June 27, 2023 • 30 mins
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Espionage adventures, Covert operations, Thrilling missions, International intrigue, Spy thriller, Government agents, Undercover work, Secret intelligence, Political espionage, Intriguing conspiracies, High-stakes espionage, Intelligence gathering, Hidden identities, Espionage secrets, Political thrillers, Spy network, Secret missions, Classified operations, Intrigue and suspense, Government secrets
Espionage adventures, Covert operations, Thrilling missions, International intrigue, Spy thriller, Government agents, Undercover work, Secret intelligence, Political espionage, Intriguing conspiracies, High-stakes espionage, Intelligence gathering, Hidden identities, Espionage secrets, Political thrillers, Spy network, Secret missions, Classified operations, Intrigue and suspense, Government secrets
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(00:00):
Chapter twenty in the Shadow of theCapital. It won't be long until they're
all back, with their pretty clothesand their jeweled bags and their air of
innocent sophistication. But until at leasta dozen of them gather here, Washington
won't be itself again. Bill Quinnand I had been discussing the change which
(00:24):
had come over Washington since peace haddisrupted the activities of the various war organizations.
And then, after a pause,the former member of the Secret Service
had referred to them and to theirpretty clothes. What do you mean,
I inquired, With the possible exceptionof some prominent politicians, I don't know
(00:48):
any one whose presence is essential tomake Washington itself again, And certainly nobody
ever accused politicians, with the possibleexception of j. Lewis of wearing pretty
clothes, even he didn't carry ajeweled bag. I wasn't thinking of congressmen,
or senators, or even members ofthe cabinet, replied Quinn with a
(01:12):
smile. Like the poor, theyare always with us. And also,
like the poor, there are timeswhen we would willingly dispense with them,
But the others they make life worthliving, particularly for members of the Secret
Service, who are apt to bea bit bored with the monotony of chasing
(01:34):
counterfeiters and guarding the president. Theones I refer to are the beautifully gowned
women, whose too perfect English oftenbetrays their foreign origin, almost as certainly
as would a dialect. They aresent here by various governments abroad to find
out things which we would like tokeep secret, and their presence helps to
(01:56):
keep Washington cosmopolitan and interesting during thewar. Well, if you recall the
case of Jimmy Callahan and the electricsign at Norfolk, the affair which I
believe you wrote under the title ofa flash in the Night, you know
what happened to those who were caughtplotting against the government. In times of
(02:19):
peace, however, things are different. Why isn't a spy always a spy
so far as their work is concerned. They are but by a sort of
international agreement tacit but understood, thosewho seek to pry into the affairs of
other governments during the years of peaceare not treated with the same severity as
(02:44):
when a nation is fighting for itslife. But surely we have no secrets
that a foreign government would want Iprotested. That's one of the earmarks of
a republic. Everything is aired inthe open, even dirty linen. Quinn
didn't answer for a moment, andwhen he did reply, there was a
(03:07):
reminiscent little smile playing around the cornersof his mouth. Do you remember the
disappearance of the plans of the battleshipPennsylvania? He asked, yes, I
think I do. But as Irecall it, the matter was never cleared
up officially. It wasn't unofficially itwas at least there are several persons connected
(03:32):
with the United States Secret Service whoare positive that Sylvia Stern lifted the blueprints.
And afterward, well, we mightas well begin the story at the
first chapter. The name she wasknown by on this side of the Atlantic,
continued, the former government agent wasnot that of Stern, though subsequent
(03:54):
investigations proved that that was what shewas called in Paris, and Enna,
and Rome and London. When shearrived in Washington, her visiting cards bore
the name of the Countess Stefani,and as there are half a dozen counts
of that name to be found inthe peerages of as many principalities, no
(04:15):
one inquired too deeply into her antecedents. Yes, she admitted that there was
a count somewhere in the background,but she led those who were interested to
the conclusion he had never understood herpeculiar temperament, and that therefore she was
so journeying in Washington seeking pleasure andnothing more. A slow, soulful glance
(04:40):
from her violet eyes usually accompanied thestatement and caused the man to whom the
statement was made it was always aman to wonder how anyone could fail to
appreciate so charming a creature. Charmingis really a very good word to apply
to the Countess Sylvia. Her mannerwas charming, and her work was likewise
(05:03):
charming secrets and invitations and news outof those with whom she came in contact.
Her first public appearance, so faras the Secret Service was concerned,
was at one of the receptions atthe British Embassy. She was there on
invitation, of course, but itwas an invitation secured in her own original
(05:26):
way. Immediately upon arriving in Washington, she had secured an apartment at Brickley
Court, an apartment which chanced tobe directly across the hall from the one
occupied by a missus Sheldon, ayoung widow with a rather large acquaintance in
the diplomatic set. Some ten daysafter the Countess Sylvia took up her residence
(05:48):
on Connecticut Avenue, she visited oneof the department stores and made several purchases,
ordering them sent C O D toher apartment. Only, instead of
giving the number as four thirty six, her tongue apparently slipped and she said
four thirty seven, which was MissusSheldon's number. Of course, if the
(06:14):
parcels had been paid for or charged, they would have been left at the
desk in the lobby, But beingcollect the boy brought them to the door
of four thirty seven, as wasonly natural. Missus Sheldon was about to
order them returned when the door acrossthe hall opened and the Countess, attired
(06:35):
in one of her most fetching housegowns, appeared and explained the mistake.
How stupid of me, she exclaimed, I must have given the girl the
wrong apartment number. I'm awfully sorryfor troubling you, Missus Sheldon. The
widow, being young, could notrestrain the look of surprise when her name
(06:58):
was mentioned by a woman who wasa stranger. But the Countess cut right
in with you probably don't remember me, but we met two years ago on
Derby Day in London. The countand I had the pleasure of meeting you
through Lord Cartwright, but it wasjust before the big race, and when
I looked around again, you hadbeen swallowed up in the crowd. Missus
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Sheldon had been at the Derby twoyears before, as the Countess doubtless knew
before she arrived in Washington, andalso she remembered having met a number of
persons during that eventful afternoon. Sothe rest was easy for Sylvia, particularly
as the first half hour of theirconversation uncovered the fact that they had many
(07:45):
mutual friends, all of whom,however, were in Europe. Through Missus
Sheldon, the Countess met a numberof the younger and lesser lights of the
diplomatic corps, and the invitation tothe reception at the Bridge Embassy was hers
for the suggestion. Before the eveningwas over, several men were asking themselves
(08:07):
where they had met that very charmingcountess before. Some thought it must have
been in Paris, others were certainthat it was in Vienna, and still
others maintained that her face brought backmemories of their detail in Saint Petersburg,
the name of the Russian capital hadnot then been altered. Sylvia didn't enlighten
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any of them. Neither did shevolunteer details save for the vaguest nature,
contenting herself with knowing glances which hintedmuch, and bits of frothy gossip which
conveyed nothing. The beauty of herface and the delicate curves of her figure
did the rest. Before the eveningwas over, she had met at least
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the younger members of all the principalembassies and legations, not to mention three
men whose names appeared upon the rosterof the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations.
To one of these, Senator Latimer, she paid particular attention, assuring him
that she would be honored if hewould drop in some afternoon for tea,
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an invitation which the gentleman from Iowaaccepted with alacrity a few days later.
As was afterward apparent, the Countesshad arranged her schedule with considerable care.
She had arrived in Washington early inthe fall, and by the time the
season was well under way, shehad the entree to the majority of the
(09:41):
semi private functions teas and receptions anddances to which a number of guests were
invited. Here, of course,she had an opportunity to pick up a
few morsels of information crumbs which fellfrom the tables of diplomacy. But that
wasn't what she was after. Shewanted a copy of a certain confidential report
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referring to American relations abroad. Andwhat's more, she'd have gotten it if
she hadn't overstepped herself through what mighthave been termed in vulgar circles pumping Senator
Latimer. Though the Countess's casual inquiriesfrom time to time evinced only a natural
interest in the affairs of the world, Sylvia found out that the report would
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be completed early in March, andthat a copy would be in the Senator's
office for at least two days,or what interested her more, two nights.
She didn't intimate that she would liketo see it. That would have
been too crude. In fact,she definitely turned the subject and made the
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Senator believe that she was interested onlyin his views with respect to the stabilization
of currency or some such topic farremoved from the point they had mentioned just
before he left. However, SenatorLatimer mentioned that there was going to be
a big display of fireworks around theWashington Monument the following evening, and inquired
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if the Countess would be interested inwitnessing the celebration. Surely said she,
why not, Let's watch them fromthe roof here. We ought to be
able to get an excellent view.I've got a better idea than that,
was the senatorial reply. We'll godown to the State War and Navy Building.
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The windows on the south side oughtto be ideal for that purpose,
and there won't be any trouble aboutgetting in. I'll see to that,
he added, with just a touchof pomposity. So it happened that among
the dozen or more persons who occupiedchoice seats in a room in the Navy
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Department that next night were the HonorableArthur H. Latimer and the Countess Stefani.
The next morning, it was discoveredthat plans relating to certain recent naval
improvements radical changes, which were tobe incorporated in the Battleship Pennsylvania, were
missing. The chief learned of theloss about nine thirty, and by ten
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o'clock every available man was turned looseon the case, with instructions to pry
into the past records and watch thefuture actions of the people who had been
in the room on the previous evening, because he particularly requested it. Owen
Williams, whose connection with the SecretService was not a matter of general information,
(12:48):
was detailed to learn what he couldof the Countess Stefani. I've run
into her a couple of times recently, he told the Chief. And there's
something not altogether on the level aboutthe lady. I don't suppose we have
time to cable abroad and trace theparticular branch of the family to which he
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claims to belong, But I havea hunch that she is not working altogether
in the interest of Europe. Acertain yellow skinned person whom we both know
has been seen coming out of BrickleyCourt on several occasions within the past month,
And well, the Countess is worthwatching trail her, then snapped the
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Chief. The Department has asked forquick action in this case, for there
are reasons which render it inadvisable forthose plans to get out of the country,
right, replied Williams, settling hishat at a rather jaunty angle and
picking up his gloves and stick I'llkeep in close touch with you and report
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developments. If you wunt me withinthe next couple of hours, I'll probably
be somewhere around Brickley Court. TheCountess never rises until around noon, but
that morning, as william soon discovered, something appeared to have interfered with the
routine of the Fair Sylvia. Shehad called the office about nine o'clock,
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made an inquiry about the New Yorktrains, ordered a chair reserved on the
eleven and a taxi for ten fortyfive, all of which gave Owen just
enough time to phone the chief,tell him of the sudden change in his
plans and suggest that the Countess's roombe searched during her absence. Tell New
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York to have someone pick up Stefanias soon as she arrives. Williams concluded,
I'm going to renew my acquaintance withher en route, find out where
she's staying, and frame an excusefor being at the same hotel. But
I may not be able to accompanyher there, so have some one trail
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her from the station. I'll makeany necessary reports through the New York office.
Just after the train pulled out ofBaltimore, the Countess Stefani saw a
young and distinctly handsome man whose facewas vaguely familiar, rise from his seat
at the far end of the carand come toward her. Then, as
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he reached her chair, he halted, surprised. This is luck, he
exclaimed, I never hope to findyou on the train Countess going through to
New York. Of course, ashe spoke, the man's name came back
to her, together with the factthat he had been pointed out as one
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of the eligible young bachelors who apparentlydid but little and yet had plenty of
money to do it with. Oh, mister Wills, you gave me a
bit of a start. At first. Your face was in the shadow and
I didn't recognize you. Yes,I'm just running up for a little shopping.
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Won't be gone for more than aday or two, for I must
be back in time for the DeMauri dance on Thursday evening. You are
going, I suppose, thankful forthe opening. Williams occupied the vacant chair
next to hers, and before theyreached Avre de Grass, they were deep
in a discussion of people and affairsin Washington. It was not Williams's intention,
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however, to allow the matter tostop there. Delicately, but certainly,
he'd led the conversation into deeper channels, exerting every ounce of his personality
to convince the Countess that this wasa moment for which he had longed an
opportunity to chat uninterruptedly with the mostcharming woman in Washington. This is certainly
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the shortest five hours I've ever spent, he assured his companion, as the
porter announced their arrival at Manhattan Transfer. Can't I see something more of you
while we are in New York.I'm not certain when I'll get back to
Washington, and this glimpse has beenfar too short. Are you going to
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stop with friends? No at theVanderbilt. Suppose you call up tomorrow morning
and bou see what I can do. Why not a theater party this evening?
I'm sorry, but I have anengagement right tomorrow morning. Then,
and the operative said goodbye with aclear conscience, having noted that one of
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the men from the New York officewas already on the job. Later in
the evening, he was informed thatthe Countess had gone to Dirictley to her
hotel, had dressed for dinner,and then, after waiting in the lobby
for nearly an hour, had eatena solitary meal, and had gone back
to her room, leaving word atthe desk that she was to be notified
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immediately if anyone called, but noone had. The next morning, instead
of phoning, Williams dropped around tothe Vanderbilt and had a short session with
the house detective, who had alreadybeen notified that the Countess Stefani was being
watched by Secret Service operatives. Thehouseman, however, verified the report of
(18:40):
the operative who had picked up theCountess at the station. She had received
no callers and had seen no onesave the maid. Any phone messages,
not one, any mail, justa newspaper, evidently one that a friend
had mailed from Washington. The addresswas in a feminine hand. And tell
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the maid that I want the wrapperof that paper if it's not in the
Countess's room, interrupted Williams. Idon't want the place searched for it,
but if it happens to be inthe wastebasket, be sure I get it.
A moment later, he was callingthe Countess Stefani, presumably from the
office of a friend of his inWall Street. I'm afraid I can't see
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you today, and Sylvia's voice appearedto register infinite regret. I wasn't able
to complete a little business deal Ihad on last night, succumbed to temptation
and went to the theater, soI'll have to pay for it today.
Here, William suppressed a chuckle,both at the manner in which the lady
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handled the truth and at the factthat she was palpably ignorant that she had
been shadowed. I'm returning to Washingtonon the Congressional but I'll be sure to
see you at the Damaris, Won'tI please come down for my sake?
I'll do it, was Owen's reply. And I can assure you that my
(20:18):
return to Washington will be entirely becauseI feel that I must see you again
au revoir until Thursday night on theCongressional limited. Eh, he muttered as
he stepped out of the booth.Maybe it's a stall, but I'll make
the train just the same. Evidentlyone of the lady's plans has gone to
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miss. Here's the wrapper you wanted, said the house detective, producing a
large torn envelope, slit lengthwise andstill showing by its rounded contour that it
had been used to enclose a rollednewspapers, replied Williams, as he glanced
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at the address. I thought,so thought, what come over here a
minute, and he steered the detectiveto the desk, where he asked to
be shown the register for the precedingday. Then, pointing to the name
Countess Sylvia Stefani on the hotel sheetand to the same name on the rapper,
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he asked, note everything, thehandwriting is the same. Precisely.
The Countess mailed this paper herself atthis hotel before she left Washington, and
if I'm not very much mistaken,she'll mail another one to herself in Washington
before she leaves New York. Youwant it intercepted? I do not.
