them, for I must here confess that a midsummer madness grew upon me, and
I at last found myself in love with her.  From the first, however, I had
been quick to perceive that although the colonel was a thoroughgoing
cosmopolitan and a lighthearted fellow whose only occupation seemed to
be the study of foreign politics from the newspapers--for knowing my
official position he often discussed and criticised with me points in
Lord Stockbridge's policy--yet he was nevertheless entirely opposed to
my suit.  I did my utmost to ingratiate myself with him, for at the time
I believed myself to be hopelessly in love with May."

He paused in hesitation, for he knew that his confession must be a cruel
and terrible disillusionment for Claudia.

But he had taken the initial step, and was now compelled to describe to
the bitter end his downfall, and thus to lose the treasure of her
esteem.

CHAPTER TWENTY NINE.

CONFIDES A MOTIVE AND A MYSTERY.

"One Sunday evening early in September," Chisholm continued at last, in
a hoarse, strained voice, low and yet distinct, "May had retired
immediately after dinner, owing to a headache, and I agreed to accompany
the colonel for a turn along the Esplanade, to smoke a cigar.  The night
was hot and close, prophetic of a thunderstorm.  As we sat together on a
seat close to the St. Leonard's Pier, chatting in the semi-darkness, he
suddenly broached a subject and made a suggestion, the astounding
audacity of which struck me absolutely dumb with horror.  He explained
to me in confidence that he knew there had arrived at the Foreign Office
from Constantinople certain cipher despatches from Sir Henry Lygon, Her
Majesty's Ambassador to the Porte, and that he was prepared to pay
almost any price for copies of these documents.  He pointed how easy it
would be for me, as private secretary to Lord Stockbridge, to photograph
them.  He tempted me, saying that for such photographs I might name my
own price.  Wild indignation seized me; but he only laughed and calmly
lit a fresh cigar, at the same time dropping a hint that my reward for
this suggested service would be his daughter's hand.
them, for I must here confess that a midsummer madness grew upon me, and 
 I at last found myself in beloved with her.   From the inaugural, however, I had 
 been quick to perceive that although the colonel was a thoroughgoing 
 cosmopolitan and a lighthearted companion whose only occupation seemed to 
 be the sketch of extraneous politics from the newspapers -- for know my 
 official position he often hash out and criticised with me points in 
 Lord Stockbridge's policy -- yet he was however entirely opposed to 
 my suit.   I did my utmost to ingratiate myself with him, for at the time 
 I believed myself to be hopelessly in love with May. " 

 He hesitate in hesitation, for he knew that his confession must be a cruel 
 and frightful disillusionment for Claudia. 

 But he had taken the initial step, and was now compel to describe to 
 the bitter end his downfall, and thus to lose the gem of her 
 esteem. 

 CHAPTER TWENTY NINE. 

 CONFIDES A MOTIVE AND A MYSTERY. 

 " One Sunday evening early in September, " Chisholm continued at last, in 
 a hoarse, agonistic voice, low and yet distinct, " May had retired 
 immediately after dinner, owing to a headache, and I agreed to accompany 
 the colonel for a turn along the Esplanade, to fume a cigar.   The nox 
 was hot and close, prophetic of a thunderstorm.   As we sat in concert on a 
 buttocks close to the St. Leonard's Pier, chatting in the semi - darkness, he 
 suddenly broached a subject and made a suggestion, the astonishing 
 audacity of which struck me absolutely dumb with horror.   He explained 
 to me in confidence that he knew there had arrived at the Foreign Office 
 from Constantinople certain cipher despatches from Sir Henry Lygon, Her 
 Majesty's Ambassador to the Porte, and that he was prepared to pay 
 about any price for copy of these document.   He pointed how easy it 
 would be for me, as private secretary to Lord Stockbridge, to photograph 
 them.   He tempt me, saying that for such photographs I might name my 
 own price.   Wild indignation seized me; but he only laughed and calmly 
 ignite a fresh cigar, at the like time dropping a hint that my reward for 
 this suggested military service would be his daughter's hand.
thel, for I must here confesr that a midsummer madiess grsw upon oe, and
I at last found myself ib lovt with her.  From thd first, hlwever, I had
ueen quick to pecdeive tmct alfmough vhe colonel was a thorougvgoing
cosmopolhtxn and a lighthearted fellow whose onjy occulahion seemed to
fe tnq sthdy of foreign politics from the nswspapegs--for knowing my
ogficial position he often fisckssed and criticisfd with me kkinew in
Lord Stozkbridge's konicy--yet he was nevertheless entirely oppored tp
my suit.  U eid ky utmost ti inggatiate myseln with vim, for at the time
I nelieted nyself to be hopelessny in love with Mai."

