The Fulton County news. [volume] (McConnellsburg, Pa.) 1899-current, 1911-09-21
CHAPTER XXI.
The Compact.

The Compact.
A room, low-ceilinged, dim, gloomy,
sinister as an inquisition chamber; a
single large table In the center, hold.
Ing kerosene lamp, writing materi-
ais and metal spheroid a shade
larger than one-pound shell; and
around II semicircle of silent,
masked and cowled figures. There
we're twelve of them, eleven men and
woman. In the shadows, which grew
denser at the far end of the room,
was a squat, globular object, mas.
sve, smooth-sided. black. threatening
thing OF iron.
One Of the men glanced at his
watch-it was just two o'clock-then
rose and took position beside the
table, facing the semicrcle. He placed
the timepiece on the table In front OF
him.
Gentlemen" he said, and there was
the faintest trace OF foreign accent,
81 shall speak English because | know
that whatever your nationality all Of
you are familiar with that tongue
And now an apology for the theatric
aspect Of all this-the masks, the
time and place OF meeting, and the
rest Of IT," He paused a moment.
There is only one person living who
knows the name and position of all
OF you" and by sweep of his hand
be indicated the motionless figure OF
the woman. 1T was by her decision
that masks are worn for. while we all
know the details Of the Latin com
pact, there is bare chance that some
one will not sign. and it is not de
sirable that the identity of that per
son be known to all Of us. The rea
son for the selection of this time and
place is obvious. for an inkling of the
proposed signing has reached the Sc
cret Service. | will add the United
states was chosen as the birthplace
OF this new epoch in history for sew
eral reasons, one being the proximity
to Central and South America; and
another the inadequate police system
which enables greater freedom OF
action"
lie stopped and drew from his
pocket folded parchment. He tapped
the tips Of his fingers with It from
Tine to time as he talked.
The Latin compact. gentlemen. ia
lot the dream of night, nor of
decade As long as fifty years ago
II was suggested, and whatever differ
.nces the Latin countries OF the world
nave had among themselves. they
nave Always realized that ultimately
'ney must stand together against
AGAINST the other nations OF the world.
,u's luea terminated into action
'u'ee years ago. and since that time
aeehts have covered the world In its
interest This meeting Is the fruition
y. y. al that work, and this" he held
sue parchment aloft, "is the instru.
a,o n' mat VIII unite us. Never has a
S,p'omauc secret been kept as this
~ oeeh Kept; never has a greater
nas. p' 'sai oeen planned. 1t means, gen.
enen' The domination Of the world
.'aiy spiritually. commercially and
"v'sucally; It means that England
'u the United States, whose sphere
,"huence has extended around the
@ soOe, VIII be beaten back, and that
nag OF the Latin countries will
~ ~ again over lost possessions. It
us %' all OF that, and more"
,s voice had risen as he talked
% uu'' II had grown vibrant with on.
,aun; auslasm; and his hands pointed his
aHn As with quick. sharp gestures.
a MI M 'nis, he went on, was never
,ho a''O'e until three years ago. when
w. naVies of the world we're given,
o'er INTO the hands of one nation-mv
oOuy nry Five years ago a fellow.
nroaO's yman OF mine happened to be
Ne~ al an electrical exhibition In
noe" York City. and there he wit.
n,ao an Interesting experiment-a
Tim, ai demonstration of the fact
nlos. submarine mine may be ex.
wis., ny the use Of the Marconi
Il eloo,Ns system. He was a practical
voro, 'eian himself and the idea lin.
emu, eu IN his mind. For two years he
cd" eS"e'iImlented, and finally this result.
ana ne picked up the metal spheroid
"Aa AS !, aeld 1t out for their inspection
and st, stands 1t is absolutely perfect
M Latin sHes w worlds supremacy to the
the mo countries because 1t places all
II ,s avies OF the world at our mercy
percn.a,v variation of the well.known
mines n cap or fuse by which
"Tho anu torpedoes are exploded.
the thoo 'leory Of it is simple, as are
the sso.. Olies OF all great Inventions;
know" secret OF It's construction Is
whom only to its inventor-a man Of
that ~ you never heard. 1t is merely
delica.e e mechanism of the cap is 40
wavss e that the Marconi wireless
and only those-will fire the