The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1919-03-29


don't believe they've paid duty"
Very wrong. but it shall not prevent
my sampling them.'' said West
See il that is to your liking" and
I-auderdaIe passed him whisky and
soda. And going back to the rumor
of that quick-f1ring gun-by the way.
you didn't say whether you had heard
anything about it..
mo. Forgive me. but shop is the one
thing I never allow myself to talk
about"
Quite right; but it is not my shop
exactly, and 1 have a theory about the
business. I said it was a rumor, but
you can take it from me. the plans
have bean stolen"
And what is your theory
AS it was with regard to the finding
of these plans that the War-Omce
seemed to expect Valentine West to
work a miracle, he was inclined to lis
ten to any theory.
"I get you interested. do II" laughed
Lauderdale. That tells tales. My
theory is this: Some fellow in the
War-Ofice having made up papers to
look like the plans. watched for and
got his opportunity of putting the sham
in the place of the real"
That is not a theory; that is the
obvious"
You have been thinking about 1t,
then. What should you say if I could
put my hand on the man."
Offer you a partnership in my job"
THE reward is not big enough" said
Lauderdale. You think I am guess
ing; well. look here"
From an inner pocket be took an en-
velope, sealed and official looking.
Those are the plans. West. 1 am
he man who took them
us this a jest
NO, just fact. More, I know you
are after these plans, and should not
he very surprised to hear that you have
been talked to severely for not having
put your hand on them before this.
Look at the packet. 1t is sealed in
special way you will notice. You will
zrow that it is genuine
He threw it on the table and West
took it up. The most casual glance
convinced him that they were the lost
plans. They were in a special envel-
cpe. specially sealed. He continued to
examine the packet carefully, not be-
cause ne had any doubt. but to have
time to think.
Il am rather pleased with my clever
ness" Laduerdale went on. They con-
slider themselves SO abnormally smart
in my place that it has been excellent
sport opening their eyes to their falli-
bfity. 1t took some doing. 1t was a
brainy idea. The sham duplicate has
deceived them for day or two. now
thy are pulling every string they
know to get that packet back and
Valentine West is on the job. It makes
me laugh
"A joke of this kind is no laughing
matter. Lauderdale"
THAT is because you lack imagina-
| ton. 1 am out to explain the whole
business to you. You will understand
that packet would be dangerous thing
to leave about. I thought that point
out Carefully, and also the possibility
of a search being made in my rooms, so
for safety 1 have had a special pocket
mace in my coats. That was a good
! idea, not new. perhaps. but not one
genoraly adopted by fellows in the
War Office. Confess. now. you never
suspected me. West
Il never talk shop to any one"
THAT is a way out quite unworthy
of you" Lauderdale laughed. BE a
sportsman and admit you have been
done for once; that you have come up
against a man as smart as you are
yourself. You can afford the confess
sion because you have had a long run
of success
Il always admit my failures" said
West. We have not got to the end of
this business yet"
Very nearly we have. Bluff won't
do; I happen to know the facts"
Tell me what you are expecting me
to do" said West. You say this affair
is not a Jest, so I imagine you have
repented and want me to shield you as
| much as 1 can"
NO, that is not the idea at all. I am
going to sell those plans. You ma.
wonder why 1 didn't get rid of them
at once; well. the purchasers have only
| arrived in London today. The salt
takes place tonight"
West was debating whether the mar
| was a fool or a maniac. but did not
theft had shown great cunning and re-
| source: perhaps a madman's cunning
Lauderdale's present action seemed to
be more egotistical folly. but it was not
safe to take this for granted.
You see, West, my tastes are ex-
pensive. and in paying me for my serv-
| ices the &C. eminent has not taken this
| fact into consideration Lauderdale
went on. That is one point. Then
! this is another little fact which it would
, not have paid me to insist upon. I am
Irish on my mothers side. closely con-
nected with the Filligan family. You
will remember the name Some of
them have suffered badly for express
| ing their opinions. so 1 am not very
friendly with England on that ac-
count I am out to get a little BIT OF
the family's own back. That is why
those plans are going to be sold to-
| night"
I do not think they are" said West
putting the envelope in his pocket
Lauderdale laughed.
And I am going now"
| Still laughing. Lauderdale put HIM
| self between the door and his com
panion and a moment later was look