Evening star., 1921-07-31

c"rtain that he, had locked it the
This was sufficient for Mr. Walters
Fleeing from the bewildering flood
of technicalities and profanity of the
three chauffeurs, he made his way
direct to Sir LISTERS room. Here
he told his tale. and was Instructed
instantly to telephone to the police.
/ At the telephone further trouble
awaited him. He could get no reply
from the exchange. He tried the
private wire to the admiralty: but
with no better result.
He accordingly reported the mat
ter to Sir Lyster. who was by then
with Lord Beamdale in the library
IL was the minister of war who re-
minded his host of Malcolm Sage's
strange request that whatever hap
pened the police were not to be COM
municatd with.
One by one the guests drifted down
to breakfast. went out to the garage
to see for themselves. and then re-
turned to discuss the affair over cof-
fee and kidneys. tea and toast.
room he encountered Miss Blair
crossing the hall She looked very
fresh and pretty. with demure, al
most childlike expression Of feature
Her cheeks were flushed with health
and exercise.
to oxford to the police?" she inquired
MY machine is quite all right.
have just been for spin."
"No-er-not at present. thank you,
Miss Blair" said Sir Lyster. little
embarrassed at having to refuse to
do the obvious thing. He passed
across the hall into the library. and
Miss Blair. having almost fallen over
the japanese valet. lost" in a cor
ridor leading to the billiard room. went
out to condole with Richards and tell
him of a strange epidemic of mishaps
that seemed to have descended upon
the neighborhood. She herself had
passed a motor cycle, two push BIZ
cycles and Ford car. all disabled by
the roadside.
In, the library sat the three minis
ters, for the most part gazing either
at one another or at nothing in par
ticular. They were waiting for some-
thing to happen; none knew quite
what.
Dinner passed. a dreary meal: the
ladies withdrew to the drawing room,
but still the heavy atmosphere of
foreboding remained. 1t was nearly
half-past nine when Walters entered
and murmured something in Sir Ly-
ster's ear.
An eager light sprang into Mr..
Llewellyn Johns eyes as the first lord
rose. made his apologies. and left the
room. 1t was only by the exercise Of
great self-control that the prime min
lister refrained from jumping up and
bolting after him.
entered the dining room. with a re-
quest that Mr.. Llewellyn John and
Lord Beamdale would join Sir Lyster
in the library.
AS Walters threw open the library
door they found Malcolm Sage seated
at the table. his fingers spgead out
before him. whilst Sir Lyster stood
by the fireplace.
Ask Miss Blair If she will come
here to take down an important letter.
walters. said Sir Lyster
Well cried Mr.. LIewellyn John,
as soon as Walters had closed the door
oenlnd mn him Have you got it?"'
ihe document Is now in a strong
room at the general post Office" said
Maicoim Sage without looking up. "I
thought it would be safer there
fhank goodness"' cried Mr.. Llewel-
iyh John, colfapsing into a chair.
70" + 4 **
"WHo took it from the safe. then p.
inquired Sir Lyster. q" he
stopped short as the door opened and
Miss Blair entered, notebook in hand,
looking very dainty in a simple gray
frock. relieved by a bunch of Glove
carnations at the waist. Closing the
door behind her. she hesitated for
moment. a smile upon her moist,
slightly parted lips. 49,.
I'm sorry to disturb yoo, Miss
Blair" began Sir Lyster.' but Mr..
Sage" he paused. =
1T was Miss Blair who removed the
document from the safe"
Miss Blair said Malcolm Sage
quietly. what are your relations with
Paul Cressft?"
.I-I-er-know him." she faltered
at length.
Il wondered" said Malcolm Sage
slowly.
What does this mean, Mr.. Saee?"
inquired Sir Lyster. 4
: II will tell you" said Malcolm Sage.
While Lord Beamdale placed a chair,
into which Miss Blair collapsed. Last
night while you were at dinner Miss
Blair opened your safe with dupIj-
cate key made from a wax. impress
sion. She abstracted valuable docu-
ment, putting in it's place some sheets
of blank paper" He paused.
Go on" almost gasped Mr.. Llewel-
lyn John.
!, I'm the envelope was inclosed this
note" He handed to Mr.. Liewellyn
John a half sheet of paper on which
was typed: 7
q Paul; dearest, have done It. I
will ring you I'D tomorrow. / shall