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"Not a word, so far as I have heard"

"Strange Why should he conceal the ht think that he would be suspected"

"True, true That is well spoken, Wratslav But yet he knows a little too reat deal too much, Excellency"

"There is no certainty that he does not know also who the lady is"

"He goes to see her, Excellency"

The ivory knife swayed delicately, rhythers, then was still The Minister spoke deliberately

"It would be well if he did not go again--did not speak to her again for that matter--" The heavy lids flickered for an instant as His Excellency flashed one look of keen intent towards his hearer as though to emphasize the portent of his words Then the sed"

"It can be arranged, Excellency"

"I thought so" Again the keen look Then the Minister leaned back in his chair, revolving it slightly that his arht rest more comfortably on the desk

"Excellency?" Wratslav spoke with solishman is a person of some consequence in his own country"

"Indeed? One Griffin, is he not?"

"His brother is dead He died last week The Englishhtened around the ivory knife

"That," the Minister's voice became softer and even ain The knife was laid down, and the fingers moved slowly, heavily, on the desk "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, so up the receiver and turned to Wratslav

"There is a telegra it here Hurry"

The secretary was back in a few moments with the envelope, which he handed to the Minister, who cut it open and read the rip; His Excellency looked idly at the pieces, but never a line of his face moved

"Matters are a trifle ain" He handed the telegram to his assistant It read: "A British subject presents his cos to assure you that the statement which he has written and sent under seal to the British Aton 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"