course. You have not done me
an injury. why shouldn't you be at
liberty TO suspect mc?"
have heard that l have a double"
tmost people havc). but l have never
learnt her name. nor her occupation.
zelda Morell was No. Ill. en-
. ployed by the German secret service
bureau. heard she was dead"
MADAME uttered these last words
SIKH "
Ny face assumed a plying. inter
ested look; then: II fear my presence
has upset you. madame" ] remarked,
Il had better be going"
NO. no; l am going to ask you a
favor. trust you: and l want a
can trust. am going TO tell you
something. l know l can trust you
any one OF English blood | can trust"
III you have the slightest suspicion
that l am unworthy OF your trust.
madame" said. Il had better be go
ing" a dramatic and arresting state
ncnt like this generally has It's effect.
! Madame grasped my arm. l knew
! that my Innocence" was firmly estab-
! liShcd
Miss Busch. I want you TO DO me a
/ great favor. and in return l shall not
: he ungenerous. Since you do not think
unkindly Of spies, and knowledge of
them and their methods would be Of
( some value TO you. ! make you an
offer. First, let me say that / am not
spy. am diplomatic agent en-
! p!oycd by a European power / have
orders TO remain in Constantinopie md
on no account TO leave it, But man
proposes you know. and--the devil
! disposes. For personal and private
reasons. | must leave the capital for.
say. fortnight. II is Imperative. Now
the offer ] make you is this. II you
VIII consent to stay here in my rooms
Tor that period Call your wants shall
/ be provided for) and forward me on
10 an address / shall give you any
letters or cablegramS Immediately they
are delivered here-mind you--if you
Will do this and cable from here any
matters that ! may communicate to
YOU 10 the address l shall give you; in
return for your assistance | Will pay
YOU"
Excuse ME. Madame Dclibcs." SAID.
Il do not want any remuneration. On
no account would | accept 1t; but other
wise ! agree to your proposition"
As W: firm on the money ques-
ton. the Frenchwoman became pro-
said. 81 will give you material for a
book; yes, half dozen books"
| smiled in my sleeve. ! was hardly
in quest of madame's experiences as d
/ diplomatic agent; but to sample"
her correspondence and cables before
sent them on TO hcr-that feat,
Surmised. would not DC entirely un-
prolific. AS to madame's reason for
leaving Constant,nople TOR. Say. fort
night" | Judged it not to be alien to
Il certain domestic event.
Madame DciibeS that night departed
| for Adrianople. leaving me her ad
dress and all particulars OF what was
required of me. AS a irSt-class woman
spy (Which I knew her to be). she
seemed highly methodical. although it
first impression OF the writer of these
lines was So entirely favorable. AS
secret service agent myself would
not trust with amy secret" the best
woman living; but this | suppose is
the result of the German secret SER
vice training. AS ! have before sug-
gestcd, have grown suspicious Of
everybody and everything. With me il
is the case of the 'dycr's hand" men,
toned by Shakespeare
After Miss lIenderson's outspokcn
opinion OF Madame DelibeS, thought
Il best TO leave my exact whereabouts
unknown to the EnSlishwoman. After
all. WAS only paying guest at the
Datcha, and therefore no explanations
as to my movements were necessary to
that household. simply told my
hostess that | was going to stay in,
lera for few days. with friends. and
that any communications addressed to
nc could avail: my return. No COM
munica tons. ] knew, would some to
me at the Datcha. Miss Henderson