Evening star., 1918-02-24

On blotting pad in his bed Lord
Weldon wrote:
Dear Mr. Beck: I win see the prime Einiss., mini
about IL. will let you know the result.
Mr.. Beck smiled a gratifed smile as
he read the note, and departed appar-
emily well pleased.
At IL o'clock he received an appoint.
ment 60 meet the prime minister ano .
Lord Weldon at Downing street at z:
When he opened his business 1t seemed
hardly worth the fuss he had mace
about 1t. 1t was no more than a sug
gestion that the Times letter box shouio
be watched by policeman in PLAIN
clothes.
well, 1t can be arranged. Of course.
said the prime minister. little TESTIFY.
"but do not see what possible good II
can do. We cannot arrest every man
that drops a letter in"
Besides" chimed in Lord Weldon;
'ff the letter is dropped in by Brandai
he convicts himself"
you were quite right to mention it.
Mr.. Beck" said the prime minister, see
ing that the detective looked little
crestfallen You will excuse me now.
but this is one of my busy days
That's hint for me. too, said LORD
Weldon, laughing. Can give you a
seat, Mr.. Beck; my carriage Is wait
ing"
At the corner of Trafalgar Square
Mr.. Beck suddenly remembered an ur-
gent appointment, SO Lord Weldon put
him down, nodding affably from the
open window as he drove away.
Mr.. Beck waited till the brougham
had disappeared through the traffic in
the direction of Piccadilly, then in
stantly hailed taxi and drove straight
back to Downing street.
'Important-this time" he wrote on
the card which he sent up.
The prime minister received him
somewhat coldly. but after the first
few words from Mr.. Beck grew eager
and excited.
to sanction" he said, but this goes
much farther"
"The proofs seem strong" insinuated
Mr Beck.
..That may be. but it Is quite impos-
sible that should take any personal
part in the miserable affair.
Then" said Mr.. Beck. with quiet
earnestness that gave dignity to his
homely face and figure, you must for
give me if I decline to have further
hand in the business. l will not know
ingly make myself the instrument OF
the punishment of the innocent and the
triumph of the guilty. Let me repeat
the wise words of Lord Weldon. ITS
q trial ask for, not conviction. The
man suspected-and suspected. too. on
such strong proofs at least entitled
to his trial"
Have your own way" said the prime
minister reluctantly, after a moment 5
pause. Il feel there is justice in what
you say. though the task you nave set
me is most repugnant to my 1eeilngs.
The cabinet council was held in due
course the next day. and the Right
Honorable James Brandal, home secre-
tary, was unavoidably absent on ur-
gent official business. After very
animated discussion, it was resolved
that the principal of compulsory pur-
chase should be introduced into the
stand or fall by its adoption or rejec-
tion.
Mr.. Brandal went down to the house
before the dinner hour in time for an
important division.
Very soon he became sensitively alive
to the fact that his colleagues of the
cabinet were strangely cold and reti-
cent in their manner to hin-with one
exception.
Lord Weldon was cordiality itself, in
sisted on their dining together, ano
after dinner gave him the arranged ac-
count of the proceedings at the cabinet
council with great particularly of de-
tail.
"I'm bitterly disappointed, I mus'
confess" said Brandal. Il knew you
were against it. my lord, of course. But
1 thought there was a strong majority
in favor of the principle of compulsory
purchase I'm convinced it's the only
remedy for agricultural depression and
the overcrowding of our towns. 1 wish
I had been there"
TT could not have altered the result
my dear Brandal." said Lord Weldon
"there was big majority. What! are
you off so soon?"
We'll, yes l feel bit done up and
depressed. and I'd best get straight
home 1 have asked the whips; there
is no danger of a division tonight"
But he did not go straight home. AS
he went past the door of the library
an attendant met him with note from
the prime minister himself. requesting
to see him for moment in his private
room.
1t was a brief interview. Mr.. Brandal
came out from il more cheerful, but
more bewildered than before.
"A most extraordinary mistake" he
muttered to himself, as he lighted his
cigar with one of the paper spills pro-
vided for the legislators in the dress
ing room close to the palace yard.
Then he walked home at a brisk pace
to work off his excitement. and curious
Iy enough passed the Times Office on
his way.
Next morning the political dovecots
were f1uttered by the following an
nouncement prominently printed in the
Times: