English essays -- 20th century; Short stories, English
Somewhat surprised at the compliment paid to his tailor, but entirely
unsuspicious, Lord Smith gave him the required address.
"Thanks," said the Major. "By the way, I've got to go out now; would you
mind waiting here till the Colonel comes back? He has left an extremely
important document on his table and I do not like to leave the room
unoccupied."
"Certainly, sir," said Lord Smith.
Left alone, our hero gave himself up to thought. For some reason he
distrusted the Major; he felt that they were rivals for the hand of
Rosamund Blowhard. On ten Sundays in succession he had been forced to
attend Church Parade, what time the Major and Rosamund were disporting
themselves on the golf links. It was only on Saturday afternoons that he
had a chance of seeing her alone, and yet he felt somehow that she loved
him.
"Ah, Smith, my boy," said the Colonel as he bustled in. "Always glad to
see you. My favourite subaltern," he went on, with his hand on the young
man's shoulder; "the best officer who ever formed a four at bridge--I
mean, who ever formed fours; and a holder of no fewer than three musketry
certificates."
Lord Smith smiled modestly.
"There, I must get on with my work," went on the Colonel, sitting down
at his table and turning over his papers. "You find me very--you find
me--you find--good Heavens!"
"What is it, sir?"
"I _don't_ find it--I've lost it; the secret document!"
"Was it very important, sir?"
"Important!" cried the Colonel. "If Hindenburg--but we must get to work.
Summon the guard, blow the fire-alarm, send for the Orderly Sergeant."
In less than a minute the room was full of armed men, including the
Major.
"Men of the Nth Blankshires," said the Colonel, addressing them, "a
document of enormous importance has been stolen from this room. Unless
that document is recovered the fair name of the Regiment will be
irretrievably tarnished."
"Never!" cried a Corporal of the Signalling Section, and there was a deep
murmur of applause.
"May I suggest, sir," said the Major, "that the pockets of all should be
searched? I myself am quite ready to set the example," and as he spoke
he drew out three receipted bills and a price list of tomatoes, and
placed them before the Colonel.
One by one they followed his example.
Suddenly all eyes were fixed on Second-Lieutenant Lord Smith, as
with horror and amazement upon his face he drew from his pocket the
official-looking envelope.
"I swear I never put it there, sir," he gasped.
"Perhaps I ought to tell you, sir," said the Major, "that I asked Lord
Smith to keep an eye upon the document during my absence. No doubt he
placed it in his pocket for safety."
Several men applauded this suggestion, for Lord Smith was a general
favourite.
The Colonel gave one glance at the envelope, and then, with fire flashing
from his eyes, held it up for all to see.
"How do you account for _this_?" he cried in a voice of thunder, and with
a gasp of horror they read the fatal words:
FOR HINDENBURG,
GERMANY
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account