The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1920-11-12

teaShOp should never have become
closely associated with with Jenny
Screed. Betty formed the link be-
tween us and on more than one oc-
casion kept the peace between us too.
The teashop, tucked away in an alley
off Chancery Lane, was frequented
chiefly by legal men, Strangers were
few and must quickly have, realized
that they were not really wanted. The
surroundings were cozy, and there was
noting exceptional about the proprie-
tress. There was large room, a
smaller room practically reserved for
special customers, and beyond these
avs Betty's private room, into which
only few were allowed. Perhaps it
was because Screed had introduced me
that was among the chosen few.
It became habit with me to drop
into the teashop about 400 o'clock, and
so often was 1 allowed to pass into
the sanctum that the customers must
have thought I was a relation-a cou-
sin maybe. Sometimes Screed was
there rather patronizing as far as 1
was concerned, and when he was not
with us Betty and 1 often talked about
him. Probably she knew great deal
more about him than did, but
whether he had taken her into his
confidence, or whether her woman's
wit had guided her to an estimation
of his character, cannot say.
We were talking about him one
afternoon when he entered the sane
tum hrriedly
yates! Good! Just the man
wanted. Yes, I'll have cup of tea,
Betty, and a piece of cake. I hadn't
time for breakfast and missed lunch
Some of us have got work to do"
"Mr. Yates has only just come"
said Betty.
"Knew should find him here" and
one might have thought he was utter
ing a complaint. Point is, can you
leave for Paris tonight"
81 have just been suggesting a
theatre to Betty" returned.
"Betty can wait" he snapped.
"Betty might refuse to wait had she
accepted invitation, which she hadn't"
laughed the girl. "But seriously,
Jerry, is this a dangerous business ?"
mot unless the boat goes down or
the train gets smashed up. Mr.. Yates
might get killed by a taxi going down
Chancery Lane, but no one would con-
slider the journey back to his cham
bers dangerous"
"Pll co." said what have got to
do?"
wants to impress you with the
fact that he doesn't care whether it is
dangerous or not. We will walk along
together in few minutes, Mr.. Yates,
and I'll tell you all about it. I want
a little help and think you will do"
81 am not to be told, is that it,"
asked Betty.
There is no part for you in this.
Mr.. Yates can tell you all about it
afterwards. 1t will be an excuse for
him to come and see you again."
I was annoyed by your manner, but
Betty cleared the atmosphere by laugh
at us both.
AS we crossed the 1adge room to-
ward the door Screed stopped me.
Before we go out put that in your
pocekt," and he handed me sealed
envelope, and added in a lower tone:
81 will tell you all about it in a min
ute."
He did not say anything until we
were out of the alley and some way
down Chancery Lane.
''It is a nice little affair, Mr.. Yates,
and you are going to help me by TAX
ing a little jaunt to Paris" he said,
taking my arm. "Youwill find that
letter is addressed to a firm of foreign
UdAhOlO ., uudACCiiC CT wv ASuO RSPSSAA
bre, and your business is to deliver it
as soon as possible after you leave
Charing Cross tonight. There is no
answer, nothing to bring back, no re-
ceipt to take even, but it is possible
that someone travelling to Paris may
get into conversation with you and
endeavor to learn your business. He
might be a member of the French po-
lice"
Someone working with you?"
mot exactly. do not want to ham.
per you with instructions. You are
just man travelling on important and
confidential business, and it doesn't
matter very much who knows it. See
the idea?"
"You do not appear to set me very
difficult task"
"Well, you're not very experienced