The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1900-07-31
A War Office Secret.

new explosive or a new drill movement,
and If the Horse Guards gave me a c m
mission, l reckon they would notice thar,
| and would tell their respective war
| offices that they had better look out
now Our military attaches are abroad
for the same purpose They're just spies
! in peace tine. When I was at Hythe
qualifying for two guns and a crown
over my three stripes there was great
mystery about the Maxim: in fact, we
who were undergoing instruction as in
Structors were never shown the ne
chaaism of the block. The Instructor
of the Hythe staff used always to tahe
that out Of the gun and hold it oshin1
while he explained the other parts. And
that was what made me curious 10 see
the block. I was working very nard II
the evenings, yet for my healths sake
I lad to walk now and then into Folke-
stone and along the Leas. And there I
met young foreign person who told
me she was lady's maid.
Il do love 10 hear about all that con-
Germs you. Tell me all about what you
do at the school Of musketry."
oh, it's all very simple, mamselle,'
said I. Then, just to show her what
clever fellow 1 was. began to give her,
full account OF all the difficult things
we had TO do. And of course, among
other things, I spoke of the machine
guns. Then L went on to tell her the
mechanism Of the Maxim.
But the funniest thing about It all
is that they won't let US see the works
Of the block, although we are to quail
ify for musketry instructors
"'And of the most important part Of
the gun you know nothing?'
~ have general idea
"A man who is as clever as you IN
mechanics and mathematics ought to
know all about 1t. I should be curious
to know il were you
8, 4 could easily find out all about il
I if cared 90 take the trouble
." Trouble, What is trouble to a sci
entific man? II I were you l should
think nothing Of any little trouble. Now,
will spur you for your own good and
to advance you in the service. I am
curious, for your sake, to know about
this gun. I'll bet you what you like
you don't explain the mechanism Of the
block to me within a month. Your ex-
plantations make even dry old figures in
teresting.'
land I can name the stakes?'
Certainly
A kiss
II can't bet you that
But 1 was to name the stakes
"'Oh, 1 couldn't think of it..
Z" There's no need for you TO think OF
it, Mamselle. You've only TO do it, 1
have your word. you know. If you are
honorable
"'Sirp
Then, the bet is OFF,
NO. 1 gave you my word. 1t is an
noy.ng. But 1 will keep my word.
The next Maxim day we were gathered
round the instructor, who was Keeling
out his Maxim yarn. He had taken
out the block and was holding it in his
fingers behind his Maxim yarn. I had
my notebook in my hand, and 1 slipped
behind him.
That evening 1 was sitting among
a lot of other men. had a sheet of fools
cap and was busy making a sketch Of
the action in India ink.
Halo, young man. said the instruc-
tor, who had been looking over my
shoulder unbeknown to me, what have
you got there?'
You ought to know as we'll If not
better than I, sergeant-instructor.'
81 4 do know. But where did you get it?'
That's my business.
Well, you must give 1t up
On, no, shan't.'
wen see what Lieutenant Brown
says about that.
If Lieutenant Brown says I must
give 1t up, I will But not unless
Come along, then, to his quarters.
This Is Sergeant Harding. Duke Of
Cornwalrs Light Infantry, sir. said the
sergeant-instructor. when we reached
Lieutenant Browns room. He has a
sketch of the Maxim secret action and
refuses to give 1t up.
'How's this, Sergeant Harding? ask
ed Lieutenant Brown.
The sketch is my own, sir. I re-
-
structor, but said L would give it up at
once, If you ordered me. But I have
made one sketch, and, if you take that
away from me, 1 have the action in my
mind, and can always make another
sketch
That's quite true Yet such things
had better not be knocking about You
viii destroy the sketch, Sergeant Hard
ing?'
Yes thought I, when I have shown
1t and won my bet
And how did you get hold Of it?'
I took it down IN my notebook
while the sergeant-instructor held the
block behind his back
The NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. looked foolish,
and Lieutenant Brown drawled:
u think, ergeant-lnstructor, you had
better have settled this little matter
without appealing to me. Goodnight,
both
The sergeant-instructor was too upset
to want to see the sketch destroyed. I
lost very little time in strolling down TO
that quiet spot where I might chance
to Fight on mam-selle. Not that, IN
view OF what is TO come, l wish IN any
way 10 say or to hint or TO imply that
she was French. Far from II. I used
the name rMam'selle' as meaning young
foreign person
Good evening, Mam'selle,' said I.
Had You any idea Of going on the pier
this evening. or do you prefer TO stop
quietly here?
To stop here, think; that is she
said hurriedly-I wonder why-ff you're
We'll, said l, as We won my bet.
I think I may as well collect the
stakes
You've won? You know all about
the Maxim asked she. so excitedIy that
her words tumbled one over the other.
4 have told you So.
Yes; but you are. sure?'
Quite. I have an Indian ink sketch
of Il on me-
Let me see it--let me see it. she re-
peated- And her eyes cleaned
Quite So, said l. Seeing Is beHev-
ing; butt should like to collect NY
stakes
NO longer coy. she flung her arms
around my neck and kissed me TIL I
had no breath with which t. repay her
kisses. But she herself had breath
enough 70 gasp:
Give ma the paper
Il put ny hand fl tire h-esst pocket
az my serge. which I always ured u
wear under my great coat. began 70
pull out the drawing. Just then / heard
the drawing voice of Lieutenant brown
come from the darknssz-,or we we're IN
q very quiet and cosy corner;
I thought a. much. Sergeant Esrd-