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If Sylvia is willing to trust thePost Office department with her secret I certainly
am, but I intend to beon hand when the paper arrives. Sure
enough, Just before leaving for thestation that afternoon, Williams found out from
his ally at the Vanderbilt that theCountess had slipped a folded and addressed newspaper
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into the mailbox in the lobby.She had then paid her bill and entered
a taxi, giving the chauffeur instructionsto drive slowly through Central Park. Siebert,
the operative who was trailing her,reported that several times she appeared to
be in the point of stopping,but had ordered the taxi driver to go
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on, evidently being suspicious that shewas followed and not wishing to take any
chances of this. Though Williams knewnothing for a glance into one of the
cars and the Congressional Limited had beensufficient to assure him that his prey was
aboard the rest of the trip,and the smoker so that he might not
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run into her. In Washington,however, a surprise awaited him. Instead
of returning at once to Brickley Court, the Countess checked her bag at the
station and hired a car by thehour, instructing the driver to take her
to the Chevy Chase Club. Williams, of course followed in another car,
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but had the ill fortune to losethe first taxi in the crush of machines,
which is always to be noted ondance nights at the club, and
it was well on toward morning beforehe could locate the chauffeur he wanted to
reach. According to that individual,the lady had not gone into the club
at all but changing her mind,had driven on out into the country,
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returning to Washington at midnight. Didshe meet anyone, demanded Williams not a
soul, Sir said she just wantedto drive through the country, and that
she had to be at the SenateOffice Building at twelve o'clock. The Senate
Office Building, echoed the operative,at midnight, Did you drop her there?
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I did, sir. She toldme to wait, and she was
out again in five minutes, usingthe little door in the basement, the
one that's seldom locked. I thoughtshe was the wife of one of the
senators. Then I drove her toUnion Station to get her bag, and
then to Brickley Court, where shepaid me and got out. The moment
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the chauffeur had mentioned the Senate OfficeBuilding, a mental photograph of Senator Latimer
had sprung to William's mind, forthe affair between the countess and the Iowa
Statesman was public property. Telling thechauffeur to wait in the outer room,
the operative called the Latimer home andinsisted on speaking to the Senator. Yes,
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it's a matter of vital importance,he snapped. Then a few moments
later, when a gruff but sleepyvoice inquired what he wanted. This is
Williams of the Secret Service speaking,Senator. Have you any documents of importance
international importance in your office at thepresent moment? No, nothing of particular
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value. Wait a minute. Acopy of a certain report to the Committee
on Foreign Relations arrived late yesterday,and I remember seeing it on my desk
as I left. Why what's thematter? Nothing except that I don't think
that report is there now, repliedWilliams. Can you get to your office
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in ten minutes, I'll be there. But a thorough search by the two
of them failed to reveal any traceof the document. It had gone vanished
in spite of the fact that thedoor was locked as usual, Senator announced
the government agent, a certain womanyou know, took that paper. She
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got in here with a false key, lifted the report, and was out
again in less than five minutes.The theft occurred shortly after midnight. And
if you know so much about it, why don't you arrest her? I
shall before the hour is up.Only I thought you might like to know
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in advance how your friend, theCountess Steffani worked. She was also responsible
for the theft of the plans ofthe Battleship Pennsylvania, you know, and
Williams was out of the room beforethe look of amazement had faded from the
senator's face. Some thirty minutes later, the Countess Sylvia was awakened by the
(27:03):
sound of continued rapping on her door. In answer to her query, who's
there, a man's voice replied,open this door, or I'll break it
in. Williams, however, knewthat his threat was an idle one,
for the doors at Berkley Court werebuilt of solid oak that defied anything short
(27:26):
of a battering ram, which wasthe reason that he had to wait a
full five minutes, during which timehe distinctly heard the sound of paper rattling,
and then the rasp of a matchas it was struck. Finally,
the Countess, attired in a bewitchingnegligee, threw open the door. Ah,
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she exclaimed, So what is you, mister Williams? What do you
you know? What I want?Growled O. That paper you stole from
Latimer's office tonight. Also the plansyou lifted from the Navy Department, the
ones you mailed in New York yesterdayafternoon, and which were waiting for you.
(28:12):
Here find them was the woman's mockingchallenge. As Williams's eyes rolled over
the room and finally rested on apile of crumbled ashes beside an alcohol lamp
on the table, A moment's examinationtold him that a blueprint had been burned,
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but it was impossible to tell whatit had been, and there was
no trace of any other paper inthe ashes. Search her, he called
to a woman in the corridor,I'm going to rifle the mailbox downstairs.
She can't get away with the sametrick three times, And there in an
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innocent looking envelope addressed to a certainpersonage whose names stood high in the diplomatical
list, Williams discovered the report forwhich a woman risked her liberty and gambled
six months of her life. Butthe plans, I asked, as Quinn
finished, Evidently that was what shehad burned. She'd taken care to crumple
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the ashes so that it was animpossibility to get a shred of direct evidence.
Not that it would have made anydifference if she hadn't. The government
never prosecutes matters of this kind,except in time of war. They merely
warned the culprit to leave the country. And never return. Which is the
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reason that while you'll find a numberof very interesting foreigners in Washington at the
present moment, the Countess Sylvia Stefaniis not among them. Neither is the
personage to whom her letter was addressed. He was recalled a few weeks later.
