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.. (Copyii SYNOPSIS: I l The story, written in 1910. begins‘ with Lady Anselman's luncheonâ€"party at. the Ritz Hotel. London. Anioogthe' guests are Lord Romsey. a (‘Z‘ibllle‘f‘ Minister'; Surgeon-Major Thomson,‘ (Thief Inspector of Field Hospitals; his: fiancee. Geraldine Conyers; her brow “101'. a naval lieutenant. and his fiancee Olive Moreton; Contain Ronald Grauet, nephew of the hostess. homel with a wounded arm. lileut. Conycrs; receives commissioi. on a “mystery . ship and Major Thomson dccodos‘a secret message from the lrittlchcnl.ll â€"‘ t CHAPTER V. Lord Roms-8y, after his luncheon-l lmrty. spent an hour at his ofhciul residence in Whitehall and made twol other calls on his way home. Ilis' secretary met him in the spacious hallI of his house in Portland Square a few, moments after he had resigned his: coat and hat to the t'ootman. i “There is a gentleman here to see you who says that he made an ap- pointment. by telephone. sir." he an- nounced. “His name is Sidneyâ€"the Reverend Horatio Sidney, he calls himself." 9 Lord Romsey stood ‘Tor a moment; without reply. His lips had come 10-; gether in a hard, unpleasant line. It was obvious tia‘. ~this yvas by no means a welcome visitor. ; “I gave no appointment, Aiiislcyjf he remarked. “I simply said that 1‘ would see the gentleman when he ar-, rived in England. You had better bring him to my study," he continued. “and be careful that no one interrupts us"; . The young man withdrew and the‘ Cabinet Minister made his way ‘:0 his] study. A little of the elasticity, how-I ever, had gone from his footsteps andi he seated himself before his desk‘ with the air of a than who faces a disagreeable quarter of an hour. He played for a moment with a penâ€"l holder. "The skeleton in the cup-hoard,“ he} muttered to himself gloomily. “Even! The Kingdom of The Blind By E. PHILLIPS OI‘I’I‘INHIIIM. gbtod) “But it is 01‘ consequent-c." Lord Romscy insisted. “\ou have dared ambassador v. iom Engw to proclaim yo: ‘i’ an to me from a country Vt llll land is at war. Even a discussion lic- twccn us Illil'l'JFis‘ almost to tl'i‘.::‘Oll. On second thoughts I dcclin: to re- t(‘l\'(‘ yin." He held out his hand toward electric bell which stood on his stud table. His visitor shook his head. . “I wouldn't :adop' that attitude. if I were you." he said calmly. "You know why. If you "0 really curious about my nationality. there is no harm ‘ in telling you that I am an American citizen. that I have held for three ycai'stlie post of American chaplainl at Brussels. Better ict me say what I have come to say." ‘ Lord Ronisey hesitated. His natural propensity for temporizing assertedi itself and his finger left the bull. Tlic‘ other continued. , “You are in the unfortunate posi- tion. Lorl Ronucy. of having failed absolutely in (our duty towards your; own country. and having grossly xiiiin traitorously deceived a pcrsonaeel who has always tieatcd you with the. greatest kindness. I am here to see if it is possible for you to make some. the V. n 1 . amends.” , “I deny every word you say," the, Minister der-lared passionately. “and I refuse to hear your proposition." Mr. Sidncy's manner” suddenly changed. He leaned forward in his chair. “Do not be foolish." he advised. “Your last letter to a certain person- age was dated June second. I have a copy of it with me. Shall I read it- to you, word by word?" “Thank you, I remember enouin of t." Lord Romscy groaned. “You will listen. then, to what I. have to say," the envoy proceeded. “01" that letter will be published in The] Times to-morrow morning. You know what. that will meanâ€"your polâ€" itical ruin. your everlasting oisgrace. What use will this country, blinded at the present moment by 1rejudice. rtrality. .simply. “to order USED PARTS ‘I live r' iswl izzi‘ts '1 . i ’r. 7' f .\i.. All it}:‘ s. . lllll ".iiw. \\.'~ --‘ ].i - v n AUTONEOBILB USED PARTS 03.. 