Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1919-02-16
West Secret Agent By Percy James Beenz

Manor. Yes unuersthHu--
with Lord Belmont. On Sunday, Good
bye"
He hung up the receiver.
II. wonder what the business Is
Something big evidently. III am max
ing an ass OF myself there VIII De rue
tons"
Was he? The question bothered the
foreign minister at Lord Belmonts
house in Berkshire even more than II
did Valentine West III his rooms In
Bruton street
The little village of Eardley was
quite unconscious of its Importance at
this moment. There were in fact few
people at the manor this week end.
The foreign minister was not recog-
nized as he drove from the station,
and two or three other gentlemen VINO
arrived during the afternoon ana not
strike the villagers as particularly in
ternsting. Even at the manor itself
tho servants We're only aware that
their master was entertaining for
eigners.
The foreign minister had arrived
with a grave face, proof of delicate
ard serious business on hand, but his
face was graver Still after receiving
the code message from his secretary.
No one knew better than he did the
gravity of the situation, and the mes
sage after all was ambiguous. 1t
seemed impossible that anything could
have gone wrong, To avoid any in-
formation leaking out. to avoid as far
as possible any knowledge that an i'm
portant conference was taking place,
the meeting had been fixed at this
country house Lord Belmont was of
small political Importance, Eve IL it
We're known that the foreign minister
was spending the week end with him
it.would cause no comment. The other
members Of the conference had ar
rived singly, ordinary week end visit
ors apparently 1t seemed impossible
that any information could have
leaked out and absurd that any dam
ger such as was suggested by the
message could exist.
The conference was to take place ~
the library on Sunday afternoon. Tn
til then, those who We're to take part
in il We're merely guests of Lord Bell
mont, and for greater security had
dropped for the time being the titles
they had right to. They had pre-.
scented their credentials, but posed az
private individuals.
With Nj. Michelet the foreign min
lister had been in conference on many
occasions, both in London and PariI
NJ. Carlieu was of paramount impor-
lance in Russia, was closely connected
with the car and had his entire con-
tidence. Signor Lucia was of Euro
pean reputation, his name a household
word in Italy, and NJ. Blanc "A lesser
parsonage than the other perhaps, had
nevertheless spent his life in the
service of Belgium. They had all
travelled to England privately, yet be-
hind one of them was danger. at least
so the code message suggested If the
meeting took place exactly as ar
ranged, the result of the conference
would in all probability be secretly in
the hands of those it was most impor-
tant to keep in ignorance.
1t was not remarkable that the for
eien minister was exceedingly
troubled.
At four o'clock the five men went to
the library and quietly seated them
selves at circular table. A servant
outside the door had been instructed
to prevent any interruption. No one
was to be allowed to enter the room
unless accompanied by Lord Belmont
himself.
A few set phrases served to well
come the members of the conference.
and then the foreign minister spoke
of the precautions which had been
taken to preserve secrecy.
AS you are aware, gentlemen, the
situation on the continent makes IT
imperative that steps should be taken
to secure our positions, ii not by ac-
tual and open treaties, by u very dis
tinct understanding what action is to
be taken by us, individually and coll
lectively, IN the event of certain con-
tingencies arising. OF the necessity
for such understanding we are all
aware. on the main points. believe
and hope, we are all agreed, but on
the other hand there are certain diff
fculties; it could not be otherwise
when the interests are so widespread
and far reaching, These difficulties
we are met to consider and overcome
AS | have the honor to preside at this
council IL will be in order | think, -
lay down broadly the principles which
this country wishes to maintain, the
steps she is prepared TO take to that
end, and the power of enforcement
she can bring to bear If necessary. In
the main they are not new principles.
They ARE
He stopped abruptly, closing his
mouth like trap, as If he were
afraid the words he was about TO
utter might escape TO ears for when
they were not intended. There was
knock at the door, and Lord Bel
mont entered q servant with him.
"a messenger has arrived with a
note to be given into your hands I'M.
mediately" said Lord Belmont. ana
/ then he nodded to the man servant
who slowly crossed the room to the
round table, Lord Belmont remaining
by the door.
Five pairs of eyes had been hXeu
upon Lord Belmont as he entered tne
room. five pairs of eyes followed ths
servant as he crossed to the rounu
table. He went to the foreign MIN
lister and handed him the letter on
silver tray.
can answer is waited for" he SAID
AN answer and the foreign MN
lister looked M into the mans race IN