"IT IS FOR ENGLAND"

Evening Star, Issue 16624, 5 January 1918, Page 3

"IT IS FOR ENGLAND"

. CHAPTER XX. Sehaffausen entered. He went straight towards-a lit Jlo round table which stood in a corner \i the room almost "directly opposite Alary. Arrived there, he switched on a small electric lamp with a red shade. IVcast a circle of crimson liht upon the table and the floor immediately surronndm ' rt, leaving the remainder "of the big space to the render mercies of the moon Wary gave a *igh of relief. Even if they turned in her direction, when thev arrived.,, her corner would bo shrouded in blackness. Ske could peep out from behindv her armored' shelter, and observe them, herself invisible. Very cautiously Sehaffausen placed chairs around the table. Then he went to the door opening into the grounds and •oftly swung it on its hinges. Sir Charles j and his alien guests entered that wav. Apparently thfy had thought it more prti- j dent to leave the house through tho win- j dows of the sibrary, as Sir Charles had j done the previous * night, or had felt a I little fresh air would exercise a revivifying effect after the spirit and tobacco-k'iden atmosphere in the library. When 'they had passed in and taken their places round the table a sudden thought struck Sehaffausen, for he went to the other door, opened it, took out the key, and then locked it from the inside. " Theres not the remotest chance of anyone disturbing us," she heard him say. " but one cannot be too careful." They spoke very softly. Evidently they shared Schaffnusen's view as to the impossibility of ove»-caution. It was only with difficulty that Mary managed to hear what they said: She could not see their faces. They were simplv so many black figures silhouetted against the crimson light, save thjvt directly facing her there was an expanse of something rose-colored and shiny, above which she could see nothing, but the voice that made itself! audible above it showed it to be Sir Charles's shirt front. This was fortunate, because otherwise, and had his back been turned • towards her, very much of what he said, if not all, would probably have escaped her. " Well, Summerdale, what is the business that brought us down at such short notice? It must be very important." "It is. You have much to do and verv little time to do it in. But before I give you your instructions, under' the dire t command of the All-Highest, I will tell you a little thing for which I am entirely responsible," and Mary felt her blood run cold at Sir Charles's malignant accent. What could'be the devilry behind the little thing for which e was responsible? "Tell us all about it. Summerdale," came from several pairs of lips simultaneously. "Look up," said Sir Charles. Mary could not see, but she assumed they all looked up, for after a short time there was an interrogative growl of " Well?" "Don't vou see that the blinds are not drawn. There are thick blinds up there just like those on the windows around and they should be drawn like them." ' Another "Well?" followed, as interrogative as the first. " e° U £ re a hlt du "' m - v fri 'ends," went on feir Charlss, positively purring with self-satisfaction. "You have lived in Eng and too long, and have become quite English.' A curious grating cackle, doing duty for suppressed laughter, followed this gibe. "1 will e.yplain, my stupid English friends. Neav here, only a couple of miles as the crow flies, is a harbor. In this harbor are a, large number of English warships. Some of onr eppelins intend paying them a friendly visit to-night." He stopped, and was evidently noting the effect of his words upon his No one spoke. " When we have, finished our business, and leave this room, I shall contravene the lighting regulations. Up till now, as you have doubtless observed for yourselves. I have adhered to them "most strictly, as a law-abiding and patriotic Englishman should. But to-night