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End of chapter twenty
Chapter twenty in the Shadow of theCapital. It won't be long until they're
all back, with their pretty clothesand their jeweled bags and their air of
innocent sophistication. But until at leasta dozen of them gather here, Washington
won't be itself again. Bill Quinnand I had been discussing the change which
(00:24):
had come over Washington since peace haddisrupted the activities of the various war organizations.
And then, after a pause,the former member of the Secret Service
had referred to them and to theirpretty clothes. What do you mean,
I inquired, With the possible exceptionof some prominent politicians, I don't know
(00:48):
any one whose presence is essential tomake Washington itself again, And certainly nobody
ever accused politicians, with the possibleexception of j. Lewis of wearing pretty
clothes, even he didn't carry ajeweled bag. I wasn't thinking of congressmen,
or senators, or even members ofthe cabinet, replied Quinn with a
(01:12):
smile. Like the poor, theyare always with us. And also,
like the poor, there are timeswhen we would willingly dispense with them,
But the others they make life worthliving, particularly for members of the Secret
Service, who are apt to bea bit bored with the monotony of chasing
(01:34):
counterfeiters and guarding the president. Theones I refer to are the beautifully gowned
women, whose too perfect English oftenbetrays their foreign origin, almost as certainly
as would a dialect. They aresent here by various governments abroad to find
out things which we would like tokeep secret, and their presence helps to
(01:56):
keep Washington cosmopolitan and interesting during thewar. Well, if you recall the
case of Jimmy Callahan and the electricsign at Norfolk, the affair which I
believe you wrote under the title ofa flash in the Night, you know
what happened to those who were caughtplotting against the government. In times of
(02:19):
peace, however, things are different. Why isn't a spy always a spy
so far as their work is concerned. They are but by a sort of
international agreement tacit but understood, thosewho seek to pry into the affairs of
other governments during the years of peaceare not treated with the same severity as
(02:44):
when a nation is fighting for itslife. But surely we have no secrets
that a foreign government would want Iprotested. That's one of the earmarks of
a republic. Everything is aired inthe open, even dirty linen. Quinn
didn't answer for a moment, andwhen he did reply, there was a
(03:07):
reminiscent little smile playing around the cornersof his mouth. Do you remember the
disappearance of the plans of the battleshipPennsylvania? He asked, yes, I
think I do. But as Irecall it, the matter was never cleared
up officially. It wasn't unofficially itwas at least there are several persons connected
(03:32):
with the United States Secret Service whoare positive that Sylvia Stern lifted the blueprints.
And afterward, well, we mightas well begin the story at the
first chapter. The name she wasknown by on this side of the Atlantic,
continued, the former government agent wasnot that of Stern, though subsequent
(03:54):
investigations proved that that was what shewas called in Paris, and Enna,
and Rome and London. When shearrived in Washington, her visiting cards bore
the name of the Countess Stefani,and as there are half a dozen counts
of that name to be found inthe peerages of as many principalities, no
(04:15):
one inquired too deeply into her antecedents. Yes, she admitted that there was
a count somewhere in the background,but she led those who were interested to
the conclusion he had never understood herpeculiar temperament, and that therefore she was
so journeying in Washington seeking pleasure andnothing more. A slow, soulful glance
(04:40):
from her violet eyes usually accompanied thestatement and caused the man to whom the
statement was made it was always aman to wonder how anyone could fail to
appreciate so charming a creature. Charmingis really a very good word to apply
to the Countess Sylvia. Her mannerwas charming, and her work was likewise
(05:03):
charming secrets and invitations and news outof those with whom she came in contact.
Her first public appearance, so faras the Secret Service was concerned,
was at one of the receptions atthe British Embassy. She was there on
invitation, of course, but itwas an invitation secured in her own original
(05:26):
way. Immediately upon arriving in Washington, she had secured an apartment at Brickley
Court, an apartment which chanced tobe directly across the hall from the one
occupied by a missus Sheldon, ayoung widow with a rather large acquaintance in
the diplomatic set. Some ten daysafter the Countess Sylvia took up her residence
(05:48):
on Connecticut Avenue, she visited oneof the department stores and made several purchases,
ordering them sent C O D toher apartment. Only, instead of
giving the number as four thirty six, her tongue apparently slipped and she said
four thirty seven, which was MissusSheldon's number. Of course, if the
(06:14):
parcels had been paid for or charged, they would have been left at the
desk in the lobby, But beingcollect the boy brought them to the door
of four thirty seven, as wasonly natural. Missus Sheldon was about to
order them returned when the door acrossthe hall opened and the Countess, attired
(06:35):
in one of her most fetching housegowns, appeared and explained the mistake.
