The Washington times., 1918-10-27

was highly indignant when he heard
the story.
''It is some silly mistake, my dear
fellow; wouldn't pay any attention
to it. Just have your luggage taken
down and stay here"
After the two had fingered a
moment over their Manhattan cock
tails, BurweIl's friend excused him.
self to call the ladies'. He had pro-
ceeded only two or three steps
when he turned, and said: Lets
see that mysterious card"
He had scarcely withdrawn it
from Burwells hand when he
started back, and exclaimed:-
Great God, man! Do you mean
to say-this is simply
Then, with a sudden movement
Of his hand to his head, he left the
room.
He was gone perhaps five min
utes, and when he returned his face
was white.
81 am awfully sorry" he said
nervously; "but the ladies tell me
they that is, my wife she has
a frightful headache. You will
have to excuse US from the lunch"
Instantly realizing that this was
only a f1imsy pretense, and deeply
hurt by his friends behavior, the
mystified man arose at once and
left without another word.
Profting by his humiliating ex-
periences. he took good care not
to show the card to any one at the
hotel where he now established
himself "A comfortable little
place near the Grand Opera House.
After various vain attempts to
either solve or forget the torturing
riddle, he saw no other course than
to lay the problem before a de-
tective agency. He accordingly
put his case in the hands of an
agent de la surete, who was recon-
mended as a competent and trust
worthy man. They had a talk to-
gether in a private room, and, Of
course, Burwell showed the card.
To his relief, his adviser at least
showed no sign of taking offense.
TT is better" he said, that
monsieur should not know the
nature of this document for the
present. will do myself the honor
to call upon monsieur tomorrow at
his hotel, and then monsieur shall
know everything"
"Then 1t is really serious?" asked
the unfortunate man.
Very serious" was the answer.
Next day his detective drove up
in a carriage accompanied by a
uniformed official. and requested
the astounded American to accom-
pany them to police headquarters.
An hour later, after severe cross
examination by another official,
who demanded many facts about
the New Workers. age, place of
birth, residence, occupation, ETC.,
the bewildered man found himself
in the Conciergerie prison. Why
he was there or what was about to
befall him Burwell had no means
of knowing; but before the day
was over he succeeded in having a
message sent to the American
Legation, where he demanded i'm
mediate protection as a citizen of
the United States. It was not until
evening, however, that the Secre-
tary of the Legation, a consequen-
tial person, called at the prison,
There followed a stormy interview,
'T will lay your case before the
minister" he said.
But this is an outrage. Do you
mean to say Before he could
finish, however, the Secretary, with
a strangely suspicious glance,
turned and left the room.
The next morning he received
another visit from the non-commit-
tai Secretary, who informed him
that he would be set at liberty.
Il must tell you, though" he
said, that l have had great diff
Guilty in accomplishing this, and
your liberty is granted only on con-
1ition that you leave the country
within twenty-four hours, and never
1nder any conditions return"
Burwell stormed, ragged, and
1Iaadpd. hut all in vain