The Fulton County news. [volume] (McConnellsburg, Pa.) 1899-current, 1911-10-05
CHAPTER xxiv.-(contIrued.)

II personally caused the destruc.
ton of the compact after several sig
natures had been attached" Mr.
Grimm amended. Throughout have
acted under the direction of Mr.
Campbell, of course"
You were In very grave personal
danger?" the president went on.
1T was Of no consequence, said
Mr. Grimm simply.
You are certain. Mr.. Grimm and
the president spoke with great de.
liberation, you are certain that the
representatives of the Latin countries
have not met since and signed the
compact?'
81 am not certain-no," replied Mr..
Grimm promptly. 81 am certain, how
ever that the backbone of the alliance
was broken-its only excuse for ex-
istence destroyed-when they per.
mitted me to learn of the wireless
percussion cap which would have
placed the navies of the world at their
mercy. Believe me, gentlemen, If
they had kept their secret 1t would
have given them dominion of the
earth. They made one mistake" he
added in a most matter-offact tone.
They should have killed me; 1t was
their only chance"
The president seemed little star.
tied at the suggestion.
That would have been murder" he
remarked.
True Mr.. Grimm asquiesced, but
II seems an absurd thing that they
should have permitted the life of one
man to stand between them and the
world power for which they had so
long planned and schemed His High
ness, Prince Benedetto d'Abruzzi be-
heyed as | do, and so expressed him
sell. He paused a moment; there
was hint of surprise in his manner,
! expected to be killed. of course. 1t
seemed to me the only thing that
could happen"
They must have known Of the far.
reaching consequences which would
follow upon your escape. Mr.. Grimm.
why didn't they kill your"
Mr.. Grimm made little gesture
with both hands and was silent.
May they not yet attempt it?" the
president insisted.
ITS too late now" Mr.. Grimm ex.
PPlned They had everything TO
In by killing me there as | stood in
We room where | had interrupted the
signing Of the compact, because that
moulu nave been before | had placed
'ue iacts In the hands of my govern.
ment' was the only person outside
Vi their circle who knew all of them.
Only the basest motive could inspire
nem to attempt my life now"
lhere was pause. The secretary
vi state glanced from Mr.. Grimm to
MT Campbell with a question in his
deepset eyes.
DO | understand that Won placed n
m'ss lhorne and the prince under
'uo' Is, you detained them?" he
Nuerled' IF so. where are they now %
uoht KNOW" was the reply. Just
oeiore the explosion the three of us
uttered an automobile together. and
."eu as we were starting away re-
e''oered something which made II
'0'ssary for me to re-enter the
Souse' When | came out again. lust a
leW seconds before the explosion. the
"mce and Miss Thorne had gone"
ne secretary's lips curled down In
0sapproval.
rn, wasn't 1t rather unsual, to put II
Ty iuly to leave your prisoners tc
asked '"a' way h'
Dp, wen yes" Mr.. Grimm admitted
W. ue circumstances were unusual
e5 "en entered the house | had lock
boo% man In the cellar. | had to &c
@o, 10 save his life, otherwise"
neoa, me guard at the door. you
woo came the interruption. "Who
nodded "n'eu at MS chiei' whS
kin =, vas MT. Charles Winthrop Ran
yon" lne German embassy" said the
sv hankin Of the German embas
maraos On guard at the door?" de
"yoa ,ne president quickly.
p, ,es We got out safely"
was u, mat means that Germany
,,n The president paused and startled
er n NO 70 passed around the table. Aft
secro,as noment of deep abstraction the
capeS MISS Thorne and the prince es
tyqS are they still In this coun