The
business of the great Government he had the honour to represent was at
issue!
There being no help from that high and mighty quarter, she turned to
Harleston.
"Well," with a shrug of resignation, "I've lost and must pay. Here,"
opening the mesh-bag that she carried, "is the--"
She threw up her hand, and a nasty little automatic was covering the
Secretary's heart.
He gave a shout--and sat perfectly still. Mrs. Clephane, with an
exclamation of fear, laid her hand on Harleston's arm. Carpenter was
impassive. Harleston suppressed a smile.
"Tell them if I can shoot straight, Guy," Mrs. Spencer said pleasantly;
"and meanwhile do you all keep your exact distance and position. Speak
your piece, Mr. Harleston--tell his Excellency if I can shoot."
"I am quite ready to assume it without the testimony of Mr. Harleston,
or ocular demonstration in this immediate direction," the Secretary
remarked with a weak grin.
"Tell him, if I can shoot, Guy," she ordered.
"I've never seen her better," Harleston admitted "though I'm not at all
fearful for your Excellency. Mrs. Spencer won't shoot; she's only
bluffing. If you'll say the word, I'll engage to disarm her."
"Meanwhile what happens to his Excellency?" Madeline Spencer mocked.
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