How stupid of me, she exclaimed, I must have given the girl the
wrong apartment number. I'm awfully sorryfor troubling you, Missus Sheldon. The
widow, being young, could notrestrain the look of surprise when her name
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was mentioned by a woman who wasa stranger. But the Countess cut right
in with you probably don't remember me, but we met two years ago on
Derby Day in London. The countand I had the pleasure of meeting you
through Lord Cartwright, but it wasjust before the big race, and when
I looked around again, you hadbeen swallowed up in the crowd. Missus
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Sheldon had been at the Derby twoyears before, as the Countess doubtless knew
before she arrived in Washington, andalso she remembered having met a number of
persons during that eventful afternoon. Sothe rest was easy for Sylvia, particularly
as the first half hour of theirconversation uncovered the fact that they had many
(07:45):
mutual friends, all of whom,however, were in Europe. Through Missus
Sheldon, the Countess met a numberof the younger and lesser lights of the
diplomatic corps, and the invitation tothe reception at the Bridge Embassy was hers
for the suggestion. Before the eveningwas over, several men were asking themselves
(08:07):
where they had met that very charmingcountess before. Some thought it must have
been in Paris, others were certainthat it was in Vienna, and still
others maintained that her face brought backmemories of their detail in Saint Petersburg,
the name of the Russian capital hadnot then been altered. Sylvia didn't enlighten
(08:31):
any of them. Neither did shevolunteer details save for the vaguest nature,
contenting herself with knowing glances which hintedmuch, and bits of frothy gossip which
conveyed nothing. The beauty of herface and the delicate curves of her figure
did the rest. Before the eveningwas over, she had met at least
(08:54):
the younger members of all the principalembassies and legations, not to mention three
men whose names appeared upon the rosterof the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations.
To one of these, Senator Latimer, she paid particular attention, assuring him
that she would be honored if hewould drop in some afternoon for tea,
(09:18):
an invitation which the gentleman from Iowaaccepted with alacrity a few days later.
As was afterward apparent, the Countesshad arranged her schedule with considerable care.
She had arrived in Washington early inthe fall, and by the time the
season was well under way, shehad the entree to the majority of the
(09:41):
semi private functions teas and receptions anddances to which a number of guests were
invited. Here, of course,she had an opportunity to pick up a
few morsels of information crumbs which fellfrom the tables of diplomacy. But that
wasn't what she was after. Shewanted a copy of a certain confidential report
(10:05):
referring to American relations abroad. Andwhat's more, she'd have gotten it if
she hadn't overstepped herself through what mighthave been termed in vulgar circles pumping Senator
Latimer. Though the Countess's casual inquiriesfrom time to time evinced only a natural
interest in the affairs of the world, Sylvia found out that the report would
(10:30):
be completed early in March, andthat a copy would be in the Senator's
office for at least two days,or what interested her more, two nights.
She didn't intimate that she would liketo see it. That would have
been too crude. In fact,she definitely turned the subject and made the
(10:52):
Senator believe that she was interested onlyin his views with respect to the stabilization
of currency or some such topic farremoved from the point they had mentioned just
before he left. However, SenatorLatimer mentioned that there was going to be
a big display of fireworks around theWashington Monument the following evening, and inquired
(11:15):
if the Countess would be interested inwitnessing the celebration. Surely said she,
why not, Let's watch them fromthe roof here. We ought to be
able to get an excellent view.I've got a better idea than that,
was the senatorial reply. We'll godown to the State War and Navy Building.
(11:37):
The windows on the south side oughtto be ideal for that purpose,
and there won't be any trouble aboutgetting in. I'll see to that,
he added, with just a touchof pomposity. So it happened that among
the dozen or more persons who occupiedchoice seats in a room in the Navy
(11:58):
Department that next night were the HonorableArthur H. Latimer and the Countess Stefani.
The next morning, it was discoveredthat plans relating to certain recent naval
improvements radical changes, which were tobe incorporated in the Battleship Pennsylvania, were
missing. The chief learned of theloss about nine thirty, and by ten
(12:24):
o'clock every available man was turned looseon the case, with instructions to pry
into the past records and watch thefuture actions of the people who had been
in the room on the previous evening, because he particularly requested it. Owen
Williams, whose connection with the SecretService was not a matter of general information,
(12:48):
was detailed to learn what he couldof the Countess Stefani. I've run
into her a couple of times recently, he told the Chief. And there's
something not altogether on the level aboutthe lady. I don't suppose we have
time to cable abroad and trace theparticular branch of the family to which he
(13:09):
claims to belong, But I havea hunch that she is not working altogether
in the interest of Europe. Acertain yellow skinned person whom we both know
has been seen coming out of BrickleyCourt on several occasions within the past month,
And well, the Countess is worthwatching trail her, then snapped the
(13:33):
Chief. The Department has asked forquick action in this case, for there
are reasons which render it inadvisable forthose plans to get out of the country,
right, replied Williams, settling hishat at a rather jaunty angle and
picking up his gloves and stick I'llkeep in close touch with you and report
(13:56):
developments. If you wunt me withinthe next couple of hours, I'll probably
be somewhere around Brickley Court. TheCountess never rises until around noon, but
that morning, as william soon discovered, something appeared to have interfered with the
routine of the Fair Sylvia. Shehad called the office about nine o'clock,
(14:22):
made an inquiry about the New Yorktrains, ordered a chair reserved on the
eleven and a taxi for ten fortyfive, all of which gave Owen just
enough time to phone the chief,tell him of the sudden change in his
plans and suggest that the Countess's roombe searched during her absence. Tell New
(14:46):
York to have someone pick up Stefanias soon as she arrives. Williams concluded,
I'm going to renew my acquaintance withher en route, find out where
she's staying, and frame an excusefor being at the same hotel. But
I may not be able to accompanyher there, so have some one trail
(15:07):
her from the station. I'll makeany necessary reports through the New York office.
