The commercial. (Union City, Tenn.) 190?-193?, 1906-03-02

He had been dean of the Departmei
Of electricity in the national unive
sity, when transferred to the militaI
service, having. prior to this been q
instructor In one of the national mil
tary schools. In appearance he wa
scholastic, his figure spare and ben
his hair and eyes gray, and his fac
nin-jowled.
| He was alone In his Office, lookin
out Of the window across the Potoma
the only inactive figure in the Wa
Department-when one of his aides OIL
tered the room.
"Curtis had been located" said th
aide. "He is at Kiel. We got his sis
nal followed by some code which /
being Transcribed"
Another aide came in.
Curtis says he is effectually hidden
and can send electrigraphs if wo car
AXE them"
"Where is he?" asked Montrus eager
ly.
Scouting the Upper Air.
He says he is out Of the path OF
their scouts, and thinks he is safely
posted. He must be above them"
Can you reach him?"
I'VE have, but he warns us not to
try often. / suppose his position is
precarious at best"
Tell him to send what he can" an
swered Montrus. "I'll go into the
tower to take it."
A hundred yards farther us the Po-
tomac, stood gigantic tower, the exact
longitude and latitude of which was
burned in the memory of every opera
tive in the secret service. To this,
Months and his aides fastened, being
carried directly to the summit by lift.
While the aides adjusted the films
and reflector Of the electro-photogra
pher, Montrus stood at the railing look
ing out over the peaceful river scene
and drumming his fingers on the wood
en- bars.
Il think 1t Is coming" said one Of
IF the aides finally; and the general
stepped over to adjust about his head
he hood which shut all light from
he eyes looking at the reflector.
Looking Across the Ocean.
At first this remained in black and
nky darkness. Then came little waves
II dim light which rippled across its
surface. These ripples became strong
II; indistinct shapes, unacceptable
Ind mystic, seemed to rise out of its
lepths. They cleared away, and there
rev up in their place the forms of a
,ity's roofs and towers, which stood
evealed in distinct outlines for mo-
nent and then seemed to drop further
nd further down into the reflector.
White, f1eecy clouds came between
he eye and the city's roofs, the lat
er growing less and less distinct.
here was a sweep of a dark object
thwart the clouds. 1t crossed the en-
Ire reflector, plotting it out in black
ess again, but light followed almost
Again nothing but the white
louds, but finally far-off flock of
pecks, which came nearer and nearer
ntil they stood out each distinctly and
separately, clear-cut in outline and
lentity. There they stood.
Aerial Torpedo Boats.
Montrus almost held his breath as he
In his eyes over them. For ten min
ties he studied. Then he drew the
pod from his head, and looked out
Ter the river scene again.
"a hundred, / should say" he re-
arlSed at last, quietly, but in great
tterness. Every one ready. In
venty-four hours from the time those
vful fools in Congress declare war,
ose hundred torpedo ships will be '
IRE. Tell Curtis we've seen enough"
With that he went back to his office, {
id in moodiness took his post by the
lndow again. Nothing he could plan t
uld avert the calamity he had seen
readiness. Presently one Of the {
des came in again. q
"a government electrician is out b
1e," he announced, land insists on ?
eing you. We have done everything
get rid Of him but throw him off the
ounds."
The man stopped and waited expect
tly.
TELL him" said Montrus angrily,
t stopped. LET him in" he con.
lded, sullenly.
Young Inventor to the Rescue.
The aide went out and came back
tn the shock-headed electrician who
d spent the night before by the buile-
board. His embarrassment was
Eat, but his earnestness equalled 1t.
Q former showed in his awkward
sture and twitching fingers; the lat
I, In the direct look with which he
lght the generals eyes.
Well" exclaimed MoEtTus, sharply
i have a concentrator--I want you
look at It'll thought" he began
itedly, but ended brokenly in the
Q of cold stare from Montrus.
Here it Is" he concluded, unfolding J
prints.
dontrus cast one careless and a
ond interested glance at the plans.
drew up chair and studied them,
moodiness giving away to keen APP
citation. Then he pushed them
ay.
You seem to have something" he
1. "Some other time, IL there's
thing left of this country, some
err time I'll look at them. But not !
'. can't now"
Death to Distant Fleet.
But you don't understand ex- -
med Atslns, quickly and vehement wi
"Now's the time, don't you see2 MI
1t will direct million volts-two all
lion volts accurately, to any dis tn