[HOW THE MINISTER'S NOTES WERE RECOVERED.]
THE STORY OF A BIT OF DIPLOMACY.
By Beatrice Heron-Maxwell.
Illustrated by Fred Pegram.
"It is like this, Frederic," said the United States Minister, button-holing Sir Frederic Rawnsley, and leading him to a deserted cosy-corner, "I am in a nasty hole! It must not be known, of course, but a slip of paper containing some important notes has got lost, and I have a horrible misgiving that it may have slipped inside the despatch we have just sent to Lord Westfaling. It won't do to ask, because it will only ensure their attention being attracted to it if it's there, and will betray our own laxity if it's not. Yet it must be found. What would you do?"
Sir Frederic thought for a moment; under his trivial exterior were some brains, as the Minister knew well.
"I should place the whole matter in the hands of Berend," he said, decisively.
The Minister looked dissatisfied.