Worcester Democrat and the ledger-enterprise. (Pocomoke City, Md.) 1921-1953, 1939-06-16
CHAPTER 20

Very much to his own surprise
Matresser himself caught some o.
that infectious spirit of exhilaratiol
which was animating the array o.
guests who mounted the magnificen
staircase of Tring House, made theil
bow to Sir Francis and Lady Tring
and passed on into the suites of rapid
ly filling rooms. He paid his respects
for the second time that evening Il
his hostess only to find himself de-
tanned by a whisper from Sir Francis
"Do you mind standing by for 6
minute or two?" the latter begged
Anywhere behind US. It won't be
for more than a few minutes"
Then came stir, almost thrill
among the slowly mounting crowd
Those who were on their way up paus-
ed and, drawing to one side, left a
clear way up the carpeted stairs be-
tween the banisters and the wall. A
youthful but distinguished parsonage
passed through their midst with alert,
graceful movements-a faint smile
on his lips but looking neither to the
right nor to the left, only towards
the man and woman who stood pre-
pared to receive him. Even after his
hostess curtesy and the ceremonial
shake of the hand with Sir Francis,
their royal guest fingered. The crowd
behind, momentarily arrested, waited
out of hearing of the trio.
81 am happy to be here" her visi-
tor confided, "and to see so many
familiar faces around me. I wonder,
Sir Francis" he added with slight
twinkle in his eyes, whether you
have been so kind as to remember
my request"
Tring turned and beckoned to Mat
resser who at once stepped forward
The royal visitor extended his hand
"Lord Matresser needs no presen-
tation," he said smiling. 1--WE have
not often met, it is true, but I still
remember his wonderful shooting al
Sandringham."
eff your Majesty will step in this
direction" Tring suggested, 81 have
made the arrangements you desired
It was all very easily and informal
ly accomplished. Lady Tring receiv
ed alone for a few minutes, whisper
ing a word of apology to the thinning
stream of guests. Her husband, will
Matresser on the other side of thu
King, led the way to small anterior
Immediately inside the first reception
room. It was carefully guarded b!
a major domo of the household ant
two aides-de-camp from the Palace
"The few minutes conversation
which it is your pleasure to have will
Lord Matresser, Your Majesty" III
said, "can safely be held here"
"Capital!" was the cheerful reply
eff you will follow me, Matresser,
should be glad"
Sir Francis returned to his duties
The King turned with a smile to Mat
resser.
"You have done a great deal of very
useful work for your country. LORD
Matreser, without reward or recognl-
ton, the latter 1 understand, at your
expressed wish. You have crowned
YOUR achievements in a fashion to
which I shall not in detail allude, as
our time is short, but I may say that
1 consider your handling of an exceed
ingly difficult problem to have been
most mastery"
Matresser bowed but remained sill
ent. His companion after few mo-
ments continued.
81 have been given to understand
that you wish now to abandon your
brilliantly successful series of foreign
missions and to settle down upon your
estates. Is that true?"
"It was in my mind, Sire," Matres-
ser confessed.
"I shall beg you to reconsider that
determination" his guest vis-a-vis
said earnestly. "Yours are not the
type of brains to be wasted on lesser
work."
II have had no diplomatic train
ing, Your Majesty, for the more set
tied posts in the international world"
Matresser reminded his companion,
"and 1 am afraid that the anonymity,
which was the chief reason for my
success in some of those former en-
terprises, is gone"
"That is exactly what I expected
you to say" was the smiling response.
"But it is the Empire which calls for