THEFT OF A SECRET.

Waikato Argus, Volume V, Issue 315, 16 July 1898, Page 5 (Supplement)

THEFT OF A SECRET.

QUEER STORY FROM TRUTH. [This story has been communicated to me by a well-known politician, who, iu his youth, was for some time a. junior clerk iu the F.O.—Ed. "Truth."] It is not, I believe, known to more than two or three people, ti.at a good many years ago, there occurred a sort of miniature Dreyfiu affair in oue of our Govern - inent offices in Downing street. And when I use the phrase, "Dreyfus affair," in reference to the occurrence, I must be careful to explain myself lest I should coivev a wrong impression. For the case alluded to only resmbles the Dreyfus case in one particular, that an official person was accused, on strong circumstantial evidence, of communicating an important Government secret to a foreign power. With this general feature, in fact, all similarity between the two cases begins and ends. Stay ! There is one other point of resemblance to the Dreyfus case, which for the moment, 1 had overlooked. It has been alleged that an affair of the heart had some intimate connection with the unhappy Hebrew's treachery, and that lie might even now be lidding his commission in the French Army if it had not been for a woman. Well; there was a woman iu this Downmg street case—a young woman—a very chinning muden. And she was the only daughter of a Cabinet Minister I may as well state at once, without more ado, that I mys<df am the man against whom tha accusation was brought. I then oempied the post of private secretary to the Hon. the End of Blank at that time Secretary of State for Foreigu Affairs. It was in the exercise of th;s capacity that I made the acquaintance of my chief's only daughter. Lady Helen Dashleigh, a very pretty and charming girl of scarcely twenty summers. I mysdf was only twenty-six. My own personal attractions were not inconsiderable I had a susceptible heart. What more natural than that I should fall in love will this delicious damsel ? What more natural —after all these years I cau put the question, I think, without immodesty—than that she should reciprocate my sentiments ? At any rate, she did reciprocate them. We bound ourselves by a secret engagement. And the reason we kept the engagement secret was this ; that, well born and well connected as I am, I had at that time very little money—to wit, a paltry income of but £OOO year and her father, though an immensely rich man, who could have endowncd us with £IO,OOO a year and not have missed it, would have sot his face ruthlessly against her engagement to impecunious me, and have sent me about my business at a day's notice, had he been aware of the truth. But these little secrets have an unfortunate habit of leaking out, and before I had been engaged to his daughter six months my Right Honourable employer happened to discover our engagement. He was greatly incensed, and having rated me, in no measured terms, for my dishonourable conduct, and having ridiculed my absurd pretensions, as he was pleased to call them, with extreme virulence, he forbade ire his private house. From that time forward T was neither to communicate with, nor make any attempt to see, He'en, aud if he discovered me doing so, he would dismbs me from his employment altouether. As such a result would have seriously impaired, if not ruined, my prospects in life, 1 could not afford to take the bold line and defy him. So, without giving any promise—indeed, in the excitement of his wrath he did not ask me for any— I appeared to acquiesce in the conditions imposed. I had a shrewd suspicion, indeed, chat but for the fact that I was an excellent linguist (my mother having passed much of her girlhood on the Continent, and speaking French, German, and Italian with equal fluency—a faculty which she had transmitted to me), my chief would have dismissed me altogether, as it was. But my powers in this direction were of great use to the Right Honourable gentleman, who was himself a linguist of very limited capacity ; and more for that reason. I believe, than because he had any desire to be lenient I was permitted to retain auy seat iu his private room at the Foreign Office. I have not yet described Helen's father,' and I think I must spend a tew sentences in doing so. He was an elderly gentleman, sho-tand pudgy, with a fat, solemn face, and a bald pate. Although he was a tench earl and a fourteenth baron in the direct line, his best friends could not have called his appearance aristocratic. Had you met him iu the street without knowing him, you would probably have set him down as a respectable shopkeeper. Aud, in fact, rcmectabiilty (if I may be permitted a musical metaphor) was the sonata of his character. Everything about him was respectable, from his abilities downwards. But if you h id expected brilliancy, originality, or statesmanship from this worthy earl, you might havo expected till doomsday. Perhaps it was to the absence of these qualities, as much as to his high rauk and his vast territorial influence, that he owed his position as Secretary of State lor Foreign Affairs ; for the then Prime Minister was notoriously a man of the old Whig school of non-intervention in European polit'cs ; and certainly he