Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1912-01-01

process proved lengthy. Crewe, who
by some process known to himself
alone, had obtained leave for us both
to be present, watched the doctor in
tently.
81 Doubt fear" stammered the
doctor, your condition does not
wholly warrant your ascending. There
is no organic derangeGsnt, but the
heart contractlons are little feeble.
At a high altitude" He broke OF,
hesitating.
Have you ever inhaled oxygen,
Herr Lieutenant" he asked.
"Once, when l had pneumonia, to
ease the lungs"
II would counsel you to let me place
a small tank in the basket" the doc
tor said. Then IT, when at a height,
you find the rarity of the air oppres-
sive, you can take Few breaths from
the inhaler"
very we'll" said the lieutenant, in
differently. The doctor summoned his
assistant, and they placed a small
tank in among the thermometers, ny
grometers and other instruments for
gauging the atmospherical conditions.
And at that moment l saw CTewe's
face light up and knew that he had
solved the mystery. for l had seen
that expression often, and 1t never
failed to be productive.
The lieutenant climbed into the car
which rested few feet above the lev
Ell Of the ground. All but one Of the
ropes were unfastened, and to that
one a dozen soldiers chung with all
/ their power, while the enormous gas
dilated sphere swayed like an intoxi-
Gated thing. striving to leap upward
and gain the security of the skies.
Meanwhile Crewe had gone hastily to-
ward the chief of the aeronautical
staff who was standing by, and con-
ferred hurriedly with him. What he
said I do not know; his arguments
must indeed have been cogent. and
probably backed by some authority
unknown to me, for just as the men
were about to cast off the rope / saw
General Won Stimm wave his hand
toward the lieutenant and shout to
him to descend.
II ne lleulCudHL CllDlDtu HdSlliy OuI
OF the wickerwork basket; at the
same time somebody-Crewe, as dis
covered afterward, but in the confu-
sion he was unnoticed-shouted to the
men to release the rope. Instantly
the balloon shot up into the skies,
leaving the lieutenant standing, morti-
fed, upon the ground, watching it's up
ward flight.
This contretemps sent the general
into a furious passion. The balloon
was as good as lost; it's course had
taken it out toward the North sea-
with little hope of its recovery. He
issued an order to his adjutant and, a
moment or two afterward, while
still stared round to discover my
companion, found myself under ar
rest. / was conveyed to the generals
headquarters. along with Crewe, who
had been apprehended in another sec
ton of the Enclosure as he was trying
to leave. Ten minutes later we were
hailed into his presence.
who the devil are you?" he
shouted roughly. in cultural English
Unless you can offer a suitable ex
, PLANTATION you shall both be placed I'm
der arrest as spies. You have spoiled
, the Kaiserin IV.-the devil take il
: the third balloon to co." He gnasheC
: his teeth in modification.
At his side stood the lieutenant
: his face pallid, his brow covered witt
I sweat
General" said Crewe quietly
when | was a younger man I spen
some months in Germany"
. well, what the devil has that to d
, with me?"
= May I speak to you privately?
asked Crewe. TT concerns a bee
] garden-a youthful officer who's
sword was stolen"
q The general became paler than tn
5 lieutenant
/ Gentlemen, you may leave me-" h
= said; and, saluting, the lieutenant an
the orderly departed
+ Now, general" said Crewe briskly
s 'if / alluded TO an unfortunate inc
] dent in your early career, which I wi
a messed when you were a subalterI
e 1t was not for the purpose of seekin
d immunity through my knowledge of I
II was necessary, in your own int
!. est. that l should gain your ear.
v gave the order which resulted in III
s releasing of the balloon. For. IL ha
" not done so. the lieutenant's life woul
/ have been sacrificed. So surely a
e that balloon comes down on land it wi
d come down in fragments. and drencl
ed with water"
n "Why?" asked the astonished gel
J eral.
: Because you have a traitor upo
p the stan Of your division. and h
L name is Fenelon. It is he who d.
g stroyed the two dirigibles that Or
o ceded this and wes the cause Of II
u death of four officers"
IS Your proofs?" asked the general
strained voice
b They will be found when the be
II loon comes TO earth-an event whic
II has probably occurred already. owir
L TO atmospherical conditions. in whic
II event It will be found before nightfal
. Let me ask you a question. VIII
We're the contents OF the last baIloc
% that was sent up?"
70 Identical with those OF the first
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