The Argosy, April 1916 — page 169: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

31754. 159 in whatever way may be determined. As to as evidence is concerned, what do you pro- that I make no present stipulation.” The diplomat’s head had been moving slowly from side to side, like a bear at bay. Now his eyes glittered venomously. “This then was the cause of your loud- voiced dialogue. Well,’”’ he leaned down swiftly and pressed a button, “it is one thing to bring your instrument into the house and yet another to take it out again.” He stood erect as the door opened and his secretary entered. “Ha!” Apponnetti Taughed aloud. “I fancied your minions were neither numer- ous, nor powerful.” Slevin had turned to look at the new- comer and this gave the ambassador his opportunity. With a snake-like dash he sprang from his chair and before either of the other two men realized it his hands were gripped on the bag. Slevin made as though to strike the assailant, but finding the bag being torn from his grasp had to relinquish his bellicose intention and fight for possession of the satchel. The secretary, a tall, lithe, if not power- fully built man, engaged Apponetti, serving at least the purpose of preventing the count from coming to the assistance of his com- panion. The diplomat was strong and wiry and was quite a match for the fellow who held the bag. The two writhed and wrestled and finally both fell to the floor, kicking and tugging and cursing. Finally Apponnetti was flung aside by the secretary, who was hastening to the as- sistance of his chief when the count’s voice arrested him. “All right, Slevin,” he called, ‘release the bag to his excellency. Let him have it.” - The man did as he was bid, with the re- sult that the ambassador, who was pulling with might and main, went rolling several feet backwards before he could recover himself and gain a more dignified position. His face was triumphant. He opened the bag, took from it the gramaphone, cast it to the floor and stamped on it. He viewed the wreckage with satisfaction, and then glared at his two opponents. “Well! So much for your plans! It was rather well done, my friends, but you should have been better advised. Now then, whenever you are ready to go, know that you have your congé. In fact, I shall be extremely busy.” “Now that all connection of yours with our plot has been destroyed, at least so far pose to do?” asked Apponnetti, whose face did not reveal quite the amount of chagrin that the ambassador would have liked to see there. “T am quite content with having de- stroyed the evidence. I might ask what your next move may be—that is, after you have taken your prisoner from this house, as I most strongly insist that you do.” Apponnetti smiled deprecatingly, rub- bing his hand and eyeing the ambassador closely. ‘“‘As a matter of truth,” he said at length, “YT have no idea of removing the prisoner from your house; nor have I any intention, just at present, of leaving myself. We have yet more to discuss.” “Nonsense!” The diplomat was growing impatient. ‘I shall have to ask you to go at once, as I have affairs of pressing im- portance.” “T see.” Apponnetti reached out and be- gan drawing in something which, until the diplomat leaned forward, was_ invisible. What he eventually saw was a hair-line wire of the most intangible sort, and he saw, too, that it led to his waste-basket, from which, in fact, the count at the instant pulled a small hard rubber instrument which trailed across the floor until it reached Apponnetti’s feet. A second later it was in his hand. “A little instrument,” Apponnetti ex- claimed, “called a dictograph, the other end of which runs out to the side of your home, where, on the lawn, I might add, sat until a few seconds ago a very competent stenog- rapher and witness.” ‘“‘So you were doubly armed.” bassador smiled faintly. “Doubly armed, to be sure,” returned the count. ‘‘You see, it is very often the case in affairs of this sort that the most important person in these espionage plots goes unscathed, while the underlying ele- ments, the tools, go to their punishment. I have no wish to go alone. But with you it will not be so bad—I shall have distin- guished company. What do you say?” The ambassador stood for a moment in silence, biting his lips. It was perfectly The am- clear to him that Apponnetti had bested him at every point, and in addition had in- duced him to commit himself in a way he had never done before. That dictograph record would make bad reading at a trial, and aside from the con- Co TOO mn S C@