Rocky Ford enterprise., 1911-12-08

There may, some day, come a time |
when our submarines may be explod
ed at will regardless of this percuS |
sion cap
The secretary of war turned fatty |
upon Chief Campbell.
This woman who Is mixed up in |
this AFFAIR."" he demanded. This Miss
Thorne. Who is she?"
who is she?" repeated the chief |
shes secret agent of Italy, one Of
the most brilliant, perhaps. that has
ever operated in this or any other |
country. She is the pivot around |
which the intrigue moved. We know
her by dozen names: any one of
them may be correct"
The brows Of the secretary or war
were drawn down in thought as he
turned to the president.
"Mr. Grimm was speaking of the
personal equation" he remarked point
eddy. II think perhaps his meaning
is clear when we know there is a
woman in the case. We know that
Mr.. Grimm has done his duty to the
last inch in this matter; we know
that alone and unaided, practically,
he has done a thing that no living
man Of his relative position has ever
done before-prevented a world-war.
But there Is further danger-he him
self has called out attention to it
therefore. would suggest that Mr..
Grimm be relieved of further duty in
this particular case. This is not a
moment when the peace of the world
may be imperiled by personal feelings
of-of kindness for an individual"
Mr.. Grimm received the blow with
out tremor. His hands were still
Idly clasped behind his back; the
eyes fastened upon the presidents
face were still listless; the mouth alb
solutely without expression.
"As Mr.. Grimm has pointed out"
the secretary went on, I'VE have been
negotiating for this wireless percus-
sion cap. I have somewhere in my
ONCE the name and address of the in
dividual with whom these negotia-
lions have been conducted. Through
that It is possible to reach the inven-
tor. and then! I suggest that we
vote our thanks to Mr.. Grimm and
relieve him Of this particular case"
The choleric eyes Of the president
softened a little. and grew grave az
they studied the impassive face of the
young man.
ITS a strange situation. Mr..
Grimm" he said evenly. What do
you say to withdrawing"
81 am at your orders. Mr.. Presi-
dent" was the reply.
mo one knows better what you
have done than the gentlemen here at
this table" the president went on
slowly. mo one questions that you
have done more than any other man
could have done under the circum-
stances. We understand, / think, that
Indirectly you are asking immunity
for an individual. / don't happen to
know the liability Of that individual
under our law, but we can't make any
mistake now, Mr.. Grimm. and so-and
So" He stopped and was silent.
II had hoped. Mr.. President, that
what have done SO far-and / don't
underestimate it-would have. at least,
earned for me the privilege of re-
manning in this case until its con.
clusion." said Mr.. Grimm steadily. III
1t is to be otherwise, OF course l am
at"
History tells us. Mr.. Grimm" inter
rupted the president irrelevantly,
that the frou-frou of a woman's skirt
has changed the map of the world. Do
you believe" he went on suddenly.
that man can mete out Justice fair
ly, severely If necessary, to one for
whom he has a personal regard?"
81 do sir"
Perhaps even to one-to a woman
whom he might love?"
Il do, sir
The president rose.
please wait in the /r,dteroom for
a few minutes" he directed.
Mr.. Grimm bowed himself out. At
| the end of half an hour he was again
summoned into the cabinet chamber.
The president met him with out
stretched hand. There was more than
mere perfunctory thanks in this
there was the understanding of man
and man.
You will proceed with the case to
the end. Mr.. Grimm" he instructed
abruptly. IF you need assistance ask
for It; If not, proceed alone. You will
rely upon your own judgment entire
ly. II there are circumstances which
make it inadvisable to move against
an individual by legal process. even
II that individual is amenable to our
laws. you are not constrained so to do
If your judgment is against It. There
is one stipulation: You will either
secure the complete rights of the
wireless percussion cap to this gov
eminent or learn the secret of the in
vention so that at no future time can
We be endangered by it,
Thank you" said Mr.. Grimm quiet
ly. 81 understand
II may add that It is matter OF
deep regret to me-" and the presi-
dent brought one vigorous hand down