Just after the train pulled out ofBaltimore, the Countess Stefani saw a
young and distinctly handsome man whose facewas vaguely familiar, rise from his seat
at the far end of the carand come toward her. Then, as
(15:30):
he reached her chair, he halted, surprised. This is luck, he
exclaimed, I never hope to findyou on the train Countess going through to
New York. Of course, ashe spoke, the man's name came back
to her, together with the factthat he had been pointed out as one
(15:50):
of the eligible young bachelors who apparentlydid but little and yet had plenty of
money to do it with. Oh, mister Wills, you gave me a
bit of a start. At first. Your face was in the shadow and
I didn't recognize you. Yes,I'm just running up for a little shopping.
(16:11):
Won't be gone for more than aday or two, for I must
be back in time for the DeMauri dance on Thursday evening. You are
going, I suppose, thankful forthe opening. Williams occupied the vacant chair
next to hers, and before theyreached Avre de Grass, they were deep
in a discussion of people and affairsin Washington. It was not Williams's intention,
(16:37):
however, to allow the matter tostop there. Delicately, but certainly,
he'd led the conversation into deeper channels, exerting every ounce of his personality
to convince the Countess that this wasa moment for which he had longed an
opportunity to chat uninterruptedly with the mostcharming woman in Washington. This is certainly
(17:03):
the shortest five hours I've ever spent, he assured his companion, as the
porter announced their arrival at Manhattan Transfer. Can't I see something more of you
while we are in New York.I'm not certain when I'll get back to
Washington, and this glimpse has beenfar too short. Are you going to
(17:25):
stop with friends? No at theVanderbilt. Suppose you call up tomorrow morning
and bou see what I can do. Why not a theater party this evening?
I'm sorry, but I have anengagement right tomorrow morning. Then,
and the operative said goodbye with aclear conscience, having noted that one of
(17:51):
the men from the New York officewas already on the job. Later in
the evening, he was informed thatthe Countess had gone to Dirictley to her
hotel, had dressed for dinner,and then, after waiting in the lobby
for nearly an hour, had eatena solitary meal, and had gone back
to her room, leaving word atthe desk that she was to be notified
(18:15):
immediately if anyone called, but noone had. The next morning, instead
of phoning, Williams dropped around tothe Vanderbilt and had a short session with
the house detective, who had alreadybeen notified that the Countess Stefani was being
watched by Secret Service operatives. Thehouseman, however, verified the report of
(18:40):
the operative who had picked up theCountess at the station. She had received
no callers and had seen no onesave the maid. Any phone messages,
not one, any mail, justa newspaper, evidently one that a friend
had mailed from Washington. The addresswas in a feminine hand. And tell
(19:06):
the maid that I want the wrapperof that paper if it's not in the
Countess's room, interrupted Williams. Idon't want the place searched for it,
but if it happens to be inthe wastebasket, be sure I get it.
A moment later, he was callingthe Countess Stefani, presumably from the
office of a friend of his inWall Street. I'm afraid I can't see
(19:30):
you today, and Sylvia's voice appearedto register infinite regret. I wasn't able
to complete a little business deal Ihad on last night, succumbed to temptation
and went to the theater, soI'll have to pay for it today.
Here, William suppressed a chuckle,both at the manner in which the lady
(19:53):
handled the truth and at the factthat she was palpably ignorant that she had
been shadowed. I'm returning to Washingtonon the Congressional but I'll be sure to
see you at the Damaris, Won'tI please come down for my sake?
I'll do it, was Owen's reply. And I can assure you that my
(20:18):
return to Washington will be entirely becauseI feel that I must see you again
au revoir until Thursday night on theCongressional limited. Eh, he muttered as
he stepped out of the booth.Maybe it's a stall, but I'll make
the train just the same. Evidentlyone of the lady's plans has gone to
(20:41):
miss. Here's the wrapper you wanted, said the house detective, producing a
large torn envelope, slit lengthwise andstill showing by its rounded contour that it
had been used to enclose a rollednewspapers, replied Williams, as he glanced
(21:02):
at the address. I thought,so thought, what come over here a
minute, and he steered the detectiveto the desk, where he asked to
be shown the register for the precedingday. Then, pointing to the name
Countess Sylvia Stefani on the hotel sheetand to the same name on the rapper,
(21:26):
he asked, note everything, thehandwriting is the same. Precisely.
The Countess mailed this paper herself atthis hotel before she left Washington, and
if I'm not very much mistaken,she'll mail another one to herself in Washington
before she leaves New York. Youwant it intercepted? I do not.
