The Fulton County news. [volume] (McConnellsburg, Pa.) 1899-current, 1911-06-08
CHAPTER II.
Mr.. Campbell and the Gable.

manufacture watches, and another
mans business to peddle shoe-strlngs,
80 II was Mr.. Campbell's business to
know things. He was a human card
index, a governmental ready reference
posted to the minute and backed by
all the tremendous resources OF ma.
ton. From the little Office in the Sc
.ret Service Bureau, where he sat day
after day, radlatlng threads connected
with the huge outer world, and en-.
abled him to keep firm hand on the
diplomatic and departmental pulse Of
Washington. Perhaps he came near.
sr knowing everything that happened
there than any other man living; and
90 man realized more perfectly than
he Just how little of all of 1t he did
know.
In person Mr.. Campbell was not un.
like a retired grocer who had shaken
the butter and eggs from his soul and
settled back to enjoy a life of placid
ldleness. He was little beyond mid
die age. pleasant of face, white OF
hair, and blessed with guileless blue
eyes, His genius had no sparkle to
Il; II consisted solely of detail and
system and indefatigability coupled
with a memory that was well nigh in.
iallible. His brain was as serene and
orderly as a cash register; one almost
expected to hear 1t click.
He sat at his desk intently studying
cable despatch which lay before him.
II was in the Secret Service code.
Grimm-the Mr.. Grimm of the bureau.
Mr.. Grimm was an utterly different
type from his chief He was younger,
perhaps thirty-one or two, physically
average height, with regular features
and listless, purposeless eyes a re.
plica Of hundred other young men
who dawdle idly in the windows of
their clubs and watch the world hurry
BY His manner was languid his
dress showed fastidious care.
Sentence by sentence the bewilder.
Ing intricacies Of the code gave way
before the placid understanding OF
Chief Campbell, and word by word,
from the chaos Of 1t, a translation
took Ineligible form upon a sheet
OF paper under his right hand. Mr..
Grimm. looking on, exhibited only a
most perfunctory interest in the ex-
traordinary message he was reading;
the listless eyes narrowed a little, that
was all. 1t was a special despatch
from Lisbon dated that morning. and
signed simply "Gault" Completely
translated 1t ran thus:
Secret offensive and defensive al
lance of the Latin against the Eng.
lish.speaklng nations of the world Is
planned. Italy, France, Spain and
two South American republics will
soon sign compact in Washington.
Proposition Just made to Portugal,
and may be accepted. Special en-.
Voys now working in Mexico and Cen
ral and South America. Germany in.
ylted to join, but refuses as yet, Civ
ING, however, taclt support: attitude
Of Russia and Japan unknown to me.
Frlnce Benedetto d'Abruzzi, believed
TO be In Washington at present, has
aDsolate power to sign for Italy,
france and Spain. Profound secrecy
shJo'ned and preserved. / learned of
u by underground Shall inform our
minister? Cable instructions"
So much!" commented Mr.. Camp
bell.
lie clasped his hands behind his
mead, lay back in his chair and sat
lor long time, staring with steadfast
thoughtful eyes into the impassive
'ace OF his subordinate Mr.. Grimm
perched himself on the edge of the
lesk and with his legs dangling read
third
H. he observed slowly, "lf any 9TH
CT man than Gault had sent that
snould nave said he was crazy"
The peace of the world is in peril.
Mr' Grimm" said Campbell impress.
SFely, at last 1T had to come. of
course the United States and Eng.
ahd against large part of Europe
ana all OF Central and South America
II mad to come. and yet"
lie broke off abruptly, and picked
W tne receiver of his desk telephone.
Inc White House, please" he re-
Quested curtly, and then, after a mo-
meht; Hello! Please ask the presi.
Sen' II ne Will receive Mr.. Campbell.
immediately. Yes, Mr.. Campbell of
ue secret Service" There was a
pause Mr.. Grimm removed his i'm.
l0vuiate person from the desk, and
o. 0N chair. Hello! In half an hour?
an .He pages of the Almanac de Gotha
l,e'ed lv through his fingers. and final.
n, ne leaned forward and studied a
,'osraph of 1t closely. When he
tS'sec his eyes again there was that
saos ,uein which Mr., Grimm had never
shadow. u"' Ae"'"e
ch,nn world-war has long been a
las, 81 Mr.. Grimm" he remarked at
con, put now-now! Think of 1t! OF
can tne Central and South Ameri-
lncou Countries, taken separately, are
Of tSo tSSeqguential, and that is true, too,
ceDt v " Latin countries of Europe, ex-
mdoI rance but taken in combination,
par,a one directing mind, the allied
aba would be-would be formid-
suDs ,r, at least Backed by the moral
pan, am OF Germany, and perhaps ia
seew Don't you see? Don't you
onoros ,apsed into silence. Mr.. Grimm
Nr ~ Ca MS lips to ask question
hy,r. campbell anticipated 1t unerr