Part 14 (2/2)

I pursed my lips, for who in the world did not know that England and Russia would have to be reckoned with?

”There are powers in China,” Monsieur Roche continued, ”who have offered such inducements to tempt this protective alliance that we cannot resist them. Who those powers may be, whether the Emperor himself or those who do not love him, concerns you nothing. Hun Sun came to me and gave the message by word of mouth, but because of the secrecy which must be maintained in such a matter, no writing was to pa.s.s between France and China which, if by any chance intercepted, could be brought up against”--Monsieur Roche paused--”those who had sent him.”

”We civilized nations are far behind the heathen in diplomacy,” I murmured.

”Far behind,” he acquiesced. ”Many a man would be happier if he had never learned to write. There was to be no writing between us that could incriminate. Hun Sun gave me the message, asked for a witness, and before that witness, who was Gaspard Levive, my chief secretary, handed me a small gold seal. If France agreed, our answer was to be a mere interchange of diplomatic courtesies, sealed with that seal, and all would be understood.”

”It seems over-elaborated and c.u.mbersome caution, _mon ami_, for surely the man trusted to bring the message could be trusted to take the answer.”

”Except that as it is he can never know the answer, _ma chere_. However, it is not the methods of this diplomacy that I wished to consult you upon, but this: when his Excellency handed me the seal, I placed it upon the table by my side; five minutes afterwards he left, and when I turned to the table it was gone, and no one but ourselves had been near it. By 'ourselves' I mean Hun Sun, myself, and Gaspard Levive. There seems to be no possible reason for his Excellency to steal what he need not have delivered; there would be no sense in my concealing what no one need know I have received, and so--”

”There is only Gaspard?” I sharply interjected, and I felt my pulses throb with indignation, for who knew better than I, since the affair of the abducted Amba.s.sador, that the man I was honored in calling my dearest friend was as true as any who served our country.

”There is only Gaspard,” monsieur repeated.

”Then you insinuate that your secretary, my friend, has stolen the seal?” I cried, angrily.

”I insinuate nothing,” he answered. ”I come to you, because you have solved many difficult problems, to help me in this.”

”And I refuse, monsieur. You are a poor diplomat to attempt to gain a woman's sympathy by attacking one whom she esteems and admires.”

”I think not, for I have already aroused your deepest interest in my unfortunate position.”

”Indeed!”

”Certainly; because one is implicated whom,” Monsieur Roche glanced into my face and smiled, ”you esteem and admire.”

”I repeat that you are a poor diplomat,” I cried, angrily, ”and I will prove it. Because you have chosen to insult my friend, because you have chosen to insinuate that he is a traitor and a thief, I renounce my position. I refuse this commission and all others, and I have the honor to wish you good-day and good-bye. Now, monsieur, have I proved that you are a poor diplomat? A child in what you count yourself a master?”

I had risen, and stood looking down upon him, and I felt there was a tinge of scorn and perhaps contempt in my glance, but he took my hand and gently drew me down to the lounge beside him.

”You have only proved,” he said, ”what a woman's true regard is worth.

_Mon Dieu!_ how could any man be a traitor whom you have placed so high in your esteem?”

”Then I have misunderstood you,” I quickly answered. ”I take back to myself all that I have said. I become a penitent, I accept this and all other commissions, and think you, monsieur, absolutely the best and nicest man in Paris.”

He looked at me with almost a twinkle in his eyes, and then, ”Am I not a good diplomat?” he mildly interjected.

”You are a most unscrupulous politician,” I answered. ”You never suspected Gaspard?”

”Never. I was merely quickening your interest in the position. Am I not a good diplomat?”

”You're the most irritating middle-aged man in France.”

My companion shrugged his shoulders, smiled for a moment, and then leaned towards me. ”I did not steal it, and Gaspard did not.” He raised his eyebrows.

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