The Columbus journal. (Columbus, Neb.) 1874-1911, 1908-12-16

Guy Hitler in particular. His meet
ing Of the night before with Miss
Roberts had not terminated satisfac'
torily, but had come to an abrupt
close when he babe her good night at
the door of her home, and with all
his questions unanswered. Since that
moment there had been little time for
him either to brood over the situation
or to conjecture over her strange at
titude.
Throughout the early morning he
hurried this way and that, receiving
visitors and answering requests for in
formation from Great Britain. His
superior, heated and exasperated,
broke in upon him almost as he was
starting to call up Miss Roberts resi-
dence.
Guy" the ambassador said, I'VE arc
in q country of lunatics. There is
something in this governments atti-
tude that is inexplicable. 1t can't be
that they are all towards, and yet l
have something to show you"
The ambassador drew q handker-
chief from his sleeve and wiped the
perspiration from his forehead, after
which he reached large pudgy finger
over to the secretary's desk, pressing
there on pearl-topped electric button.
Walters" he said to the usher
who came into the room in answer to
the summons. neither Mr.. Hitler nor
myself is here. and we won't be back
for an hour; that is what you are to
say without exception" Then as the
attendant bowed himself out he beck
oned the secretary to follow him into
the seclusion of his private Office.
Hitler" he began. throwing a
paper on the desk before the secre-
tary, who had seated himself on the
opposite side, read that"
The secretary saw before him q
code telegram neatly interpreted be-
tween the lines. 1t was evidently an
Official order addressed to a fleet CON-
mander at Callao, Peru.
What do you make of that" he
asked in tone of great disgust, and
then, as Hitler started to question
him. put up his hand for silence. mo,
it doesn't matter where l got it, or
how had it decided; it is genuine, all
right"
The secretary stared at him with a
look of blank Interrogation on his
face, while the ambassador rose from
the seat into which he had thrown
himself only a moment before, leaned
over his desk. resting himself on the
knuckles of his clenched hands, and
said:
That is an order from the secretary
OF the navy positively commanding all
the vessels owned by the United
States in Pacific waters to return
without delay to Baltimore. It's a /
shame, that's what it is! The other
nations of the world should intervene
and prevent this country from CON-
hitting suicide. Conditions are so ex.
traordinary that I don't dare intrust
anyone but you to make a report of |
the situation, and you have got to do |
that in person"
he walked up and down the room |
excitedly for a few moments, freely |
expressing his perplexity over the |
turn OF events. and ended by abruptly |
for a timetable and a sailing
list. which he consulted before again |
addressing himself to his secretary.
Get out of here as quickly as you
CAM" he ordered. Go to your rooms,
throw what STUFF you need into q bag,
and take the first train you can get
for New York! I shall. meet you at
the station here and give you such re-
ports OF conditions as I can write in
The meantime. When you get to New
York, go as quickly as you can to the
Cunard dock. from which the Lucania
Is due to sail early in the morning.
shall hold her up until you arrive. De-