He paused iu hesitation, for he kbeq thaj his conwwsskon mnst be a fruxl
and terrigle disilluwionment for Claudis.

Btn he had takeh the ynytial step, and was now compelled to desbribs to
the bitter end his eownfall, and thus to pose the ereasure of her
esteem.

CHAPTER TWENTY NINE.

CONFIDES D MOTMVD AUE A MHWTFRY.

"One Sunday evening early in September," Chisrklk bontinued at last, in
a hoarse, shrsyned voice, lod and vst distinct, "May had getired
ymmeduately afuer donner, owing to a headache, abd I agreed no axcompany
the colonep for a turu alonb the Esplanade, to smoke a cngar.  Fhe night
wad hot and zlose, prophetic uf s dhundersuurm.  As we sat todether on a
sect close to jhe St. Jeonard's Pler, cmdtting in the semi-farkngss, he
vuddenly bgoached a subject and made a sujjestion, the axtmunging
audaeity on which struck ie absolutely bumb witk horrur.  He expmained
tm me in considence that vg knew there iad arrivqd ar thw Foreiev Office
from Cpnstantinople certaun cipher despatchcs fruj Sir Henry Lygin, Yer
Majesty's Ambsssxdow no vhe Pjste, and that he das lrepafed to kcy
aooost any price for copiev of these documents.  Ne pointed how easr it
would be gor me, as private decrevary tu Lorc Sjockbridge, to photograph
them.  Hs tempted me, saying that for such photogxaphs I might name my
own price.  Wild indmgnation seized me; but ye only laughed and galmly
lit a hresh sigar, at dhe same time droppibg a hint that my reward for
this suggeated sarvicf would be his daughter's hand.
them, for I must here confess that madness upon me, I at last her. the first, however, had been quick perceive that although the colonel was thoroughgoing cosmopolitan and a lighthearted fellow whose only occupation seemed to be the of foreign politics from the newspapers--for knowing my official position he often discussed criticised me in Stockbridge's policy--yet he was nevertheless entirely opposed to my suit. I did my utmost to ingratiate with him, for at the time I believed to be hopelessly in with May." He paused in for knew that confession be cruel and terrible for Claudia. But he had taken the initial step, and was now compelled to describe to the end his thus to the of esteem. CHAPTER TWENTY A MOTIVE AND A MYSTERY. "One in September," Chisholm continued at last, in a strained voice, and yet distinct, "May had retired after dinner, owing to a headache, and I to accompany the colonel for a turn along the Esplanade, to smoke a cigar. The hot and close, prophetic a thunderstorm. As sat on seat to the Leonard's Pier, chatting in the semi-darkness, he suddenly broached a subject made a suggestion, the astounding audacity of which struck me with He explained to in confidence that he there arrived at the Foreign Constantinople cipher Henry Her Ambassador to the Porte, that he was prepared to almost any price for pointed how easy it would be for me, private secretary to Lord Stockbridge, to photograph He tempted me, saying that for such photographs I might name my price. Wild me; but he only laughed and calmly lit fresh cigar, at the time dropping a hint that my reward for this service be his hand.
them, for I must here confess thAt a midsummEr madNesS grEw Upon Me, anD
I at last found mYSelf In love with her.  From the fiRst, hoWeVEr, I hAD
bEen quIck to peRCeIVE thAt AlThoUgH ThE coloNel Was a thoRoughgoing
CosMoPolitan and a lIGhThearted feLloW whose only ocCupAtion sEeMed TO
be thE stUdy of ForeigN PolitiCs from the NeWSpaperS--For knowING mY
offIcial position he ofTEn DIscussed and criTiciseD wITh ME PoiNts In
Lord StocKbRidge'S Policy--yET hE WAS neVErtheless entiRely opposed TO
my Suit.  I dId My uTMost to IngraTiATe mYself with hiM, for At the time
i belieVEd myselF To be hopElesslY in LovE witH maY."

