ellamy," Dorward exclaimed, speaking hoarsely and still a little
out of breath, "I guess I've had the biggest slice of luck that was
ever dealt out to a human being. If only I can get safe out of
this city, I tell you I've got the greatest scoop that living man
ever handled."

"You don't mean that--"

Dorward wiped his forehead and interrupted.

"It's the most amazing thing that ever happened," he declared, "but
I've got it here in my pocket, got it in black and white, in the
Chancellor's own handwriting."

"Got what?"

"Why, what you and I, an hour ago, would have given a million for,"
Dorward replied.

Bellamy's expression was one of blank but wondering incredulity.

"You can't mean this, Dorward!" he exclaimed. "You may have
something--just what the Chancellor wants you to print. You're
not supposing for an instant that you've got the whole truth?"

Dorward's smile was the smile of certainty, his face that of a
conqueror.

"Here in my pocket," he declared, striking his chest, "in the
Chancellor's own handwriting. I tell you I've got the original
verbatim copy of everything that passed and was resolved upon this
afternoon between the Czar of Russia, the Emperor of Austria and
the Emperor of Germany. I've got it word for word as the Chancellor
took it down. I've got their decision. I've got their several
undertakings."

Bellamy for a moment was stricken dumb. He looked toward the door
and back into his friend's face aglow with triumph. Then his power
of speech returned.

"Do you mean to say that you stole it?"

Dorward struck the table with his fist.

"Not I! I tell you that the Chancellor gave it to me, gave it to
me with his own hands, willingly,--pressed it upon me. No, don't
scoff!" he went on quickly. "Listen! This is a genuine thing.
The Chancellor's mad. He was lying in a fit when I left the Palace.
It will be in all the evening papers. You will hear the boys
shouting it in the streets within a few minutes. Don't interrupt
and I'll tell you the whole truth. You can believe me or not, as
you like. It makes no odds. I arrived punctually and was shown up
into the anteroom. Even from there I could hear loud voices in the
inner chamber and I knew that something was up. Presently a little
fellow came out to me--a dark-bearded chap with gold-rimmed glasses.
He was very polite, introduced himself as the Chancellor's physician,
regretted exceedingly that the Chancellor was unwell a