someone will be careless. When we leave this room the electric light will be accidentally switched on. Not a slimmer will be visible through these windows," and' Mansaw his hand move in the direction of the wall;' "but up above, mv friends " A perfect torrent of appreciative words burst around that table. There was no questioning the heartiness of the genuineness of his hearers' delight. Thev regarded Sir Charles as a roaster mind. Mary was almost paralysed as she now realised the full import of what she had deemed a piece of mere carelessness on the part of a servant. The devilish nature of Sir Charles's treachery revealed itself to her in its full horror. With difficulty she repressed a cry. As it was, she breathed so heavily that Sehaffausen heard something, and said to the others: "What was that?" They listened intently. Mary held her breath. "Ach!" said Sir Charles, "it was nothing. It's your guilty conscience. Sehaffausen, or your nerves. Now, gentlemen, having told you my business, we'll proceed to yours." The men hitched their chairs a little closer, and Mary, summoning all her resolution, listened with greater intentness than ever. She was deeply thankful for the trange sequence of events that had put the threads of this plot in her hands She realised with intense delight that itwould probably be possible for her to baffle the scheme Sir Charles had already unfolded. What was to come? Perhaps good fortune would stead her also in that. Sir Charles went over his pocket and took out a sheet of paper which ho carefully unfolded. She could see the ruddv light playing upon it as he did so. "To-night," he said, "my plan will strike a serious blow at England's naval tones. Our eppelin captains know precisely the bearings of the ships from this plnce. When they see the light streaming heavenward from this studio, thev will be able to strike with certainty." An England will be stricken with terror tomorrow when they learn what has happened. Then, hefore thev can recover,'a bigger blow will fall." ,vifl h ° "uT' 1 !, ° f contenfc and approbation with which this statement, of Sir Chai 'o, Mas received aroused Mary from the quiescent state into which she had fallen. S u r J Cllarles Wfl9 peaking the leact.on had come from her momentary exaltation, and she had felt a numbne/s peivadmg every ] imb . a stapor st „ a?ir ,„ over her brain. Now every nerve was tense; she was alive to the iin-vr-tip, with determination. Sir Charles went on: "I have a list boro of agents m the principal ports, railway centres, barracks, and important buildings in the country To eid, of you is allotted a portion of this list Schaflausen will copy out on separate sheets the names assigned to each of you. will receive them in tho morning "and ..leave here after breakfast, proceeding at once to your several destination* On arrival you will visit each man on the li<t give him the secret sign, and add the words 'lhe Day has come.'" Sir Charles stopped, refolded the }Ut and put it back in his pocket. She could hear the heavy breathing of his companions, clearly impressed by the importance of the task assigned to them. They waited, as if expecting Sir Charles to continue, but he remained silent. At length one of them spoke: "And what then?" "That doe 3 not concern, you." Mary felt herself turning sick with" disappointment. What was the object with which these German .agents were to be thus secretly yisited? .Sir Charles's friends were just as disappointed, and addressed their reproaches to him in no measured terms. "Of course, vou shall know," he replied, evidently greatly amused at the little trick he had piaved on them. "It was only my little joke. We must not .always be serious, my friends. Each of the agents you visit is a trusted friend of the Fatherland, a loval servant of the Ali-

A ROMANCE OF OUR OWN TIMES. ?By LAWRENCE COWEN, Author of 'Wake Up!' Etc.] [All Rights Reserved.]

