NTOUS QUESTION

The Duke paused, in his way across the crowded reception rooms, to
speak to his host, Sir Edward Bransome, Secretary of State for Foreign
Affairs.

"I have just written you a line, Bransome," he said, as they shook
hands. "The chief tells me that he is going to honor us down at Devenham
for a few days, and that we may expect you also."

"You are very kind, Duke," Bransome answered. "I suppose Haviland
explained the matter to you."

The Duke nodded.

"You are going to help me entertain my other distinguished visitor," he
remarked. "I fancy we shall be quite an interesting party."

Bransome glanced around.

"I hope most earnestly," he said, "that we shall induce our young friend
to be a little more candid with us than he has been. One can't get a
word out of Hesho, but I'm bound to say that I don't altogether like
the look of things. The Press are beginning to smell a rat. Two leading
articles this morning, I see, upon our Eastern relations."

The Duke nodded.

"I read them," he said. "We are informed that the prestige and success
of our ministry will entirely depend upon whether or not we are able to
arrange for the renewal of our treaty with Japan. I remember the same
papers shrieking themselves hoarse with indignation when we first joined
hands with our little friends across the sea!"

His secretary approached Bransome and touched him on the shoulder.

"There is a person in the anteroom, sir," he said, "whom I think that
you ought to see."

The Duke nodded and passed on. The Secretary drew his chief on one side.

"This man has just arrived from Paris, sir," he continued, "and is the
bearer of a letter which he is instructed to deliver into your hands
only."

Bransome nodded.

"Is he known to us at all?" he asked. "From whom does the letter come?"

The young man hesitated.

"The letter itself, sir, has nothing to do with France, I imagine,"
he said. "The person I refer to is an American, and although I have no
positive information, I believe that he is sometimes intrusted with the
carrying of despatches from Washington to his Embassy. Once or twice
lately I have had it reported to me that communications from the other
side to Mr. Harvey have been sent by hand. It seems as though they had
some objection to committing important documents to the post."

Bransome walked through the crowded rooms by the side of his secretary,
stopping for a moment to exchange greetings here and there wi