The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1919-02-15

council 1t will be in order. 1 think, to
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 IL 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 which they were non
| intended. There was a knock a the
door. and Lord Belmont entered, ser
want with hina.s
- messenger has arrived with a
note to be given into your hands i'm
nediately." said Lord Belmont. and
then he nodded to the man servant
who slowly crossed the room to the
round table, Lord Belmont remaining
i by the door.
Five pairs of eyes had been fixed
upon Lord Belmont as he entered the
room, five pairs of eyes followed the
servant as he crossed to the round
! table. He went to the foreign minister
and handed him the letter on q silver
! tray.
AN answer Is waited for" he said.
"An anster!" and the foreign min
lister looked up into the mans face in
astonishment. II hs had expected tn.
interruption, which seemed possible.
as he exhibited less surprise at it
than his companions, it was quite evil
dent he had not expected TO have to
give an answewr. The servant moved
: aside to do away with any suspicion
that he might overlook what was In
the note.
by your leave. gentlemen. 1t may
| concern u.s."
The foreign minister was deliberate
in his movements. He opened the en- :
velope and took out a half sheet OF
note paper, read what was written or
| 1t, looked at the waiting man servant
then at the paper again.
1T is riddle, gentlemen he said
There is no address no signature
just these words: "A naked man and
tumbled pajamas.'"
No one at the round table moved.
Il do not understand" said NJ
Mlchelet. taking UP the paper which
the foreign minister had put on the
table after reading it out. 81 do moi
understand. Ia It conceivable that
some one is attempting 10 Jest with
u.s."
THAT might mean some deep laid
treachery," said NJ Blanc.
The Russian nodded hia approval OF
this idea. 5G
May I suggest that we interview the
man who brought this message2" said
Michelet.
81 was going to suggest the same
thing" said ths foreign minister.
Il brought it straight from Paris
from the Hotel de rOrient." said the
man servant, and the next instant he
had revolver at the head of Signo,
4 Luzzia. Hands from that pocket, Jear
Boisset."
The threatened man leaned back in
his chair, the others sprang to theii
feet. 1t was preposterous. Who was
this servant? The seated man was the
calmest person there calmer even thar
the man who stood over him with &
revolver.
There is some mistake he said
mot Intentional, I an sure. still an
moving for US all. especially for me
May 1 look at the written message:
Perhaps can throw some light on tn;
affair"
He leaned forward to take up thf
paper, but instead of doing SO he funt
out his arm to thrust the threatening
revolver from his head. The man ser.
want was probably the only armed
person in the room beside himself
He had rapidly calculated his chances
realized how they were. but being IL
desperate case, he elected to make
the attempt. He had been In despeT-
ate positions before now and had lived
to talk about them,
But the man who watched him was
ready and alert. He caught his op-
ponent's wrist before he could get ia
his weapon, and then three men cams
quickly across the room from ths hall
There was a short but ferce struggle
and then Signor Lucia was hand
cuffed.
He laughed.
N"Have I the honor to address VAL
entine West?"
IF 1t is an honor, you have" said
the man servant.
Il congratulate you On having made
, a great mistake.
, Il thank you for having made two or
three" said West. AT least you
, should have left a brush and comb on
the toilet table and you would have
been wiser to put the pajamas on the
man instead of In the portnaartca u. .
+ For an instant Lucia looked savage;
then he laughed again as he vas taken
. from the room.
rs it mistaken" said NJ MicheIet
excitedly THE Hotel de POrient you
say? What happened there? It may
be a mistake. The French police are
clever but sometimes they make MS
They have made one now. mon
sieur," said West. and at the request
of the foreign minister he related what
. had occurred at the Hotel de rOrient
IN. Leroux Is SO excellent a. detec-
| tive" West went on. $50 seldom de-
cetved that I was inclined to accept
his conclusions. In 81. Houtin I had
found an agreeable companion. but as
Leroux pointed out Jean Boisset was
quite capable Of playing the part of
agreeable companion Moreover. Le-
roux's explanation of the naked body
as the murderer's grim humor of leav-
ing the famous spy naked to the world.
II was fea sible and IL seemed natural To