Highest. Curiously enough, they hold important positions in this country, anil are almost as respected and trusted as I am myself." Forgetting their caution, the men round the table allowed themselves quite a loud laugh as they savored this exquisite witticism. '" Within a few hours of vour seeing them, they will have placed* bombs in large merchant ships and transports'; in suitable places on railway bridges and in tunnels; in barracks and munition factories; in electric power stations and publice buildings. Then, if all goes well, thero will be damage and destruction on an unparalleled scale throughout the length and breadth of' the land. In comparison with what will happen to-mor-row night, to-night's destruction is but a fleabite." The low, gufcteral voico ceased. Manwas turning cold with the- ghastly fiendishness of it all. She knew the- plot. What could she do to thwart it? Her letter would probably bring St. Georgo down the following day ; but ho would be powerless imless, and she realised this was the only way she could secure the list. It scorned impossible. Wild thoughts of denouncing Sir Charles to her father careered through her brain She saw- at once their futility. Her head throbbed as if the blood would burst out of her veins as sho stood thero, cognisant of this terrible scheme, yet utterly incapable of thinkin&r out any pracfionble moans of averting the doom. The idea flashed across her mind that she might go to London bv the first train in the morning, seo St. Georgo and go with him to Scotland Yard, or tho Home Secretary, or whoever else was the right person. Even if they believed her, "her information would bo too general to be of much avail. Orders for increased watchfulness might indeed be sent out but would they serve? And as all these thoughts flashed through her brain, she- became conscious that Sir Charles was speaking again. It seemed to her that much time had passed since his voice had struck upon her, ear last. In reality, it was only a few seconds. She had missed the eager question that had been rapidly put to Sir Charles. His colleagues had also let their thoughts run to possibilities. "In every place out; agents have men under them they can trust." These wore the words that recalled Mary to actualitv. Most of the places wo have scheduled are guarded. It would be very difficult for an outsider to get in, althouirh not actually impossible. So we have arranged, as far as we can, to rely upon someone inside." "That is good, very good. 1 had no idea our organisation "was so complete." "My dear Fritz—l beg pardon, Frederick," replied Sir Charles with much selfgratulation. "That is because vour work has been in other directions. "And very well it has been done too. Your buving up of those bills signed by a name known only to you and myself, from Curzon, was most skilfully handled. And I may say that you have all, in your respective departments, done fine work for the Fatherland. Why not therefore take it for granted that other departments are equally well managed?" "We do,' answered the one who had been addressed as Fritz. "But what you have done is simply wonderful. May I ask a question " "Of course. Ask as many as vou like. I won't guarantee to answer them," and Sir Charles laughed, and the others laughed with him. To Mary it was appalling that these men, planning murder on a wholesale scale, vilely treacherous to the land of their adoption, which had given them unbounded hospitality, could sit there and treat the whole dreadful plotting as a matter of business, and even jest Bghtlv and unconcernedly with one another" It seemed unreal, "as though this were merely some stage play, and she the spectator. And then the flood of reality swept over her, overwhelming her. Sho "was the one English person informed of the threatened disaster, and her mind was torn and tossed hither and thither, utterly incapable of suggesting oven the glimmer of the means whereby to avert it. And yet avert it she must. " I should like to know." went on Fritz, after the laughter had subsided, "why we have been called upon for this special"mission, which is out of cur line." "My dear chap. The explanation is simple. This matter is so vital that the most exaggerated precautions are necessary. If we succeed—and what is there us?