f two women lying side by side--taken at
the morgue in Baltimore. Despite the rigor of death on the features,
the Minister could perceive in the face of the younger woman an
unmistakable resemblance to the girl upstairs. Greatly agitated, he
turned to the priest.

"How do I know," he asked, "that this--" pointing to the picture--"is
not Ruth Atheson?"

"I think," said the priest, "that you will have to take my word for
it--unless Your Excellency will verify my statement by an actual visit
to the morgue. The body is still unburied."

"I shall send to the morgue."

"Then for the present I will bid Your Excellency good morning. Before
going, however, I should like to emphasize that the lady now in your
custody is my niece. And Baron Griffin, of the Irish peerage, is
taking an active personal interest in the matter. Baron Griffin is now
in Washington and requests me to state that he will give you until
to-morrow morning to restore the lady to her friends. That will afford
ample time for a visit to Baltimore. Unless Miss Atheson is with us by
ten o'clock to-morrow morning the whole affair will be placed in the
hands of the British Ambassador and of our own State Department--with
all the details. I might add that I am stopping at the New Willard
Hotel."

The priest looked at His Excellency, who again felt the insistent
hammering of that "something" he should have remembered. The phrase,
"all the details," bore an almost sinister significance.

His Excellency gave a sudden start. "Atheson--Atheson." His voice was
tense and he spoke slowly. "What was her father's name?"

It was what the priest had been waiting for, had expected all along.
Forgotten for years--yes. But where was the diplomat who did not have
the information somewhere in his files? His face saddened as he
answered.

"Edgar Atheson."

"Etkar--"

But the priest raised his hand.

"_Edgar Atheson_--if you _please_."

The Minister bowed. "And you are the brother of--"

"Alice Murray," the priest interrupted quietly, with a touch of
dignified hauteur.

His Excellency was silent, and his visitor continued.

"I must also suggest to Your Excellency that the fate of the young
Italian officer is known to others beside myself. It would make
unfortunate state complications if the occurrence should be made
public. I wish Your Excellency good morning."

He turned to go, but the Minister stood between him and the door.

"One moment," he