could not hive de'egated the management of Foreign Affairs to any Minister who was more certain to tread the cautious path of Whig traditions, aud less likely to embroil this country iu a dispute with any Continental Power. The disrespectful juniors at the Foreign Office were wont to dub Win an old wife. With them he was not popular, being uncommonly fussy and meddlesome, and in the habit of poking his nose in all sorts of matters of the most trivial detail. He was a man who carried method in trifles to the verge of mania ; and I used to notice, with much inward amusement, into what a state of irritation it put him if, for instance, any one of the articles ou his writing table hid been moved an inch from its proper position. There they always stood (except when the caretaker had been rashly officious in her dusting, for which she got finely jobated, I promise you)—the inkstand exactly in the centre; the paste-pot five and a half inches to the right; tlrj seal-ing-wax tray precisely equidistant ou the left; and everything else upon the table on its own pai'tieulfr spot, from which it could not be shifted a hair's breadth but the methodical Minister would uotice it. There was one thing more—a living thing —which had its own especial plnoe on tho Earl's table, where it lay curled up nearly all day, and added not a littlo to tho oldwifclv character of his surroundings. This was a favourite black cat named Pesarsi. (1 never saw the name written,

so have spelt it phonetically), which slumbered psHCofully enough when loft to itself, but if stirred up with a pen-holder or a stick of B*aliug-wax (im-truments wherewith I and other juniors occasionally prodded it, in the Earl's absence), was one of tlio wickedest devils to swear and bite and scratch that t ever saw. But to give an idea of how fussy and old-womanly the Earl was in other things al«p, I tnuy mantiou a certain littlo personal matter, in which this quality of my chief's was very absurdly exemplified. I have said abovo that tny mother had passed much of her girlhood on the Continent. The oonsequenco was she numbered many foreigners amonir her fronds. And so it happened flint the son of almost her most intimate Friend, a Parisian, was then attached to the french Embassy in London. Naturally wo showed him us much hospitality as we could: and he, being a very decent and companionable young fellew, soon became quite a pal of mine, and we often went out together to functions, theatres, and various places of amueraent. This very innocent circumstance, coming to the knflwlcdge of my cautious chief, exercised him greatly. And if you'll believe me, he took me to task, with great seriousness, for my intimacy with the youug Freuoh attache. " Consider," he said with agtavo frown on his solemn face, " how undesirable it is that a }'Oung man in your position should be cons-tantlj'- seen about with a mamber of the French Embassy." " Do you suspect me, my lord, of com municiting official secrets to him ?" I could not help enquiring, at the same time choking down a strong disposition to laugh. "Tutt, tut! Of course I suspect nothing of the kind. But others may take a different view. And think how hud it looks." " I should have thought, my lord," I said, " that I was too insignificant a person for my friendships to attract aiiy notice." " Your modesty does you credit," answered the Earl, with ponderous sarcasm. " All the same, I am not in the habit of arguing with my juniors, sir. And I would strongly recommend you to take the hint, which I have given you as a friend, before I find it necessary to expostulate with you in another capacity." When my chief took that line with me, of course I had no option but to promise compliance with his wishes, absurd as they were. However, all that I did in the way of carrying my promise out was merely to shun the Frenchman's company in those places where there was. a likelihood of meeting the Earl. In reality, we remained just as intimate as we had been before. It was not lone; ere I discovered a special reason for my chief's anxiety that I should discontinue my intimacy with the French attache. I made the discovery by piecing together various little scraps of information that came under my notice, whereby I was able to infer with tolerable certainty, that the Earl was negotiating a secret treaty with the Prussian Government—not altogether to the advantage of France. And doubtless he was afraid lest, in the event of my getting to know about this, I might incautiously let drop some remark in the hearing of the Frenchman which would give away this important State secret. For I am sure lie did not then suspect me of any intentional treachery. And now—having done with these necessary descriptions—l will revert to that more interesting matter, my affair of the heart with Lady Helen. I think I have said already that, while appearing to acquiesce in my chief's conditions that I should neither see nor hold communication with his daughter, I had distinctly given him no promise on the subject ; and I did not feel myself bound to abstain from doing either, if I could see my chance—without risk of discovery. As to stolen interviews, indeed, these soon showed themselves to be outside the range of