CHAPTER XVI

HIS EXCELLENCY IS WORRIED

At eleven o'clock, His Excellency the Minister was handed a card which read:

"RIGHT REV. DONALD MURRAY, D.D."

Touching a bell, His Excellency summoned Wratslav.

"There is a clergyman," he said, "who calls on me. I do not know him, and of course I cannot guess his business. Perhaps you will see him."

The secretary bowed and went out. As he entered the reception room, Father Murray arose. Before the priest could speak, the secretary began:

"You desire to see His Excellency?"

Father Murray bowed.

"I am sorry, but His Excellency is very much engaged. He has requested me to ascertain the nature of your business."

"I regret that I may not tell you the nature of my business." Father Murray's reply was instant. "I may speak only to the Minister himself."

"Then," answered the secretary, "I regret to say that he cannot receive you. A diplomat's time is not his own. I am in his confidence. Could you not give me some inkling as to what you desire?"

"Since I cannot see him without giving you the information, you might say to His Excellency that I have come to speak to him in reference to Miss Ruth Atheson--" Father Murray paused, then added coolly: "He will understand."

The secretary bowed courteously. "I will deliver your message at once," he said.

In exactly one minute the Minister himself was bowing to Father Murray.

"I beg your pardon for detaining you, Reverend Sir, but, as my secretary explained, I am extremely busy. You mentioned Miss Atheson and, at least so I understand from my secretary, seemed to think I would know of her. In deference to your cloth, I thought I would see you personally, though I do not recall knowing anyone by that name.

Perhaps she wishes a _vise_ for a pa.s.sport?"

"That might explain it," answered Father Murray; "but I think she desires a pa.s.sport without the _vise_. I have reason to believe that Your Excellency knows something of her--rather--unexpected departure from her home in Siha.s.set. In fact, my information on that point is quite clear. I am informed that she was mistaken for another, a visitor in her home. Possibly she is here now. The pa.s.sport desired is your permission for her to return to her friends."

The Minister's face expressed blankness.

"You have been misinformed," he answered. "I know nothing of Miss Atheson. Would you kindly give me some of the facts? That is, if you think it necessary to do so. It is possible I might be able to be of service to you; if so, do not hesitate to command me."

"The facts are very easily stated," said the priest. "First, the young lady is my niece."

It was the Minister's boast--privately, understand--that he could always tell when a man believed himself to be telling the truth, and now--past master in the art of diplomacy though he was--he found it hard to conceal his shocked surprise at this confirmation of the girl's story.

"You say she left her home unexpectedly?"

"She was seized by two men and hurried to a waiting auto, Your Excellency."

"And this happened where?"

"At Siha.s.set. Your Excellency pa.s.sed through there quite recently, and will probably remember it."

The half-closed eyes almost smiled.

"Had your niece lived there long?"

"Only a few months. She arrived less than a week before her visitor."

Outwardly the Minister was calm, unmoved; but underneath the cold exterior the lurking fear was growing stronger. He must know more--all.

"Before that--?"

"She came direct from England, where she was visiting relatives."

"She was educated there perhaps?"

"She received her education princ.i.p.ally in Europe."

"She has traveled much, then?"

"She has spent most of her time in America since I came here; but she has many friends both in England and on the Continent, and visits them quite frequently. She has very special friends in San Sebastian."

"Ah!"

"Perhaps Your Excellency knows something about it now?"

"Nothing, I a.s.sure you. But I find your story very interesting, and regret that I can see no way of a.s.sisting you."

Father Murray perfectly understood the kind of man he was dealing with.

He must speak more plainly, suggesting in some degree the extent of his knowledge.

"I see, Your Excellency, that it will be necessary for me to mention another name, or rather to mention a t.i.tle. There are, in your Great Kingdom, dependent duchies, and therefore people called grand dukes, and others called grand d.u.c.h.esses. Does that help Your Excellency to understand?"

The Minister still had control of himself, though he was greatly worried.

"It does not, Reverend Sir," he answered, "unless you might possibly be able to introduce me to a grand d.u.c.h.ess _in America_. I am always interested in my countrymen--and women. If a grand d.u.c.h.ess were brought here--that is," he corrected himself, smiling courteously, "if a grand d.u.c.h.ess should call to see me, I should be glad to place my entire staff at your service to find the Ruth Atheson you speak of.

Perhaps your Reverence understands?"

"Thoroughly," said Father Murray. "I could not fail to understand.

But it would be difficult for me to bring a grand d.u.c.h.ess to call on you, since the only one I have ever known is, unfortunately, dead."

At last the Minister lost his _sang froid_. His face was colorless.

"Perhaps you will tell me the name of this grand d.u.c.h.ess whom you knew?"

"I think Your Excellency already knows."

"How did she die, and when?"