—the whole course of the war wnl be changed. It wili mjart certain victory for the Fatherland. It will paralyse England." _ So carried away were they by this alluring prospect that thev began to cheer. A warning " ssh" from Sir Charles and Sehaffausen brought them back to prudence. • "It was therefore decided not to trust the final message to post, or telegraph, or ordinary mc&songer. Each o[ you is in a Dig position, the head of a department, and implicitly trusted. You arc above suspicion; and by undertaking this task you do away with even the remotest possibility of its breaking down." Excitedly they thanked Sir Charles for this proof of tho 4 confidence reposed in them by their Imperial Master, and assured him that his instructions should be carried nut to the letter. Sir Charles rose to indicate that the meeting was over. He shook hands with his guests and told them Sehaffausen would conduct them back. Thev left bv the door leading to the garden. Sir Charles took out his watch, looked at it. put it back in Ins pocket, sat down, and lit a cigar. The glow of it lit up his face. which had always been above tho circle of the lamp's illumination, and .'•lie saw it | for the first time since sho had left him in | the drawing room. It bore a look of com- ! plaeent triumph that was maddening. ! A irild desire to emerge from her hiding place, steal behind him, seize him round tho throat and throttle him gripped Mary. I It took all her self-restraint to keep her from attempting this mad feat, pro-doomed |to failure against so powerfully built a man, oven if she could have succeeded in going round the room so as to get behind I him without beint; detected. At last ho loked at his watch again, rose j and turned out tho lamp. The studio ! loomed weird and eerie now. Thero was not so much moonlight as when Mary had entered it. She could dimly follow his i figure as he groped bis way" to the door leading to tho covered passage. The switchboard was at his aide. Another moment and the apartment was flooded with light. She shrank rip behind tho suit of armor, as he gave one look round before leaving the room through the door by which he w.ts standing. Her heart was iii her mouth as she waited for the click tlhat would tell he had locked it from the outside. How fervently she thanked Heaven that it liadi not come. A few moments sho waited to givo him time to get away. Then she darted from her hiding place, rushed for the switchboard, and turned off every light. The place was plunged in darkness. The Zeppelins would look in vain that night for the arranged signal. CHAPTER XXI. She was in.Jher room, kneeling before the bed," her hands clasped in prayer. How she got there, how long she had been in that position, she did not know. With a painful effort she tried to recall the hap penings of that_ night. A shudder ran through her as the scene, in the studio rose before her. Was it only a dream after all? She had no recollection of leaving the studio. Her dream ended with K'er extinguishing the eleetric light. That was impressed upon her—impressed so vividly that she knew it could not be a dream. Inch by inch, as it were, the events of that right built themselves up again in her consciousness. The horrible plot was real, no phantom of an overwrought brain. One part of it, indeed, under God's providence, she had thwarted. What about the l icsii -

Her head was aching. A look at the | clock satisfied her that the interval of unconsciousness between leaving the studio and awakening to the pain of reality had been brief. She rose and bathed her brow with eau do cologne, and felt fresher and brighter. Hex forces *vere returning, and she was regaining command of herself. Then she sat down to think. Somehow or other she must get possession of that list, or prevail upon Sir Charles not to send it. That idea hammered away at her still numbed faculties with remorseless persistence. But how? To secure the list by force or trickery was i out of the question. All sorts of wild | schemes, memories of the sensational romance reading of her youth, floated before her, only to : be dismissed. The only way seemed an appeal to Sir Charles. It was ; dangerous. Slie would have to admit her knowledge of his guilt.' What could he do? He dare not murder her. And yet he might, and in such a way as to suggest ace.'dent. She had no illusions about him now. In the interests of Germany he would shrink from no crime, would face any risk. And what chance was there that tho appeal she thought of making, the appeal to his better self, to the gratitude and duty he owed his adopted country, to the many friends he had made in it" who honored and respected him, would be listened to by him? None. As she turned over the phrases she would use she knew their futility. And yef., somehow, no matter by what means, • the plot must be frustrated. The clock ticked away remorselessly. If anything was to be dene it must be done at once. To-morrow—to-morrow was already on the verge of becoming to-day—would be too late. There was no one to whom to turn for counsel. It was upon her that this great burden rested. How could Sir Charles be turned from his purpose? Again and again she risked herself this question, and again and again .".he pushed into the background of her consciousness tho answer that was forming itself. Sho would not let it burst forth into life. It should die stillborn. And yet—it was proving