possibility, for Helen had been relegated to the charge of the most wideawake old lynx of a chaperon that ever frustrated the dodges of a detrimental. But written communications were easier to negotiate ; and the venal compliance of a certain maid-ser-vant in the Earl's household enabled us lovers to carry on a sweet and comforting correspondence. One afternoon —a memorable afternoon—my chief having gone to attend a Cabinet Council, and I myself having nothing particular to do until he came back, yet being unable to leave the office because the hour of his return was micertain, I took the opportunity to pen a long and loving letter to Helen. Before I had finished, I heard the Earl's ponderous step iu the passage outside, and only just had time to, thrust my letter between the blotting-pad before he entered. He carried with him a large bundle of papers, which, as he informed me, required immediate attention ; and iu working upon -which 1 was kept busy for three or four hours. I was not particularly well pleased at this ; for, as it happened) I had an appointment with my friend, the Frenchman, to dine with him that evening at 7.30, and afterwards proceed to the Alhambra. But 1 put my shoulder to the wheel, and working as hard and as rapidly as I could, I had my task completed iu time to hurry away from the Foreign Office shortly after seven o'clock. We dined—the Frenchman and I—cosily at my club, a little later than the hour fixwd. And then we chartered a cab to drive us to Leicester-square. It was not until we were half-way there that a certain recollection suddenly flashed across my mind. I had left that unfinished letter to Helen in my blotting pad at the Foreign Olliee ! Was it safe to let it remain there till next morning? Probably it was- Yet somehow (more for Helen's sake than my own) 1 diil not like to run the risk. Aud al'mostiuau instant. I had made up my mind that I had better proceed to Downing street at once and gain possession of it. A word or two of explanation to my friend ; a shout through the trap-door to cabby ; and we were soon in full career for Downing-street. When wo reached the Foreigu Office, I jumped out of the tub, rang the bell, which was answered by the custodian, to whom I explained that I had come to fetch some paper*. Of course, he let me in without demur, and I hastened at once, into my chief's room, which, at this hour had only one occupant-—the inevitable l'esarsi, who lay curled up and slumbering peacefully iu his usual place on the Earl's table. As I passed him, on my way out, having duly possessed myself of my letter, the spirit moved me to prod him iu the ribs with the ferule of my umbrella—* proceeding which caused him to spring up aurj spit and swear and rampage with his usual ferocity. The incident was trivial enough. But I record it because, as is often the way with trivial incidents, it had aa important bearing 00. subsequent events. Wo spent a pleasant evening at the Alhambra, and, proooeding homewards, reached my rooms about midnight. I invited my friend to cone in and have a brandy and soda ; but ho declined, being tired, he said, and quite ready for bis downy. So I bide him good night, and let myself in with my latch-key, alone. I entered my room, whistling an air from the mus : c of the ballet we had just witnessed ; bat suldeuly I left off and gave a violent Btavb of surprise, which, con-

sidering the circumstances, was hardly to be wondered at. For that an insignificant youngster, myself likoshouldreturn homeat midnight to find two Cabinet Ministers in his rooms, awaiting him, was ( to say the least of it) an unprecedented and extraordinary occurrence. Yet this was what confronted me on that never-to-be-for-gotten occasion. Side by side, with their backs to the fire, both regarding :ne, as I cutered, with looks of portentous and awful gravity, stood tho Prime Minister of England and the Sucretary of State for Foreign Affairs. Yes, this is tho solemn fact There these two great men were, standing sheulder to shoulder upon my humble hearthrug ! I have no space—l wisb I had—to describe to you in detail what happenedatthis amazing interview. Suffice it to say that, no sooner had I entered the room than I was instantly set upon and attacked, in most scathing terms, by my chief the Earl. He has discovered my treacherous theft of that important draft from his table! What theft? What draft? Ab, 1 knew very well, villian that I was. What had taken me to the Foreign Office at nine o'clock that evening. Why had I been accompanied by that scoundrel of a French spy ? Yes, j needn't pretend innocence. The caretaker had told him everything. Perhaps I hada't disturbed Pesarsi—who was slumbering on the draft, by pulling it from under him—and made him spit and swear loud enough to be heard all over the buildiug. And if that wasn't enough to—make me my own guilt, how came it that the cat, who was always quiet enough except when rudely aroused, had overturned a pen and tray and upset the contents of the paste-pot all over the table as the result of my visit ? Oh, yes ! He siw my game. I meant to let my French friend copy this draft, and then replace it early next day, so that the theft should remain undiscovered. But, fortunately, he, himself, had