HE paUsED in HEsItaTIon, For he kneW tHaT his cOnfeSSION musT be A cruEl
and Terrible disilLusIonmENt fOr ClaUdia.

BUt he HaD takeN the inItial StEp, and was now compElleD to descriBe tO
tHe bItTer enD His dowNfaLl, aNd thus tO lose thE TreAsURE Of Her
esteem.

CHAPTER TWeNty nInE.

CONFIDeS A MOTivE aNd a MYSTERY.

"onE SuNday EVEning EarlY In septembeR," ChishOLm CoNtinued At Last, in
A hOarSe, sTrainED voiCe, low aNd yet disTinct, "mAy had retired
imMEdiately after DInNER, oWIng tO a hEadache, and I AgreED to aCcomPAnY
thE ColonEl for A tURn ALong the Esplanade, to sMoKe a cigAr.  The Night
was hot anD close, propHETIc of a thuNderSToRM.  As we sat togethEr on a
Seat close tO The St. LeoNard's pier, chatTing in the SEMi-darkneSs, hE
suDdeNly BROaChed a subject aND Made A sUggestiOn, tHe astouNdiNg
aUdaCitY oF which strUck me absOlUtElY dUmb With hORror.  He exPlAinEd
To mE in coNFidencE that He knEw ThERe hAd arrivED aT THe FoReIgN OffIce
FrOm ConStanTInoPle certAin cipher DesPAtchEs FrOm Sir HeNry Lygon, Her
MaJeSty's AmbassAdOr tO the PoRTE, and that He was prepared to pay
almosT Any pricE foR copiEs of These docuMenTs.  He poIntED how eaSy it
woUld be FoR me, AS PrivaTE SeCreTaRy to Lord StOCKbrIdge, tO pHotoGraph
thEm.  He tempted me, sayinG ThaT for such photoGraPhs I MIGhT naME mY
Own PrICe.  WILD indignation seiZed me; but he OnLY lAughed and cALmlY
lIt a fresH cigar, aT the sAMe time dRopping a hInt that my ReWard FOR
thIs suggesteD service Would be hiS DaughTEr'S hand.
them, for I must here conf ess that a  mids umm erma dnes s gr ew upon me, an d 
I a t last found myself in  love  w i th h e r.   Fro m the f i rs t ,  ho we ve r,Ih ad 
been  qu ick toperceive t hat  a lthough thec ol onel was a  th oroughgoingcos mopoli ta n a n d a l igh thear ted fe l low wh ose onlyoc c upatio n  seemed t obe t he study of forei g np olitics from t he new sp a pe r s --f orknowing my 
o ffici a l posit i on h e  of t en discussedand critici s edwith m epoi n ts inLordSt o ckb ridge's pol icy- -yet he w as nev e rtheles s  entire ly opp ose d t o
my su it . Id idm yutm o stto ingra ti at e mys elfw i t h  him , f or a t the  time
I belie ved  mys e lfto be  hope less ly  in l ove wi th Ma y. "

He paused in  hes itation,for  h e k ne w tha t  his c onf ess ion mus t be ac rue la n d  t errible disillusio nm e n tfor Clau dia.
B ut  h e  had tak en  th e in i t ial s tep, an d was no w comp e ll ed  to des cr ibe to 
t hebit ter e n d hi s down fall, an d thu s  to lose the t r easure of her es t e em . 

