Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-12-01

night be overestimated; but the passage of
lays proved that he might be menace to the
eneral plan.
1t was hourly expected that the presence of
he radioplanes would be required IN the West
o meet the Chinese. In view of this necessity
was decided to despatch Brockton and len-
Inns to Berlin on a mission of diplomacy. They
we're ordered to visit the Kaiser at night, land
hg at time and place where they could escape
observation induce the Emperor and his Chan
|elor to get aboard the radioplane, and then,
[fter it had been demonstrated that Germany
would be powerless in the event of war, to
feliver messages announcing that the United
states purposed to gain what support she
ould for worlds peace voluntarily, but
would compel it if need be.
Jenkins was familiar with the German capt.
al having been naval attache there for
lumber of years. 1t was he who evolved the
"details. The American Ambassador was I'M
ware of his country's defense until informed
bn the night of the arrival, and was speedily
Unlisted in the enterprise. Through him the
Kaiser granted the interview, which led to his
listing the radioplane which had been brought
o rest beyond the outskirts of the city.
Brocktons task proved most difficult one;
or the Emperor, a man of science and inter-
sted in all engines of warfare, insisted on
being conveyed not only to the plant on the
key, but across Chesapeake Bay, where he
might look down upon the British fleet The
hight was ideal for the purpose, Nature seeming
o lend herself in behalf of peace. The Norma.
how fully fitted and comfortable, was utilized
or the mission. Like all others of the Amer
can feet, she carried provision sufficient to
Fnable her to pass many times round the world
n case of emergency.
The Kaiser marveled at the display of in
genuity, and was told all but the secret, with
Put which no one could cast the radioactive
metal. He was even permitted to handle the
Steering levers and direct her flight for time,
and entered into this with the enthusiasm of
boy. He would have driven her through the
air at speed which would have heated her
interior had he not been cautioned, and relin-
pushed his place in the hood only when the
shores of the western continent were reached
and doomed darkly far below.
1t had not been Brockton's intention to
show him over the plant on the key; but the
6overeign insisted that he should be permitted
10 alight, it being his first visit to America,
which he had always longed to make, but had
never anticipated. He was permitted to trav-
|erse the great machine shops and view the
working Of the blast furnace, and also to gaze
kt the formidable feet of monsters that rested
Idly along the beach Muffled in his great coat
10 avoid recognition he was strictly incognito,
and met neither the inventor, the assistant,
nor Bevins, who many hours before had retired
TO their rest.
His mood of curiosity had given way to one
him aboard and started northward He sat
Silently in the central chamber of the radio
plane, taking no part in the conversation be-
tween the Chancellor and Brockton, until the
machine lowered over the waters of the Chesa-
peake, on the bosom of which, at anchor,
rested the British feet, and then discussed the
possibility of crossing the continent to Lake
Washington.
Brockton was compelled to enter protest,
explaining that inasmuch as the element of
time for his return must enter into their cal
culations, they had only small margin. The
Kaiser remembered that he was in machine
which annihilated space: but that in travelling
from the west to the east the difference in the
rising hour of the sun meant much in maintain
ling secrecy; so he reluctantly relinquished
the idea.
But it will not trouble you, will it, to carry
me across the Gordon which has been estab-
lished between your country and Canada on
the homeward fight" he asked, and to this
Brockton assented.
They turned to the north, and at high al
titude saw far below them the constant glow
of searchlights dotting out in streamers of
white the boundary line between the two
countries. As far as the eye could reach to the
east and the west the watch was being MAIN
tanned increasingly. The Kaiser recovered his
good humor laughed, and then, having nothing
more to view below, returned to the hood,
where he again asked permission to manipulate
the machine.
Jenkins was not pleased by the recklessness
vpbi loot riyr,er tod