The Cairo bulletin. (Cairo, Ill.) 1???-1928, 1911-05-12
A Secret Service
Specter
BY WILLS BEACH
Copyright by American Press Asso-
citation, 1911.


was soldier by the name of Higgins.
He had become stagestruck when quite
young and had Joined the supers in a
theater. He had never risen as an &C,
tor. but had been put In charge OF the
properties. From the theater he had
gone forth as an assistant to a presti-
digitator and become sufficiently ex-
pert to take his principals place In
case Of necessity The prestidigttator
died, and Higgins was stranded, Then
he enlisted In the army.
When the allied forces were working
their way up to the walls Of Picking an
American general wished for secret
service man to so forward and recon,
hotter. 1t was desirable to know what
distractions were In the way. where
were the entrances. etc. No one could
be found to undertake the work till II
was mentioned to Higgins. who said
that II he could get certain articles
from the ordnance department and GER.
tain materials from other sources he
would undertake to bring the Informs
ton. He succeeded in gaining what
he wanted and. dressing himself In q
fantastic costume, started forth on foot
for the city.
Walking along road with no other
weapon than light cane, he met a
party Of Chinese Boxers. Since Hig
gins was coming frem the direction OF
their enemies the Cinnamon were dis
posed to chop him up at once. but
they couldn't understand his queer
costume. There is not more super
stitious race in the world than the
Chinese unless II Ii certain low grade
Mohammedans As the Boxers APP
preached Higgins, seeing him come
right along without fear, their courage
began to ooze out at their finger ends.
They stopped and waited for him to
come up. Higgins tossed little
sphere as big MS a marble among them,
which exploded. and. though II did no
harm. 1t scattered them. They turn.
ed and saw the stranger marching on
silently IKE specter. He raised his
hat, and every hair on his head stood
straight up. That took what courage
there was In them. and he saw them
no more.
The next lot OF Boxers he met were
holder. They blocked the road and
cried out something in Chinese which
Higgins didn't understand. Higgins
stopped One OF the Cinnamon advanc.
ed, while the others skunk back When
he got within a few yards of the
strange apparition it drew an imagi
nary circle OF fire about 1t with the
end of its cane.
The advancing man retreated on his
supports.
One Of the Boxers now brought gun
to his shoulder and fred at Higgins.
1t was q close call for the soldier, for
the bullet whistled within an inch of
his ear Had not the Boxer who fred
been affected by superstition no would
probably have killed bis man. Higgins
didn't lose his presence OF mind. but
turned the incident to bis advantage,
He stood with his lips parted and
drawn 80 that his enemies could see
the ball they bad fred held between
his teeth. Then. taking II In his hand.
he threw 1t among them. Had be
thrown a hand grenade be couldn't
have scattered them more efrectually.
Higgins was now getting near the
walls of the city and began TO use bis
eyes. He also made notes and draw
ings. He had a pocket glass with him
and found 1t valuable. While he was
gazing party of Chinese horsemen
swept down on him. Though puzzled
at his appearance, they kept ON. Hig-
gins faced them and. opening his
mouth, began to pull linked sausages
from his mouth by the yard This
stopped them. but when the apparition
drew back few yards and the China
mems hunger had conquered their
fears 30 far as TO enable them to 20
forward to deyour the precious meat
the sausages exploded in their faces.
Turning toward Higgins. they saw
him Economically splitting fire at them.
This was too much for their equanim.
1ty, and they ran.
Higgins now advanced as near as he
dared to the walls of the city. made
some valuable observations and then
turned his face toward camp. On hts
way back the road was lined here and
there Mt a distance by Cinnamon who
had witnessed the horrible magic and.
though curious. did not dare come very
near, BY the time he was nearing the
end OF his Journey quite crowd was
following him. When they came too
near he would draw circle Of flame
with his cane or spit Ere at them.
Then the specter. or whatever It
was. appeared TO grow--at least its
legs did-until at every step 1t gained
couple. of yards. IT continued to
breathe out fire. and as the darkness
came on Its hat seemed to be contin-
ualiy burning without being consumed.
And SO marched the illuminated giant,
the country round about Hlled with
jabbering. wondering. trembling China
men. until finally all its lights went
out and 1t was seen no more.
Higgins appeared on the American
picket, line, but as he was expected he
passed IN without the countersign. He
gave the result Of his observations to
his general and was duly thanked