The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1911-05-15
A Secret Service
Specter
BY WILLIS BEACH
Copyright by American Press Asso-
citation. 1911.
BY WILLIS BEACH

At the time the foreign legations
were shut up In Picking and the united
Srmies of the powers went there to
free them, with the American army
Twas soldier by the name of Higgins.
BE had become stagestruck when quite
young and had Joined the supers in a
theater. He had never risen as an ac-
tor but had been put in charge of the
properties. From the theater he had
gone forth as an assistant to presu-
digitator and become sufficiently ex-
pert to take his principals place in
case of necessity The prestidigitator
died. and Higgins was stranded Then
he enlisted In the army.
When the allied forces were working
their way up to the walls of Picking an
American general wished for secret
service man to go forward and recon-
hotter. 1t was desirable TO know what
distractions were in the way, where
were the entrances, etc. No one could
be found to undertake the work till 1t
was mentioned to Higgins, who said
that II he could get certain articles
from the ordnance department and GER
tain materials from other sources he
would undertake to bring the informa-
ton. He succeeded In gaining what
he wanted and. dressing himself In a
fantastic costume, started forth on foot
for the city.
walking along road with no other
weapon than light cane, he met a
party of Chinese Boxers Since Hig-
gins was coming from the direction OF
their enemies the Cinnamon were dis
posed to chop him up at once. but
they couldn't understand his queer
costume There is not more super
Htitious race in the world than the
Chinese unless 1t Is certain low grade
Mohammedans. As the Boxers APP
proached Higgins, seeing him come
right along without fear, their courage
began to ooze out at their finger end
They stopped and waited for him to
come up. Higgins tossed a little
sphere as big as a marble among them.
which exploded. and. though 1t did no
harm, it scattered them. They turn
ed and saw the stranger marching on
silently like a specter. He raised his
hat, and every hair on his head stood
straight up. That took what courage
there was in them, and he saw them
no more.
The next lot Of Boxers he met were
holder. They blocked the road and
cried out something in Chinese which
Higgins didn't understand. Higgins
stopped One Of the Cinnamon advanc-
ed, while the others skunk back. When
he got within a few yards of the
strange apparition 1t drew an imagi-
nary circle of fire about it with the
end OF its cane.
The advancing man retreated on his
supports.
One OF the Boxers now brought gun
to his shoulder and fired at Higgins.
1t was a close call for the soldier. for
the bullet whistled within an inch Of
his ear. Had not the Boxer who fred
been affected by superstition he would
probably have killed his man Higgins
didn't lose his presence OF mind. but
turned the incident to his advantage.
He stood with his lips parted and
drawn so that bis enemies could see |
the ball they had fred held between |
his teeth. Then. taking 1t in his hand. /
he threw II among them. Had be |
thrown q hand grenade he couldn't !
have scattered them more efrectualiy. !
Higgins was now getting near the
walls Of the city and began TO use his |
eyes. He also made notes and draw
ings. He had a pocket glass with him /
and found IL valuable. While he was
gazing a party Of Chinese horsemen
swent down on him. Though puzzled