stronger than horrelf." She could not hold it back. It was shaping; itself move definitely even as she strove to slay it. There was a way ; not certain, perhaps, only a chance, but a likely one! Sir Charles loved her. Tn his own way,' with a ceitaiu coarseness and desire of possession, but genuinely and passionately. He would do any thine to win her. Of that she felt sure". Even his devotion to the liaiser might not be proof against the temptation she could offer him. Tho unconcealed pleasure her amiability of that day had given him told its own tale. For iher sake he might prove recreant to his native land, and forswear his treachery to the land of his adoption. Would he? She could not say "Yes" for certain. "But it was not impossible ; very far indued from impossible. Could she do it? 'Hie old liking for the | family friend, who bed known her from | childhood had change;! to dislike at the first symptom of lover-like attention on his part. Now that she knew him for what he was sho loathed hyn with an intensity that almost appalled hir. She remembered Jael and Judith, and felt that she could act like them with Sir Charles as did Sisera or Holofernes. Had she. been free, her whole soul would 'nave revolted at the thought of becoming the wife of this man. But she was not free. Her whole love—passionate, tender, and true—was Stephen's. If she could steel herself to. the sacrifice of herself, could she be false to Stephen? If sho were ready to give up her own hopes and happiness, had she the right to blast his? Again she looked at the clock. Decision was urgent. Was it possible to adopt this course against which even- fibre of her being rebelled? Sho could not; she could not. And while the impossibility of it drove itself into every sensation, while she shrank from the mental picture of submitting to tho kisses of the man she so hated, an inner voice intoned montonously " You must." Worn out by the conflict, she threw Jiorself on her knees and prayed, pouring out all her 60ul for aid in this supreme crisis. And as she did so the feelinc that she was not alone invaded her, possessed her. St. George was 'with her, not \in the body, but in the spirit. Acrosu the glut" of "space that separated them his mind was reaching out to here to influence and guide, his soul communing with hers to strengthen and console. An inner voice whispered that she must hesitate at no sacrifice of her own desires and inclinations, nor even of Stephen's. What was his or her life, his or her happi-' ness, when tho safety of her country was at stake? Happiness! Life! These were as dust in the balance. She must become selfless for England! And, as she knelt, gradually the turmoil of her soul subsided.' and a great peace fell upon her. Perhaps for a~ while she dreamt—or, rather, saw with the inner and spiritual eye. Before her was a city besieged, surrounded by strangely-clad"war-riors. It was somewhere in the Orient, at some time m the distant past. None the less she saw it vividly. Within the city was weeping and waging. Long had it been besieged" and vainly had it waited for help from without It had resisted valiantly. A train and acrain had the enemy's .-lysaults been repulsed • but hunger and thirst were doinc their fell work. Women and children were dying of want. And the enemy had threatened that, when the citv w : as taken, he would put all to the sword mercilessly. Nor age nor sex would be spared. Unless a woman was prepared to sacrifice herself. The enemy kin? desired the wife of the commander" of the beleaguerd city. If she gave herself to him voluntarily ■ he would spare the city and all within it. . | A beautiful and noble woman she was. i Mary saw her scornful countenance. With [ her whole soul she revolted aeainst coing j to the enemy prince. But her sacrifice I would save those pitiable thousands. Could she weigh all that human life aeainst her own honor? Sho could not hesitate. The path of duty, of true honor, lay clear before her. She would choose it. " And afterwards—thero was the sweet oblivion of Death. Mary saw her leave the city, proudly pale, accompanied by the tears'and blessings of multitudes. And thon all faded, and before her stood St. George, in glittering armor. She heard him say " It is for England I" She opened her eyes ; she was still on her knees by the bed "in her room. The moment for action had come. Forgetful that she was but partially clad beneath tho long grey cloak she again threw over her, she lett her room. The big house was strangely, silent and deserted! She crept slowly and cautiously down the great staircase to the library, her heart beating last some untoward soimd should betray it It was empty. Sir Charles had already retired to his room. She must seek him there. No ti. -tght of the possible misunderstanding \ Vr motive occurred to her: no fear of v ho misht do when ho learnt, sho knev* /s secret stayed her England must be saved. That achieved' nothing else mattered. ' She listened at his door. Ho was moving about inside, showing he had not,yet retired to rest. This room, from which his bedroom opened, and from which it was separated by heavily embroidered curtains was half dressing room, lialf study. She remembered when he was showing her and her parents over the house—was it only yesterday?