(21:52):
If Sylvia is willing to trust thePost Office department with her secret I certainly
am, but I intend to beon hand when the paper arrives. Sure
enough, Just before leaving for thestation that afternoon, Williams found out from
his ally at the Vanderbilt that theCountess had slipped a folded and addressed newspaper
(22:17):
into the mailbox in the lobby.She had then paid her bill and entered
a taxi, giving the chauffeur instructionsto drive slowly through Central Park. Siebert,
the operative who was trailing her,reported that several times she appeared to
be in the point of stopping,but had ordered the taxi driver to go
(22:40):
on, evidently being suspicious that shewas followed and not wishing to take any
chances of this. Though Williams knewnothing for a glance into one of the
cars and the Congressional Limited had beensufficient to assure him that his prey was
aboard the rest of the trip,and the smoker so that he might not
(23:03):
run into her. In Washington,however, a surprise awaited him. Instead
of returning at once to Brickley Court, the Countess checked her bag at the
station and hired a car by thehour, instructing the driver to take her
to the Chevy Chase Club. Williams, of course followed in another car,
(23:26):
but had the ill fortune to losethe first taxi in the crush of machines,
which is always to be noted ondance nights at the club, and
it was well on toward morning beforehe could locate the chauffeur he wanted to
reach. According to that individual,the lady had not gone into the club
at all but changing her mind,had driven on out into the country,
(23:51):
returning to Washington at midnight. Didshe meet anyone, demanded Williams not a
soul, Sir said she just wantedto drive through the country, and that
she had to be at the SenateOffice Building at twelve o'clock. The Senate
Office Building, echoed the operative,at midnight, Did you drop her there?
(24:18):
I did, sir. She toldme to wait, and she was
out again in five minutes, usingthe little door in the basement, the
one that's seldom locked. I thoughtshe was the wife of one of the
senators. Then I drove her toUnion Station to get her bag, and
then to Brickley Court, where shepaid me and got out. The moment
(24:42):
the chauffeur had mentioned the Senate OfficeBuilding, a mental photograph of Senator Latimer
had sprung to William's mind, forthe affair between the countess and the Iowa
Statesman was public property. Telling thechauffeur to wait in the outer room,
the operative called the Latimer home andinsisted on speaking to the Senator. Yes,
(25:06):
it's a matter of vital importance,he snapped. Then a few moments
later, when a gruff but sleepyvoice inquired what he wanted. This is
Williams of the Secret Service speaking,Senator. Have you any documents of importance
international importance in your office at thepresent moment? No, nothing of particular
(25:32):
value. Wait a minute. Acopy of a certain report to the Committee
on Foreign Relations arrived late yesterday,and I remember seeing it on my desk
as I left. Why what's thematter? Nothing except that I don't think
that report is there now, repliedWilliams. Can you get to your office
(25:55):
in ten minutes, I'll be there. But a thorough search by the two
of them failed to reveal any traceof the document. It had gone vanished
in spite of the fact that thedoor was locked as usual, Senator announced
the government agent, a certain womanyou know, took that paper. She
(26:19):
got in here with a false key, lifted the report, and was out
again in less than five minutes.The theft occurred shortly after midnight. And
if you know so much about it, why don't you arrest her? I
shall before the hour is up.Only I thought you might like to know
(26:41):
in advance how your friend, theCountess Steffani worked. She was also responsible
for the theft of the plans ofthe Battleship Pennsylvania, you know, and
Williams was out of the room beforethe look of amazement had faded from the
senator's face. Some thirty minutes later, the Countess Sylvia was awakened by the
(27:03):
sound of continued rapping on her door. In answer to her query, who's
there, a man's voice replied,open this door, or I'll break it
in. Williams, however, knewthat his threat was an idle one,
for the doors at Berkley Court werebuilt of solid oak that defied anything short
(27:26):
of a battering ram, which wasthe reason that he had to wait a
full five minutes, during which timehe distinctly heard the sound of paper rattling,
and then the rasp of a matchas it was struck. Finally,
the Countess, attired in a bewitchingnegligee, threw open the door. Ah,
(27:51):
she exclaimed, So what is you, mister Williams? What do you
you know? What I want?Growled O. That paper you stole from
Latimer's office tonight. Also the plansyou lifted from the Navy Department, the
ones you mailed in New York yesterdayafternoon, and which were waiting for you.
(28:12):
Here find them was the woman's mockingchallenge. As Williams's eyes rolled over
the room and finally rested on apile of crumbled ashes beside an alcohol lamp
on the table, A moment's examinationtold him that a blueprint had been burned,
(28:33):
but it was impossible to tell whatit had been, and there was
no trace of any other paper inthe ashes. Search her, he called
to a woman in the corridor,I'm going to rifle the mailbox downstairs.
She can't get away with the sametrick three times, And there in an
(28:55):
innocent looking envelope addressed to a certainpersonage whose names stood high in the diplomatical
list, Williams discovered the report forwhich a woman risked her liberty and gambled
six months of her life. Butthe plans, I asked, as Quinn
finished, Evidently that was what shehad burned. She'd taken care to crumple
(29:19):
the ashes so that it was animpossibility to get a shred of direct evidence.
Not that it would have made anydifference if she hadn't. The government
never prosecutes matters of this kind,except in time of war. They merely
warned the culprit to leave the country. And never return. Which is the
(29:41):
reason that while you'll find a numberof very interesting foreigners in Washington at the
present moment, the Countess Sylvia Stefaniis not among them. Neither is the
personage to whom her letter was addressed. He was recalled a few weeks later.
(30:03):
End of chapter twenty
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