had occasion to go to Downing street soon after I had left, and so my treachery was exposed. It was so grave a matter that he had felt compelled to consult his cbief, the Prime Minister, at once. And it was by the iatter's suggestion that they were both hera. Now, then—what have I done with that paper ? Had I got it on my person? No? Pshaw! VVbat was the value of a traitor's denial? Would I prove that I had not got it about me by turning out the contents of my pockets before them, then and there ? Conscious of complete innocence, I said, "Yes?" unhesitatiugly, and at once suited the action to the word. But Ihadforgotton, at the moment, my unfinished letter to Helen, which was in my breast pocket with my other papers. And only when I had thrown them out in a heap upon the table, did I remember it. But it was then too late. The letter fell upon the top of the heap, and the Earl had it in bis hand and was reading it before I could interpose. His faco grew darker and angrier than ever as he perused. At last he broke out : '• This—this —explains everything, It —it—supplies the lust damniug link in the chain of evidence against you, you gcouudrel. See !" he cried, excitedly, turning to the Prime Minister, and pointin jr his finger to a passage in my letter. "Listen to this. Hear what this fellow, who calls himself a gentleman, has wrftten clandestinely to my daughter : " My own, I will make money quickly—somehow, so that we can marry whether your father consents or not." What do you make of that ? Do you need any further evidence against this fellow? Had we not better hand him over to the police at once ?" " It is, indeed, a black case," replied the Prime Miuister, shaking his head gravely. The Earl, in his wrath and excitement, began to pace up and down the room; and, as his manner was, when so doing', he gathered tho flowing tails of his frock coat, one over either arm. It was to this circumstances that the sudden and speedy termination of this little affair was due, and that my escape from spendiug the night in a poiico cell must be, ascribed. For as, in his perambulations, chief turned his back upon us. striding towards the window, there in the—the—space between his coat tails, a very striking and extraordinary object loomed obtrusively visible . I stared. Tho Prime Miuister stared ; fixing his eye-glass in his left eye, and puckering his ample forehead into a frown of perplexed astonishmeut. " Horn ! Excuse me, Blank," coughed the Right Honourabie gentleman, ' Hem —do you—are you—may I ask, in the habit of walking about with a folio of foolscap attached to your—hem—inexpressibles ?" " Eh ? What ? What do you mean ?" cried the Earl. For reply, the Prime Minister took two Dace 3 forward, and plucked the sheet of paper with his forefinger and thumb. It was not easily dislodged ; in fact, it offered some considerable resistance; and when it cama away, quite a considerable fragment was still left adhering to the Foreign Secretary's trousers. "H'-m! This is very adhesive foolscap," said the Prime Minister. " It—it seems tD have been gummed. He ! There goes ! I was afraid I should tear it. Some one has been playing a trick upon you, Blank. . . Why, damn it, if this isn't the—the " " The what ?" cried my chief, snatching the torn fragment from his grasp, and anxiously scanning it. " By Jehoshaphat! You are right. It is indeed the—the " At that point I burst into a roar of laughter, which I could not restrain. I saw exactly what had happened. When I prodded Pesarsi with my umbrella, that rampageous Tom had upset the paste pot on to the draft, and in his furthors-ram-bl;s, had caused the foolscap to flutter from tho table into tho Ministerial chair. Further, I could picturo to myself the Foreign Secretary coming in, and lifting his coat tails with his usual pompous deliberation, and finally himself, with comulacent unconsciousness, atop of the pastebespattered paper. The following is all the material part of an interview which subsequently took place between myself and th u Earl. " Ha ! ha '. ha ! You'll excuse my laughing, my lord ; but tho whole thing hasbceuso unspeakably funuy that " " Ha ! ha ! So it his. Splendid joke —splendid," said my chief, putting the best faco he C3uld on the matter, and laughing like a man who laughs with tho toothache. " It would make glorious copy for tho papers," I re-narked. "Eh? What? This must never get into the papers. I—l—but I cau rely on your discretion," replied the Earl, pretending confidence. But he turned pale at my words, and was eyeing mo with nervous anxiety, all tho same. " To be frank, my lord," I retorted, looking him full in the i'aoe, " you have not treated me so well iu this affair that I feel under any obligation of silence; but,'' I added, with unmistakable meaning, " you can lay me under an obligation that will tie my tongue effectually. That is tho price of my silenc\ What do you say ?" He said much—<totming, expostulating, appealing. B it I stuck to my point and gained it. Next afternoon, in the broad light of day, I walked up to the front door of the E irl'd residence ; rang the bell, boldly ; aul was admitted, uu«

questioned, by an obsequious butler into tho pros-nice of the Lady Helen.