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I fought, but he knew where to hit; and when I awoke I was alone with the person who had, most unfortunately, been killed when the gun went off. I came back and " he glanced at the one who had been called Wratslav "he came with me." The Minister looked inquiringly toward the dapper man, who then took up the story. "We thought it better to dispose of the person, Excellency, and avoid " "Exactly.
Return to-night; for by to-morrow morning I must be ready to decide. I shall send no dispatches until then." His Excellency turned to his papers, and Wratslav left the room. That night, Mark Griffin and Father Murray sat in the priest's room at the New Willard until very late. Father Murray was by far the more cheerful of the two, in spite of the strain upon him. Mark looked broken.
It read: "A British subject presents his compliments to Your Excellency, and begs to assure you that the statement which he has written and sent under seal to the British Ambassador in Washington will not be opened or its contents made known to anyone except in the event of the sudden demise of Baron Griffin or James Saunders." Wratslav returned the message to His Excellency and sat waiting.
The meal proved to be a merry one, and after it was over the two gentlemen withdrew to the library, followed by Wratslav. Then, accompanied by Ruth, Father Murray returned to the hotel in a long, low-built limousine. The Bishop hurriedly pushed aside his almost untouched breakfast and hastened to his study. The time was short, and there was much to be done.
The slow thrumming was resumed. Then the Minister turned back to his desk, and his hand strayed to the papers on it. "We may, perhaps, need both you and Ivan here in Washington for some time yet, Wratslav." "Yes, Excellency." The silence lasted a full minute. "About the lady, Wratslav " the Minister almost smiled; "it would be a great honor were she to visit the Ministry soon."
"Still, I think, Wratslav, that Ivan should continue to work on the railroad and you also while the excellent shooting continues near ah the camp. It seems best." The telephone on the desk tinkled. His Excellency picked up the receiver. "Yes, someone will come down." He hung up the receiver and turned to Wratslav. "There is a telegram downstairs. Go down and get it and bring it here. Hurry."
Touching a bell, His Excellency summoned Wratslav. "There is a clergyman," he said, "who calls on me. I do not know him, and of course I cannot guess his business. Perhaps you will see him." The secretary bowed and went out. As he entered the reception room, Father Murray arose. Before the priest could speak, the secretary began: "You desire to see His Excellency?" Father Murray bowed.
Why should he conceal the matter?" "He might think that he would be suspected." "True, true. That is well spoken, Wratslav. But yet he knows a little too much, does he not?" "A great deal too much, Excellency." "There is no certainty that he does not know also who the lady is." "He goes to see her, Excellency."
"But," objected Wratslav, "even if she did, Excellency, you cannot take the risk of letting her go without orders from His Majesty. The Grand Duchess was always clever. She knew she was tracked down. It would be easy for her to pretend that she did not know her native language. You cannot let her go until you are sure." The Minister passed his hand wearily across his forehead and sighed.
There was another flashing look from the keen eyes before the slow, "He rewards well," spoken with meaning emphasis. Wratslav answered the look. "I will try, Excellency." "To try is not sufficient, Wratslav." "I will do it, Excellency." "That is better."
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