The Paducah evening sun. [volume] (Paducah, Ky.) 1906-1929, 1908-07-17

trail cut through the fallen leaves Dy
countless caribou. he would smile IRON
ically at the amazement and alarm
which must have been caused by his
absence, not only In his own empire,
but in the United States where were
those who had caused his disappear
ance.
And In both surmises he was cor
rect: but the distress IN the American
republic was perhaps the most keen.
Not since the beginning OF hostilities
had the president and his associates
suffered such grave apprehensions as
when II became known to a certainty
that Brockton's endeavor had met
with accident or disaster.
On the first day when the expedition
failed to return from its voyage OF
cancellation no undue alarm was oc-
cssioned. II being considered entirely
possible that 1t had been compelled to
| return directly to the key to avoid
observation. Another "a hours OF
silence caused comment: but again II
was regarded as tenable that barrier
In the first quest had required sec
ond trip. The third day passed with
anxious expectations but no news.
The fourth. however. was memor.
able one; for then Il became known 10
the entire civilized world that the
heads OF a nation had been abducted,
aud the situation In Washington grew
almost unbearable.
In response TO an urgent message TO
the plant. "Old Bill' Roberts. Norma.
and Bevins appeared on the nth
night, utilizing the new radioplane for
their visit. The gravity Of the con-
sultation which followed was intense:
but the faith OF the inventor In his
work afforded some measure Of re-
lief.
1T would be almost impossible" he
asserted. for anything worse to be-
fall them than delay. They may have
been cast away In the air or on the
land by an accident to their steering
gear, which would require flight In
straight lines. Nothing but a blow
such as was sustained by Seventeen
In battle could even temporarily stop
both dynamos; hence II is improbable
that they lost their lives"
Step by step he reasoned out the
course which would be pursued. and at
last gave II as his opinion that the
Norma had come TO ground in Cana.
dian woods. He suggested searching
expeditions. even though IL entailed
the exposure OF the secret. the aban.
donment OF the Oriental campaign.
and the opportunity to establish per
msnent peace. The president alone
stood steadfast for the latter hope.
and was quick TO offer a new plan. u
was that the people OF Great Britain
themselves should have a conclusive
and flal denomination. aud. yielding
10 bis arguments. Il was agreed upon.
| The project was no less daring than
those which had been executed before.
The Dreadnought was 20 be deposited
| In the Thames under cover OF dark
ness. and In an apparently impossible
position, where the people Of London
might look upon II as an object les
son. Immediately afterwards the king
and his most powerful officials were
to be shown the working OF the radio
| plane. that they might be. In position
to advance measures for peace and
disarmament, terrifying their argu.
ments by their own observations. The
utmost secrecy was to be maintained.
because in the meantime the Chinese
armada might have sailed In case II
had not, the secret would be given out
and search begun actively for the
missing Norma and her distinguished
passengers; but in any event British
support would have been assured.
Bevins. foreseeing the difficulty OF
his task. asked and obtained permits
sion to invite the British admiral to
accompany him, the wisdom OF which
was evidenced Favored by the diff
ference In time. the speedy Roberts
on that very night crossed the Allan
tic and deposited letters TO secret
service agents In London, instructing
them 10 obtain positive knowledge OF
where the king might be found the
following evening. On her return she
conveyed Fields and the Dreadnought
to the key. preparatory to the mo-
| mentous journey.
That fight which was again TO dis.
turb the thrones OF Europe was 40
complished without incident, but not
without difficulty. The Roberts
swooped down from the heights OF
air. untenanted save by her. 20 find
spread between the earth and sky
blanket OF fog. thick and impene-
trable. Into II she slowly dropped.
cropping this way and that over the un.
suspecting city. whose sounds came
up to her but gave no hint as TO
locality. Aimlessly she wandered here
and there in the murk. taking desper-
(, ate chances In her quest Suddenly
something doomed directly below the
open port. from which Bevins was
leaning and peering down, and only
| quick change OF course avoided a col
lision. Fields Joined him, and iden-
titled the dome of Saint Paul's. II
was narrow escape, but enabled
them to set their course and gain the
deserted green's OF Saint James Park.
where Beyins was lowered by ropes