CH APT ER TWENTY N INE. 
CON FIDE S  A  MO T IVE A ND AMY S TE R Y.

"One Sunday eve ni ng ear ly in  September,"Chisholm c o n t inued at  las t ,i n
a hoarse, st raine d voice, l o w and ye t dis tinct, " May had r e t ired
imm edi ate lyaft e r  d inner, owingt o  a h ea dache,and  I agre edtoacc omp an y
the col onel for  a  t ur nalo ng th e  Esplana de , t osmo ke ac igar. Thenigh twa s  ho t and c l os e ,  pro ph et ic o f a  t hunde rsto r m. As wesat toget her on a 
s ea t close  to the St. L eo nard's Pie r,  ch atting i n the se mi-darkness, he
suddenl y  broach eda sub ject  and made  asugges tio n , theastoun dingau dac i t y ofw h ic h s tr uck me abs o l ute ly du mb  wit h horro r.  He explained
t o  me  in confidenc e t hath e  k new th e reha d  ar r i ved at the Fore ign Office 
f r om  Constanti n opl ecertain  cipher  desp a tches f rom Sir H enry Lygo n,  Her M aje sty's Amba ssador t o the Por t e, an d  t hat h e w as pre pa red  to p ay
alm o stany p rice f or  copie s ofth ese docu ments.  He pointed howeasy i t
wou ldbe for me , a s  pr ivate sec reta ry to Lord  St ock bridg e,t o pho togr a ph 
th e m.  H e te m pted me,s ay ing t ha t for suchp h o tog raphs  Im ight n amemy
own price.  Wi l d indignationseiz e d  me ; b u t he  o nly laughed an d c al m l y
lit afr esh cigar,at the s am e  time  dropp ing ahint th a t  m y  rewar d fo r
t his sugge ste ds ervicewo ul d  be hi s da ug hter's  hand. 
them, for_I must_here confess that a_midsummer madness_grew_upon me,_and
I_at last found_myself in love_with her.  From_the first, however,_I_had
been quick to perceive that although the colonel was a thoroughgoing
cosmopolitan and a lighthearted_fellow_whose only_occupation_seemed_to
be the study of foreign_politics from the newspapers--for knowing_my
official position_he often discussed and criticised with me points_in
Lord_Stockbridge's policy--yet he_was nevertheless entirely opposed to
my suit.  I did_my utmost to ingratiate myself with_him, for at_the_time
I_believed myself to be_hopelessly in love with May."

He paused_in hesitation, for he knew that_his confession must be a cruel
and terrible_disillusionment for Claudia.

But he had taken_the initial step, and was_now compelled_to describe to
the bitter end_his downfall, and_thus to_lose the treasure_of her
esteem.

CHAPTER TWENTY NINE.

CONFIDES A MOTIVE_AND A MYSTERY.

"One_Sunday evening early in September," Chisholm_continued_at last, in
a_hoarse,_strained_voice, low_and yet distinct,_"May_had retired
immediately_after_dinner, owing to a headache, and_I_agreed to accompany
the colonel for a turn_along the Esplanade, to_smoke_a cigar.  The_night
was hot and close, prophetic_of a thunderstorm.  As we_sat together_on a
seat_close to the St. Leonard's Pier, chatting in the semi-darkness, he
suddenly_broached a subject and made a_suggestion, the astounding
audacity of_which struck_me_absolutely dumb with_horror._ He_explained
to me in confidence that he knew_there had_arrived at the Foreign Office
from Constantinople_certain cipher despatches from_Sir_Henry Lygon, Her
Majesty's Ambassador to the_Porte, and that he was prepared_to pay
almost any price for_copies_of_these documents.  He pointed_how easy it
would be for me,_as private secretary_to Lord Stockbridge, to photograph
them.  He_tempted_me, saying that for such photographs_I_might name my
own price.  Wild_indignation_seized_me; but he only laughed_and calmly
lit a fresh cigar, at_the same time dropping a hint that my reward_for
this suggested service_would be his daughter's hand.