The citizen., 1919-08-21

Curtis has spent a great deal Of time
In the country alluded to. As q mat
ter Of fact, his son. who lived In Lon
don, had rather extensive business in
terests there. This son was killed In
the Balkan war several years ago. II
Is said that the man ! am looking for
was a friend Of young Curtis, who
married Miss O'Dowd in London
the Honorable Miss O'Dowd, daughter
of an Irish peer and sister OF the chap
you have met at Green Fancy. About
six weeks ago former equerry In the
royal household arrived in New York.
Through him learned that the daugh-
ter Of the gentleman In whose house
the senior Mr.. Curtis was frequent
guest had been in the United States
since some time prior to the beginning
Of the war. She was visiting friends
In the States and has been unable to
return to her own land. for reasons
that must be obvious. | may as well
confess that her father was. by mar
riage. on uncle of the late ruler.
"Since the invasion and overthrow
Of her country by the Teutonic allies
she has been endeavoring TO raise
money here for the purpose Of equip
ping and supporting the remnants Of
the small army that fought so valiant
ly in defense Of the crown. These
men. few thousand only. are at pres
ent interned in neutral country. /
leave you to guess what will happen II
she succeeds in supplying them with
arms and ammunition. Her work Is
being carried on with the greatest Sc
crecy. To bring the story to close,
] was Instructed to keep close watch
on the man ODOwd. traced him
70 this place. | was on the point of
reporting to my superiOrs that he was
in no way associated with the much
sOught-after crown-cousin, and that
Green Fancy was as free from taint
as the village chapel. when out of
clear sky and almost under my very
nose two men were mysteriOusly done
away with at the very gates of the
changed the aspect completely. You
will certainly agree with me after /
have explained to you that the one
known as Andrew Room was no other
than the equerry who had undertaken
10 find the-yOung woman"
Barnes drew long breath. His
mind was made up. He had decided
to pool issues with the secret agent.
but not until he was convinced that
the result Of their cooperation would
in no way inhict a hardship upon the
young woman who had appealed to
him for help He was certain that she
was the fair propagandist described
by Sprouse.
sand the young woman, what Of
her? She would. in any case, be held
for examination and"
"My dear sir, may as well tell you
now that she is a loyal subject. and.
far from being in bad grace at court.
is an object of extreme sOlicitude to
the ambassador. From what can
gather she has disappeared complete
ly. Room was sent over here for the
sole purpose of finding her and induc-
ing her to return with him to Paris"
"And to take the treasure with her,
l suppose" said Barnes dryly.
NATURALLY"
well" began Barnes. introducing a
harsh note into his voice. 81 should
say that If she is guilty of receiving
this stolen property she ought to be
punished. Jail is the place for her.
Mr.. SprOuse."
Sprouse put down his coffee cup
rather suddenly. A queer pallOr came
into his face.
you do not understand the situa-
tion. Haven't | made IL plain To you
that she is innocent of any intent to
do wrong?"
"YOu have said so, Mr.. SprOuse, but
your idea of wrong and mine may not
jibe"
There cannot be two ways of look
Ing at 1t. sir" said Sprouse. after
moment. "She could do no wrong"
Whereupon Barnes reached his hand
across the table and laid Il on
SprOuse's. His eyes were dancing.
That's just what | want To be sure
about" he said. ut was my way of
finding out your intentions concerning
her"
"What do you mean?"
Come with me to my ROOM" said
Barnes. suppressing his excitement.
81 think I can tell you where she is
and great deal more that you ought
TO know"
In the little room upstairs he told
the whole story. The little man lis
tened without so much as single
word OF interruption or Interrogation.
Somewhat breathlessly Barnes came
TO the end.
"And now. Mr.. Sprouse, what do
you make of II alli" he inquired.
Sprouse leaned back in his chair.
suddenly relaxing. II am completely
at sea-" he said. and Barnes looked
at him In surprise.
"By Jove. thought II would all be
as clear as day 10 you. Here is your
man and also your woman, and the |
travelling bag full Of"
Fright you are" interrupted Sprouse.
"That is all simple enough. But. my |
dear Barnes, can you tell me what Mr.. |
Secretary Loeb's real name is? Why |
has ha established bimSaIf On plnSa IN i