Evening star., 1925-05-03
CHAPTER XVIII.
| Witness n Signature.

Outside in the hall l met Kenrich
'Well?' he queried.
| informed him that l should have
q final answer on the following day
He nodded.
We must leave him quite alone
now" he said. He knows all the
facts, and he will make his decision
unaided, as he always does"
He opened the front door for me
himself. and / passed out into the
quiet streets. decided to walk back
TO the residence of Herr Huber, for
felt the need of breath of fresh air
and of time for reflection.
I need hardly say that l had found
the part I was playing increasingly
repugnant to me as my interview
with Ludenburg had advanced. II
was my mission to complete the evi
dence of a conspiracy by obtaining his
signature 10 a document that involved
him in tho designs of group of men
whose character and methods. was
sure, would be utterly abhorrent to
him Had be been a person of the
quality Of Fritz or the Professor, my
task would have been honest enough,
but it went to my heart to be forced,
by circumstance over which I had no
control. to entrap so great-hearted a
man into a position which would still
further embittcr his closing years and
bring to a dark conclusion his long
record of honorable service on behalf
of his beloved country and cherished
ideals. i could see no way out, how
ever; T. was committed beyond ques-
tion or doubt to the mission which l
had voluntarily accepted from Rehmy
and CASTOR. ! hated to deceive that
heroic old man. but I felt obliged to
adopt n course which. in ordinary
circumstances. I should never have
pursued I had to think not only of
my obligations TO Rehmy and CASTOR,
but of the appalling possibilities re-
vcaled by that terrible document. The
stake for which I was playing was
nothing less than the peace of Europe.
and the cause for which thousands
during four long years OF war. I
could not risk losing the chance that
was given me of unmasking this des-
perate plot. and of obtaining the
crowning proof of it's existence.
l soon saw that I had no choice.
must go on with the affair as Rehmy
had planned it, and the name Of Lu-
denburg, if he signed the document,
must appear with the other parties to
that fatal undertaking.
1t took me some little time to find
almost il o'clock when l arrived at
the house. Both Huber and Won Sal
snig were awaiting me, and no sooner
had I entered the hall than they over
whelmed me with questions. / was in
no mood. however. to satisfy their
curiosity, and I maintained a purely
formal attitude.
You will know, gentlemen l said,
shortly after noon tomorrow whether
or not he will agree" and with this
they were forced to be content, though
I heard Huber mutter something about
'Prussian insolence" below his breath,
IS he numbered off to bed.
must have slept soundly. for was
dog-tired, and it was past 9 on the
following morning when I was awak-
ened with coffee and hot water.
Much refreshed by my nights rest,
] rose and dressed. For good or i'll,
today would be the crisis. My French
friends were due to meet me that
afternoon, and I should then be able
to tell them whether or not success
had crowned our efforts.
AS / was descending the staircase
l heard Won Salsnig speaking on the
telephone. I did not pay much heed to
the conversation, but continued to
walk downstairs. Suddenly, however,
all my, faculties Sprang to attention.