The Columbus journal., 1909-06-02
CHAPTER xx-contjuued.

is conveyed TO the united STATES ny uhe
wingleSS terrorS.
CHAPTER xx.-Continued.
admiral. do you think there is any
gunnery that can hurt us, anything
that can overtake us, or that il we
wish to We may not master the
world?" he asked in a voice OF ex-
IRENE quiet.
Fields shrugged his shoulders hope
lessly. made a grimace. and looked at
his fellows. Gentlemen" he said In
a dry tone. 1T seems to me that We
should without any delay accept the
hospitality which the United States
has extended so courteously."
The others appreciated the grim
humor of the situation, and In like
vein acquiesced. The surprise which
they had undergone was nothing
compared to that with which, as the
day waned, they witnessed the lifting
of their craft from the waters. With
the utmost care the task was accom-
plished. and everything made ready
for the westward journey. Only one
mishap occurred beyond the necessary
damage to the ships, and that was not
discovered until the following day. A
sailor of the Dreadnought. maddened
by the spectacle he had witnessed.
had unleashed a life raft unobserved
and thrown himself and 1t into the
water by the use of its tackle at some
hour of darkness when the vessels
were travelling at slow speed and
close to the surface of the waves Bev,
ins grieved more over this incident
than any other; for he had set his
heart upon bloodless victory.
Thus it was that on the following
day there rested in the Chesapeake a
feet whose fires were banked, whose
men were prohibited from shore
leave and whose chief officers were
guests in the principal hotels of New
York and Washington under pledge OF
secrecy. But in this they might take
heart; although some slight damage
had been inflicted on the vessels. in no
instance did the flag come down. and
from each staff fioated the union jack
unsullied. Communication between
ships and shores was interdicted: SO
even the Inhabitants of the borders
could do no more than look and guess
as to how the fleet had sailed in with.
out attracting attention or meeting
with rebuff.
Another report came from China
that the feet Of the dragon was still
under waiting orders: hence there was
nothing for the administration to do
but mark time. which it did with poor
grace. Within a few days, however,
a more disturbing report came from
Europe by way of Canada. the usual
source of communication. 1t was to
the effect that the kaiser. learning of
the disappearance of the British fleet,
and believing it destroyed. was show
ing quick signs of aggression. vainly
the administration hoped that his
belligerent intentions might be over.
estimated; but the passage Of days
proved that he might be a menace to
the general plan.
1t was hourly expected that the pres.
ence of the radioplanes would be re-
GuireG in the west to meet the Chinese.
In view of this necessity. it was de.
cided to dispatch Brockton and Jen.
kins to Berlin on a mission of diplo.
macy They were ordered to visit the
kaiser at night. landing at time and
place where they could escape obser.
vation. induce the emperor and his
chancellor to get aboard the radio.
riane, and then. after It had been
demonstrated that Germany would be
powerless in the event Of war, to de-
liver messages announcing that the
United States purposed to gain what
support she could for a worlds peace
voluntarily, but would compel it II
need be.
jenkins was familiar with the Ger.
man capital, having been naval at
tache there for number of years. 1t
was he who evolved the details. The
American ambassador was unaware of
his country's defense until informed
on the night Of the arrival, and was
speedily enlisted in the enterprise.
Through him the kaiser granted the
interview. which led to his visiting
the radioplane which had been brought
to rest beyond the outskirts of the
city.
Brockton's task proved a most diff
ficult one; for the emperor, a man Of
science and interested in all engines
of warfare. insisted on being conveyed
not only to the plant on the key, Lut
across Chesapeake bay, where he
might look down upon the British