Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1907-04-04
CHAPTER II (continued.)

piled the Japanese. I'VE are under
oders. and we trust you will not put
us to the disagreeable necessity IF
using force"
well, go ahead" said Hardy cheeri-
~, and II you find anything out Of
the ordinary, I'll eat it."
They stepped briskly up to him and
began to run their hands rapidly and
deftly over his clothing and through
his pockets. Az they worked, he
talked.
"If this had happened in Russia
now, where every man Is suspected
Of being an anarchist or spy, l
shouldn't have wondered at 1t But we
Americans have begun to look on you
Japanese as civilized people. We call
you the Yank,- hello, what's that?"
Tney had taken from his overcoat
pocket a boundle Of papers which they
opened under the electric bulb hang
Ing from wire in the middle of the
room and began to examine. Hardy
stepped forward briskly, out of cur
iosity, but one of them threw out an
arm as rigid as bar Of steel and
pushed him back as easily as if lie
were child. AS nearly as he could
tell from the distance thus maintain
ed, the paper seemed to be covered
with drawings and plans of some kind.
~ never saw tnat befpre!" he ex-
cl;.lmed, much wondering. They
went out together and left him inI
the middle OF the room. Having moth
ing better to do, he lighted cigar
cite and attempted to study It all out,
standing there with his hands in his
pockets.
81 only hope they don't keep this
farce up till miss my train" hel
unused! Il nave, bought my ticket"
He was not kept waiting long. The
general himself came to see him.
"Of what am accused asked
Hardy, and why am l subjected to
these indignities?"
The general also spoke English.
He had shrewd, fearless, penetrating
eyes, and an absolutely Lispassionate
businesslike air.
You can not brazen the matter
out" he replied. '"The papers found
on your person leave little doubt as
to the nature Of your mission In this
country"
II should like to see those papers,"
said Hardy, II can not imagine what
they are, that you should be inter
ested In them. didn't know that
had any papers in my overcoat
pocket"
The general smiled.
We shall be under the necessity
Of detainig you," he said, and of ex-
aiming you more at our leisure
He pushed a button In the wall. Two
soldiers entered. "You will go with
these men,"
But you are making some great
mistake, that will get you all into
trouble. / am well-known American
citizen, now on my way to Russia.
arrived only this morning, direct from
my country. demand to be taken
before the American CONSUL or,
better will send for him"
You say you arrived this morn.
ing?" asked the general Hardy's
earnestness was SO great that it was
almost convincing. Besides, the jap
anese had no desire to ALLEVIATE Ameri-
can sympathy.
Come out into my Office and wait
a while" he said; II will telephone
to your CONSUL
Hardy found Neville still waiting in
the Office smoking cigar and ap-
pearing quite cheerful, under the cir.
cumstances.
ooh, this is good Of you to wait for
me-" said the American, sitting
B down.
Couldn't help It, my dear fellow"
replied Neville. "rhey haven't let me
go yet"
"But what do they suspect me of?
What have Il what have we done?
wa ruJ, of
were that they found in my overcoar
pocket?"
Not the least in the World, but
simply spelling for a fight with Rus
sia. They talk and think Of nothing
else. Japan is volcano Of war,
ready to erupt at any moment. Con
sequently, they are suspicious Of
foreigners. They probably take you
for Frenchman or Russian,- a
spy in fact"
Neville spoke quite loud. SO that It
was possible for any of the officials
standing near to hear him. Hardy
admired his imperturbability. The
consul soon arrived, forceful man
who understood his business. Hardy
produced his passport, a card, and sew.
eral letters.
II am on my way to Russia" he
said, ITO take place with the Ameri.
can Trading Company at Stryetensk
have bought my ticket, and must
get off in the morning"
The consul led him to one side.
"Those papers found on you are
plans and specifications of the forti
fications here" he whispered. "Tne
authorities were rendered suspicious
of you today through finding you In
the act of photographing the harbol
dcfenses. They have developed youl
films and they find a very good pic
ture of the forts and the approach II
them by sea"
Hardy laughed.
IT do seem to be deep and darl
villain, don't I? Yet, assure you
was only taking an innocent view @
the town"
"But how did you come by thu
plans ana drawings?"