Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1918-03-19
A Romance Of the Secret Service
BY GEORGE GIBBS
Author OF THE Flaming Sword"
''Madcap." etc.

nothing She learned that | was acting
for Germany and. rather than let them
fall into my hands, she burned them.
II makes no difference 10 you or to the
Natcrland, since | have brought the
message here, except that my own utility
in England is gone"
!, ~ should be sorry TO he Obliged TO
believe you"
- am afraid. Excelenz, that there is
nothing left for you to do"
General yon strombcrg was again
busy examining the cigarette papers.
suddenly he raised his head, his gaze
boring into Hammersley's face.
on say this Is a copy OF the orig
Yes, Excelcns"
And where did YOU make it,
IN the library upstairs at Lady
Hcan,hcots,s in Park Lane,
After my interview with Herr Eizzlo.
u Is written hurriedly, as you will OBJ
"It is written with a pen finer than
those usually employed by ladies' -.
IIammersley
49, "wha, W was YOUR thought when you
THAT Rszio or his agents would at
tempt 20 get It away from me- II
seems that I was right
Are you sure that he was acting for
England and no, Tor mc?' asked Won
Stromberg quickly.
i For YOU, ENccllenz?'
Did Il not occur to you that your
/ failure to acccde to his request might
| have given Herr Rizzio the idea that you
were saving this document from him in
/ War Ofice?"
/ How could such an idea occur TO me
when ] already knew what his object
Was?'
oh. You arc convinced that he is
for the English causc?'
Naturally. | can conceive OF no
( reason. why Eis4io should bc for Ger
many
Won Strombcrg SMILED II this were
skill in parry. he rejoiced in having met
his match, II It were merely ingenious.
often admitted to himself that there
were but two kinds of people In the
world that he could not cope with
those who never lost their tempers and
advantage Of Hammersley's physical
condition to provoke him into Irritation.
! but the man was quite unruffed 1he
piercing eyes. the threatening tone and
Won Strombcrg had SO frequently found
effective with others had been OF no
avail here. Herr liammersley stood by
the fire, erect and unperturbed; calmly
awaiting his dismissal. II he had told
the truth. then Rizzlo-- IT..
are disloyal to Germany" snid the
General at last, You inform me that
he is loyal to England"
III ] were disloyal to Germany, sure
~ ! had proof enough OF your sus-
piciors in your secret summons 70 re-
for me to say that ! should have come
without that summons, because 1t was
dangerous for me to stay
You would, then, have me disregard
until you hear from Herr Maxwell"
And IL Herr Maxwell be dead?' asked
Won Strom6erg quietly. S0o,,,o cr,,.
In that case, Excellenz, ! must rely
on your keenness to decide the issue be-
Ven Stromberg slipped the packet oi
papers into an inner pocket and rose
with n laugh. He covered the distance
between himself and Hammersley ir
three PAGES with extended hands.
II was only trying you. Herr Ham,
mcrsley. 1t is habit OF mine. II
ampsss ,r,sss me. You will forgive ne' nich'
Willingly: Excellenz, il you will pro
those, YOU may have me shct AT once"
Food YOU shall have, and bed !;
the shooting, perhaps we may as wei
postpone that until morning
He laughed jovlslly, showing a yer,
when was answered by Saptain Vent
directed that food and coffee be prepared
! at once.
f.. One word more he went on. whci
Wentz went cut. where did you put th
copy. after kaving Lady Heatncote's IL
London"
Il slipped il down the window sash il
my automobile. They did not ever
search for It. | got away by a ruse."
NO one saw it,
No one. The message Is the same .,
lin! lcu have good memory
Excellent"
Are YOU sure that the War Offic,
inew of your movements
Positive. I know OF nc one VIII,
would try to kill nc"
"Rzzio?"
Acting for England. yes"
"And II he were acting for Germany
: Then he is a fool"
Won Stromberg folded his long arm
and gazed at the lamp.
"You do not feel that ii would be pos