—that he called her attention laughingly to the fact that he was so hard worked ho had to arrange facilities for attending to business even at night or early morning. There was a safe iii the room cunningly disguised as a handsome piece of furniture, in which he had told her also laughing, that his most precious papers were stored away. "My enemies would give a'good deal to get sight of them." he had added jestingly; and it came back to her that she had replied banteringly : " Surely you have no enemies." How" far | away and remote all that seemed now. She knocked at the door, so gentlv that the man inside pricked up his ears doubtingly. Was it a knock? He was scanning the last carefully, jotting pencil comments here and there, when tho sound disturbed him. He listened as if waiting for it to ba repeated before accepting it as a fact. Who could want him at that hour? Bah, he was fidgety ; the strain of his dangeroui game was telling upon him, and he Avas easily scared. And than the sounds were audible again. Undoubtedly someone was tapping at the door—sharply, emphatically, yet not loudly. He rose to open it. Of course, it was Sehaffausen, or possibly one of the other <ttnSDiiators,.-seekinc: in formation on eonie

point. So satisfied was he that he did not lock the paper lie was perusing in the safe, but lnft it on the table. As the door turned on its hinges he started. Gazing from the lighted room into the darkened corridor, he could see but. dimly, and only recognised that it was n woman who 'demanded admission. Then, as she stopped forward, he saw it was Mary. Some seconds passed, before lie stammered out " You! What is the matter?" 'He jumped at the ■ conclusion that perhaps her father or mother liad been token ill, and she had oomo for assistance. " I want to sneak to von. Mav I come in?" - Ho opened the door wide and bowed. Astonishment held him mute. Then, when she had entered, she softly closed the door. She looked strangely beautiful as sho stood there facing him. Her eyes were shining with unnatural brilliance,'her face was unusually pale. She was trembling, -spite of her resolute effort to go through the ordeal unflinchingly. She had put herself in this man's power, but she must go on to the bitter end "What is the matter. Miry?" ho. asked, his voice coming thickly. He still thoueht it must be what had 'rushed throusrh h'.s brain on first seeing her that explained her appearance. What else could it be? How else explain her obvious excitement? "Your father or mother ill'?" " No." The brevity and curtness of the answer took him aback. " I have come to see you. The matter is urgent." " It must be, judging from the time and place you have- chosen," he Teplied. Conjecture as he would, ho failed utterly to glimpse even a possible explanation. Only he felt strange thoughts surge within hirri, as he saw her there, alone with him in the dead <»f night; in deshabille, too, for the cloak had slipped open a. little. Her beauty affected him. always, now it thrilled him. It vas with difficulty he gave her a matter-of-fact answer. "There was no-other. My business cannot wait. The morning will be too late." As sho spoke her eye fell on the table, and caught sight of 'the document he had left there. Sho could not, of course, say what it was ; but it looked much like the one she had noticed in his hand in the studio. What if it were actually the list! She felt fcer pulses tingle at the thought that, almost within reach of her outstretched hand, lay the paper on which vast issues depended. "Won't you: sit down?" " Tkanka No." "As you will." He looked at her wonderingly. Bho seemed to be staring through through h f -m, not seeing him : her bosom heaving, a hectic spot slowly spreading over the pallor of her cheek. She reminded him of an ancient priestess possessed by the spirit of prophecy and voicing the oracle. Was she demented? He was growing uneasy. The whole situation was so un/anny ; the one explanation with which he would instinctively have furnished hisiself had his visitor been almost any other woman than Mary was impossible. So they stood confronting each other—she slowly framing the great resolution, he puzzled «:id anxious. At length she had decided, end her far-away look left her, and its pl;jce was taken by one of unflinching deteriiiination. He noted the change, and wond-pred what it might portend. " I want that list." She ha<J made the shot at random, on