Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1918-03-09
Romance of the Secret Service
By GEORGE GIBBS
The YeILOW DOUe
Author Of "Thc Flaming sword" Mad


Author Of Tho Flaming sword. Mad
cap.' etc.
mistakes as they always do-the chief Of
which would have been that of denouncing
Miss Doris Mathcr as an agent of Enslands $
enemies
The girl tapped her toe rcncctivcly upon
the rug
81 won't attempt subterfuRc. OF course,
! know the contents of that packet"
"Nuu wouldn't he Il woman If you didn't
And how i was passed from Captain
1'yhsld to Cyr,il IIamncrsslcy" This, was a
eyes dilatcd slightly, but she saw them.
"ByNcld! Impossible"
"Not at all. cyril told me-" she lied.
"lIc told NOu----?" he paused aghast for
now she was laughing at him.
'No-hut you have"
Ills brow tangled and he folded his arms
"of course. you know the importance TO
cyril and captain Byiield of keeping such
a matter secret"
He had not heard lie did not know
Sh" remembered that the subject of the
dreadful news from London had not been
roopeued and Jack Sandys's sources of in
formation were probably scmioiiicial.
She controlled her voice with AN effort
II would hardly be the one to mention
names under the circuinstances-since my
own fortunes seem TO be involved In the
matter, but as for captain Byhed. I'm afraid
that further secrecy will hardly help him."
what do YOU mean
"Mcrcly that he was arrested late yes
terday, afternoon as he was leaving the War
Ofiice"
she hud rot counted on the cNrCt she
created. She knew that her last thrust had
put him NOR carefully on guard. but he
could not hide the sudden intake of breath
and the quick searching glance his dark eyes
shot at her
What is your source of information?"
Jack Sandys lie came here directly
from Downing street"
She Rizzos lips meet under his
mustaChr in a thin line.
$50. 1t has come sooncr-than [ ex-
pccted."
He got up ard paced the floor, his fingers
twitching behind his back. She said nothing,
waiting for him to rejoin her. When he did.
1t was with a serious expression.
Il suppose you know what this means to-
to Hammcrscy?' he said in low voice.
Doris sat without moving, but her brain
was busy Weighing li2zio.
NO" she replied calmly, Il don't Won't
you tell mc?'
lie leaned forward toward her along the
back Of their scat his look and voice con-
ccntratcd upon her
"Is it possible" he continued, that YOU
haven't realized by this time exactly what
cyril Hammcrsley is?"
NO" she said stanchly. II will believe
| nothing of him unless he tells it To me him
self"
He waited n moment, Watching her and
iancied that he saw her lips tremble slightly,
Her loyalty to llammerslcy innamed him.
He followed up his advantage quickly.
There are reasons why l should dislike
10 give you pain, greater reasons why I
should be generous with a successful rival
and ] have done what ! can to take this
matter out Of your hands. There is still
time. VIII YOU give me that packet"
She shook her head,
Then I must speak" he went on NV
duty demands it, whatever happens to him
whatever happens to you Don't make me
go to extremes with you I cannot bear to
do IT, TIammersley is a German spy Those
papers were to he forwarded to Germany
You are saving them for him, that he may
betray England"
THAT is not true she said ChokDyly
81 do not believe it,"
You must, Isn't there proof enough in
what you have read?"
There is some mistake
mo. There can't be. Your sentiments are
binding YOU"
"One moment. please" Doris had risen
and faced him across tho hearth, new fire
Of resolution in her eyes. To Rizzio the
lover Of beauty. she was n mockery of lost
happiness, She was Diana, rot the huntress
bur the hunted.
You have told me what Cyril Ham
10 know what you are :"
lie paused Il moment and then with a step
toward her said gently:
Il think my interests should be fairly
obvious. am acting for the English Govern
ment"
Il have only your word for it. Have Won
any papers that would prove tin YOUR
cardcase, for instance?"
'iS S'aittu pdCht ms HfigerS inStinCtiVely
reaching upward Then he shrugged and
laughed.
You are surely the most amazing person
Unfortunately have no documents I am
only doing my duty as "A private citizen-a
loyal resident of the Empire"
But not a Briton. Neither am l. We
meet on equal terms"
."Tn Then you refuse me-defnitely, finally"
II beg that you will consider carefully the
alternatives. lf you give me the papers--.
silence on my part--safety for Hammersley
III you refuse to give them up" he paused
Then what will you do?" she defied him.
1T would he the most terrible moment
OF my. life-but 1 will denounce him-here
tonight-tomorrow In London. Those pa
pers must not reach Germany-even IL 1
have to denounce you. too"
And If | promise that the papers win not
reach Germany"
lie hesitated moment.
"Ihere Is too much at stake, 7 can't take
the risk NO woman can be trusted-"
mot even the woman John Rizzio would
have made his wife,"
He moved his shoulders expressively Her
youth and cleverness were bewilderlng him.
mo. that will not do" he said In des-
peration. You must give me the papers "
II VIII not You shall have to take them
from me-"
aware of her dominant loveliness.
You would not drive me to that 7"
Yes. 1t is a challenge. 1 offer It, l will
fight YOU, and l am strong. ! have voice
and Will raise an outcry. They viii come
and 4 will tell them Then YOU can dsnounce
\ . y !; :; Y D i''I|ll