The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1911-11-03
CHAPTER XXI.
The Compact,

4 tG @0IIpGCtu
A room. low-ceilinged, dim, gloomy,
sinister as an inquisition chamber; q
single large table in the center, hold
ing a kerosene lamp, writing materi-
ais and metal spheroid a shade
larger than a one-pound shell; and
around it semicircle Of silent.
masked and cowled figures. There
were 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, q, mas
sive, 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 semicircle. He placed
the timepiece on the table In front Of
him.
Gentlemen" he said, and there was
the faintest trace Of foreign accent,
II 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 a sweep Of his hand
he 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 1t 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 Iof the
proposed signing has reached the Sc
cret Service. / win add the United
States wac 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" {
He stopped and drew from his
pocket folded parchment. He tapped
the tips of his fingers with 1t from
time to time as he talked.
''The Latin compact. gentlemen, II
: not the dream Of q night. nor Of Q
decade. AS long as fifty years ago
1t was suggested, and whatever differ
ences the Latin countries of the world
have had among themselves. they
have always realized that ultimately
they must stand together against
against the other nations of the world.
This idea terminated into action
three years ago, and since that time
agents have covered the world in its
interest. This meeting Is the fruition
Of all that work, and this" he held
the parchment aloft, els the instru.
ment that win unite us. Never has q
diplomatic secret been kept as this
has been kept: never has greater
reprisal been planned. It means, gen.
tlemen, the domination of the world
socially, spiritually, commercially and
artistically; 1t means that England
and the United States, whose sphere
of influence has extended around the
globe. win be beaten back. and that
the nag OF the Latin countries will
wave again over lost possessions. 1t
means all Of that. and more"
His voice had risen as he talked
until 1t had grown vibrant with en-.
thusiasm; and his hands pointed his
remarks with quick. sharp gestures.
"Ail this" he went ON, was never
possible until three years ago, when
the navies Of the world were given
over into ta'@ hands Of one nation--my