tho chanct? her thought that it resembled tho paper she wanted might prove correct. Now all doubt was gone. He turned positively livid, his lips blanched, his eyes betrayed his wild surprise and terror. He glared at her, trembling in every limb. It was momentary. '.Hie quick brain of the man, his will power, came to his aid. In the absolute shock of surprise her deliberate and most marvellously unexpected question had thrown him off his balance ; his self-possession had deserted him. What this girl was driving at ho could not tell. Clearly she knew something. Had he given himself away by that transitory loss of self-command? Anyhow, the mistake must be retrieved, if retrieval were possible. And Mary, who felt that she was right, that only one cause could explain his almost collapse, was amazed and half led to believe her eyes must have dpceived her, so rapidly did he pull himself together, banish very sign of -trepidation, and re-as-sume the surprised air of the old friend. His voice- was steady ns he asked : "List? What list?" , "That list on the table. Don't trouble to lie to me," sho went on, as she saw the repudiation and assertion of absurdity almost- framing themselves on his lips. " I know it is a list. I know what it cou tains, and I want it." There was that in her tone, in her demeanor, that told him she was speaking the truth ; that this girl, the daughter of his old friend and partner, the' girl he wanted to marry, had discovered he%.-as a traitor. As that knowledge burnt itself in upon him, his first thought was not one of wonder as to how he had been hehaved or by whom : not of fear as to the consequents : not of ways and means to save himself. So curiously complex is man that in so supremo a' moment ho was full of regret that she. the one person in whose eyes he really and honestly cared to stand well, that sho should know him as he was. He could have wept with shame and regret. He still temporised, and adopted a bantering tone. "Come, Mary, what mare's nest is this' Who's been stuffing you with all this nonsonse about a list?" But as' he spoke he felt tho folly of it However, ho was gaining time to think' Ho must decide, and quicklv, bow this danger, appalling in its unexpectedness must be confronted. If -she knew, did others know? /'Sir Charles! That list contains particulars of a plot, in which you are implicated, to destroy our shins, our buildlings, and kill our people. Now, are vou satisfied that nobody has been stuffing'mo with nonsense?" « With a sudden, quick movement he got to tho door and turned the key. which he put in his pocket. Mary felt a shiver pn* 3 through ner as he did this, but faced him bravely and resolutely. It took the l a ,t ounce of her pluck to make her stand up to him, so terrible was his rag© now that nis mask_was dropped. "May I ask fiow you know?" He vl-vs-nced towards her threateningly as ho spoke. I here was a wild animal'ferocity about him that was terrifying The brute ,„ bim-P.nd ,t- is a well-developed brute in the German—had trot the upper hand He was ready to do anything to save himself. Murder would be a trifle, and Mansaw it; and -villi the,recognition of the peril came a steadying of nerve, a selfbracing, an actual indifference to consequences that made her look upon tho whole thing as a game she had to play—and win. ' ■ "" "You mav ask, of course; but I will not tell you. "You "will not, eh? Good. It doesn't matter much, anyhow. All that roallv matters is that you have mv secret and not my secret alone Ifc j» R " State secret Jour knowledge is dangerous." Ho moved towards the boll punch. She interposed between him and it. comiii-r so close that she nearly touched him, "and drew back vnth a littfe quake of repulsion. What are you going to do?" "Ring for my good friend Schaffausen and arrange with him to have vou puo out of the way." There was concentrated malignity m every word "You would kill me" She put the quos tion calmly, without a tremor "If necessary, yes. But it mav not be necessary, i should be sorrv if it were '' _ Some devilry m her made, her laugh outright and curtsey mockingly. "But you must not bo"m a position to betray us or to b&ffle us. I think I can keep you a prisoner and arrange to send you over to Germany " "On a submarine?" " The devil 1 You know that, too. Yon are indeed dangerous. However, so long as you cannot use your knowledge there'is r-o harm in your living. You will be kept a prisoner hero till you can be secretly sent to my country. After the war, when England lias sued for peace, you may come back." " And you think you can do this without being found out?" " Why not?" He was recovering his equanimity; his fear had passed away. He JBt*g»n to remember that he loved Mary He hbS lost sight of the fact that it was Mary in the first flash of fear and rage. So lie continued in. rather a cordial toue.