1’3in Dunfias 3?. “font. - 'L‘cron‘c “liven if I had the influence. v. I li.i\en't.." he l-cg; “it isn't a n tcr ol' the Government at ' country on ul.l ll(‘\'(l' “and it, “Then you had better ccnvci't the c.iiiii!i'y." \v: the proinp‘: reply. "Look upon it as your duty. Rciiicuilxer tlii: wyou ate the man in all this \\'(l‘ltl. and no; the k for this war. Pm. for your solemn words pledging your country to neu» Germany v ouhl newr have c as she has done. Now the evil. I tell you that we want farce. The tirst ovortuics may come ostensibly through Washington. it you will. but they irust conic in reality from you." forced the issu it is for you to repair The Mini‘ er leaned hazix' in his chair. llis was he calmness of despair. "You might as well ask me." he said our fleet out of the North Sea." Mr. Sidney rose to his feet. “I think." he, adused. “that you had better try what you can do. Lord lomscy. We shall give you a little time. We may even extend it. it we find tratcs of your influence. You have two colleagues. at least. who ill‘ei pacitists at heart. Take them on one side. talk in a whisper at first. Plant, just a little seed but be careful that: We do not expect inipossi-‘ it grows. hil-ities, onlyâ€"sremember what failure will mean to you.” Lord Roniscy looked steadfastly at his visitor. Mr. Sidney was tall and of the Teuton or the American in his appearance or accent. His voice was characterless, his restraint almost unâ€" natural. Relieved of his more im- mediate tears. the Minister was con- scious of a renewed instinct of strong curiosity. “How can I communicate with you. Mixâ€"Sidney?" he asked. “In no 'ay.‘v the other replicd. "‘v'lien I think it advisable I shall come to see you again." “Are you an American or a Ger- man or an Englishman?" “I am whichever I choose for the. moment." was the cool response. “If haps establish myself in your confiâ€" dence by repeating the conversation which took place between you and the Kaiser on the terrace of the Imperial the greatest of us": he added! with airhave for a statesman Wm}, withoutPalace at Potsdam between three and momentary return of his more inuautliority. pledged his Government tolfour o’clock on the afternoon of'April fluted self, “have them.” ian alliance with Germany. who overlthe seventh. \ou gave the kaiser 21 There was a knock at the door and his own sviamtureâ€"" lllltle character sketch of your col- the secretary reappeared, ushering in, this undesired visitor. ' “This is Mr. Sidney. sir," he an-i nounced quietly. l The Cabinet\l\Iiiiister rose in his; place and held out his hand in his best official style, a discreet mixture of, reserve and condescension. His nian-i ner changed. however, the moment tllel door was closed. He withdrew his hand. which the other had made no' attempt to grasp. ‘ “I am according you the interview; you desire," he said, pointing- to a chair, “but I will be glad if you will explain the purport of your visit in. as few words as possible. You will,: l hope. appreciate‘the fact tha‘ your presence here i a matter of grace embarrassmen to me." ' Mr. Sidney bowed. He was a tall and apparently an elderly man, dress,â€" cd with the utmost sobriety. IIe acâ€" ;jepted the chair without undue haste. adjusted a ‘pair of horn-rimmed spooâ€" tacles and took some papers from his pocket. “Sir.” he began. speaking deliber-. ately but without any foreign accent, “I am here to make certain proposals; to you on behalf of a person who at your own request shall be nameler ' Lord Romsey frowned ponderously and tapped the desk by his side with his thick forefinger. “I cannot prevent your speaking". of course." he said. “but. I wish you :0 uudcrstund from the first that I am not in a position to deal \\ tli any messages or commonications from your master. whoever he may be, or any one else in your country." "Nevertheless." the other remark ' 'lv. "my message must lie deli; u An impulse of curiosity st 'ggled through the gloom and :ipprchcr-sion of Lord Romsey's in: mm. lIe gazed at his visitor with knitted l\1'-.\vs, i "Who are you?" he demanded. “An Englishman?“ “It is of no consequcnce.” colorless reply. was the l 'calm reply. itliat your Government would never deâ€" ‘ chair. ‘I llt‘v-cl‘ rd}- .~ ,closc tlic real is your lc;te;'sâ€"v it you are saying)" told you that my errand was 2. i I jut s one. 8. :t‘tl to be - ' c the l'Ivull‘. . future. “Stop!” Lord Romsey interrupted.i “There is no purpose in this. What is it you want?" , “Your influence in the Cabinet. You‘ are responsible for this war. It isl for you to end it." _. "Rubbish!" the other exclaimed.