Wlio can know? It is discovered in the morning that,you have disappeared. lam heartbroken. I help all I can to find you.. I tell the police. Your disappearance is a nine days' wonder—if "that in these days. Meanwhile, you are under lock and key in a German prison." "Do you take me for a born fool, Sir Charles? Do you suppose I came here without taking precautions?" Sir Charles actually jumped. In his excitement and terror ho had forgotten l the very question that had at first occurred to him—did others know He growled like an angiy tiger. "You shall die." "Don't be silly." Every bit of hex woman's wit was on the rack to bluff him. She had not only to save her»elf, but to get the list and prevent tho execution of the plot. If she succeeded in that, she did not care for her own life. "If I disappeared you would havo a visit from Scotland Yard, and my disappearance would not' bo the only thing they would come about." He shrugged his shoulders. He, too meant bluffing. He believed that she had done as she said; but, whatever risk lie might run, it would be too late to thwart his designs. So long as the bombs exploded when and where arranggd, he would take his chance. ■ He felt brave and patriotic as he told himself this ; bnt he was vary nervous and afraid, nevertheless. Death had very real terrors for him. " And if you do not disappoar?" The question was full of sarcastic intonation. " Scotland Yard will not pay you a call." " I see. Very well, then. Go back to your roonij. hka_a good girl, and we'll both agree to forgive and forget. Js that the arrangement?" " Yes, if yon give me that lift. I won't go without it. Tliat is what I am hew for." She was strangely beautiful as she stood fronting him defiantly. Her attraction for him was growing dangerous. It was making Mm forget his danger, even the rajre which her unmasking him inspired. ' He was torn between a mad desire to embrace her tightly, to feel her warm bodv palpitate against his and a desire, equally stiong, to slay her as she stood before him. Ho felt as though he would like to kiss her and stab her at one and the same. moment. 'The lustful hate of the Hun was a-stir in him. " You shan't have the list. Do you think I'm mad, to betray my Emperor and my country, because a foolish girl thinks she hits discovered something? Bah! I'm no; to be bluffed! You think I'm in your power. You're in mine!" He had been speaking hurriedly, excitedly. His passion was so gaining hold of him that it was with difficulty he controlled himself -sulliciently to speak coherently, to fix his attention on what Mr.ry said and to answer her. His veins were swollen, his eyes bloodshot. Mary felt afraid She had never seen him like this. With rare exceptions, he had always preserved before her tho outward presentment of a gentleman; and on the one or t'wo occasions when he had dropped tho mask, and let hor snatch a glimpse of his true self, it had been nothing so appalling as this revelation. But, although she realised that he spoke truth, that she had indeed put herself in his power, she stiiled her quivering nerves and faced him. boldly. " We are in each other's pow*r, it seems to me," sho said, steadily. " Oh, Sir Charles, you spoke just now of betraying your Emperor and country! What about vour King and this country, to which you have sworn allegiance? Do you owe nothing to them?" Just for an instant he hesitated. The power she_ had of waking what little conscience still slumbered within his breast porsisted, although he knew that, now sho saw him in his true colors, all was over between them. But it was only for a moment. Then rage and maddened disappointment again seized him. "Don't talk .stuff. I'm a Gorman, and once a German always a German." "Can I do nothing to persuade you to relent, to give me that list?" " Nothing." She made as if to go. " Open that door," she said. ''You shall not go!" he almost shouted. Then, as she stood panting with indignation before him, her partially-exposed bosom heaving, he lost all self-control, and threw his arms round her, holding her in a vice-like grip. "Be mine," he said, hoarsely, "and vou shall have the list." She wrenched herself by a mighty effort, and stood panting, terrified. "I will bs a traitor for your love," he went on, passionately. ''Be my wife. Givo yourself to mo, and I will do what you want, anything, everything!" Black despair seized her. He was in deadly earnest, trembling with excitement. Her very soul sickened, her whole beiriir was in revolt. And thon the vision rose Imfore her—vision of sacrifice, and she heard St. George's voico: "It is for England !" He saw her hesitation, saw the 'ook of borror fade and resignation take its place. She was yielding. He sprang forward and clasped her in a passion/ate embrace, showering burning, lustful kisses on her lips. Slie screamed nnd fought like a mad creature. All the devil in him ay as aroused. He pressed his hand over her mouth to stifle her cries, and commenced to drag her towards the inner room The next minute there was a crash of breaking glass—the window was thrown open. A figure in the uniform of a nava! officer stood framed a moment, then jumped lightly into the room. (To be continued.)