‘ lioarsely. “You are attempting to- saddle me with a responsibility like“ this. simply because my personal; sympathies have always been on thel side of the country you are represent-3 ing." ' “It is not a question of your per- sonal sympathies.” Mr. Sidney returnâ€" ed swiftly. “In black and white you pledged your Government to abstain from war against Germany." “How could I tell," the statesman. protested. "that Germany was. thinking of tearing up treaties, or entering into 21 ca paign of sheer and scandalous aggression'.’~y “You made no stipulations or con-‘ ditions in what you wrote," was the l l “You pledged your word‘ clare war against Germany. You al- ‘luded to the French entente as an un» natural one. You spoke eloquently of the kinship of spirit between England, and Germany " Lord Rom. y moved uneasily in his He had expected to find thi. , an uupie sari intervic‘.: and he was certainly iirv‘. being: disappointed. "Well. I was mistaken." he admit- ted. “\‘f‘"t I said w true enough. :xl believe that thc Govern» ment with which I was aSsociatcd would declare war against Germany. Even now. let rue tell you that there ' i‘t a still bl‘c- him» who knows how he . If your peoâ€" t'l‘ioit‘ll any other line of ul (:in' ple h‘ 21(l\'.‘.l "l lime not come here to rccriniiu» :zie,” Bis". Sidney dc ‘ red. "That is not my mis=ion. I am bore to state our terms for .‘i‘l‘étllllll‘i‘ from lending _ > o‘uil lcttr as to the Iv’aisen~-to c issh I’rc:s." Lord Romsch spr. ‘ his feet. ‘Good God. mun! D.» you know what ' lie c ‘ “aimed. thc other replied. “I "Perfectly." A :C‘l':' . I procecil‘?" Minister slow‘ i’csun From l» . r The or r... cl his \. (‘lGx'tle l‘dllllv 41 that \rh In ch i'i'dlowcl ‘ thin-ugly tl‘w i ir- - .iw it l‘lilll St‘ ‘20 :1: saw" the Ii , which leagues in the Cabinet. and you treat-3 ed with ridicule the bare idea that one or two of them. at any rate. would ever consentâ€"‘Y “That will do." the Minister inter-i rupted lioarsely. "Just as you will," the other obâ€" served. “I wish you good-day, sir. The iSSue is now before you plainly. Let us soon be able to ap- preciate the effect of your changed attitude.” Lord Ronisey touched his bell in silence and his visitor took a grave and decorous leave. He walked with Ethe secretary down the hall. “These are sad days for all of us." he said benignly. “I hire been telling Lord Romsey of some of my experi-‘ 1ences in Brussels. I was American - i , , chaplain at the new church there \'.7ll(‘l‘. t.ie war broke out. I shall 1 have seen sights never forget. the me." The sccrelary nodded sympatheticâ€" ally. He was trying to get off early. lhowevcr, and he had heard a good (l-Elll already about Belgium. "Will you let one of the servants fetch you a taxicab?" he suggested. "I prefer to walk a little distance." Mr. Sidney replied. “I am quite at l:;-me in London. I w»~ invited to take up a p storate here. I \Yirll you good day. sir. I have had a most interc 17;: conversation 'with your chief. :l conversation wiz‘nh will dwell for a long time in my Eucnicry." The secr ‘ ,‘ bowed and Mr. Sid- ;ey walked slowly to the corner of U St]; Al‘i'lycd their, lit“ iluilcd l" taxicab which drew up at inc side at" the kerb. In step- pirgf in. llt‘ lrrnsiicd thc shot-drier of a n who had put: ".i to light a cigar- Ilc lll‘ffi'EC/l 7": :1 nicmen‘. to «or. who is responsible, Luck and Diamonds. » . v . .. slllb‘n‘ .iii'i. l...i . assesses B privill‘vl t't‘t'lnl‘i wt i.ll‘ l;ll_-\I\lf cars of all SELLS THE“. I'SKD Hues: all ears 5cm sub- !'.."iwu~ tlii‘. l mm.“ m _~:..,,,‘,-l x,» .:. , , _ j to deliu-ry up in 300 nir‘os. or tea! "” I "l 1““ ll ll“ “33 inn of Fame distance I! you wish. In u "C lil\l tfl'tv \--.‘Ls mm s. \r; ;; PHI Urdu as. purchased, or pumtmu . i .. . ' i , ,' f . ' > prize- rerun-Int. l“"‘” 'k' ” l"“‘: l'”‘" li‘ll'l‘” )liftw'ii mechanic of your own choice mom .1 \‘un \\'y;\ saw min or r .~ child g in look them over. or ask us to Hi] 11" iv" i.) 3 . - . ,2 .. I“ " “fly (‘1'? '0 “Hy representative for , .I‘ . i. i .. 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