The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1913-06-29

life, and four of the large COMMITTEES
that had employed him. Simmons sal
calmly at his post, and of all the re-
porters Hallowell alone had stood by
He had faith in barrow, and he knew
that in the Despatch Office little hand
full of men stood in the shadow OF
death on the off chance of the biggest
scoop since Noaf's food.
The four solid citizens looked at one
another. The oldest turned to FL.
bridge.
Then your opinion is that the city
is doomed?"
81 can offer no other solution, sir,
said the scientist. ct is at last evident
that this mans power over ethereal
vibrations extends to those. forming
heat-rays If this is so, it follows that
he can cut off all life by stopping all
heat. If this threat is carried out, we
can but look forward to a repetition
on large scale of the City Hall al
fair"
The aged fnancier now spoke to Sim
| mons.
"And the last report from the search
ers?" he asked formally. /.
The search is being pushed, sir,
replied the operator, by twenty thou
sand men. There remain some fifty
miles of country~to go over, Mr..
| LYONS"
Lyons turned his shaggy head toward
a younger, slim, keen-eyed man OF
fifty
And the city will, in your judg-
ment, Mr.. Perkins, take how long to
empty"
''Days-in the present confusion, y
said Perkins shortly. I'VE can move
only limited percentage. Thank God,
most of our men are standing by. l
think all our rolling stock is moving"
Lyons nodded twice.
And your" he asked the third of
the party, stout young man of thirty
eight or so.
How many stations are on the job,
Simmons" asked this man.
"All but two, sir" replied the OPP
orator. ID and don't answer.
guess they beat it"
How do they report the bulletin
men,"
'On the job" replied the wireless
man.
The stout young man turned to
| Lyons.
well, sir" said he, Il don't know
whether we or the hand of death viii
be called on to quiet them"-he paused
| for an instant with uplifted. hand; the
roar and crash and wall of the city,
riot surged into the gap of his silence
but if il is we" he went on, our
little arrangements are made. My men
know what to do, and my men are on
the job" he concluded proudly.
Lyons nodded again.
I'VE have all done our best" said
he Now, gentlemen, do not see
how we can possibly accomplish any
! thing more by remaining here. My
mobile is in concealment in the old
stable in the rear of I27. My yacht is
standing off the Battery awaiting signal
,, to come in. We have" he glanced at
his watch, ''over an hour before the
threatened catastrophe"
He looked up expectantly. The men
all glanced uneasily at one another,
except Simmons, who stared at his
batteries stolidly.
Come, gentlemen urged Lyons
after moment. There is really not
much time to lose, for you know the
yacht must steam before the danger
zone"
Beat it" spoke up Simmons, at last
There amt any good of you here. II
anything comes in, can handle it. It's
just case of send out orders TO your
bulletin men"
Il think I'd better stay" observed
Paige, the stout young man, with an
air of apology. Il know I'm not much
use; but I've placed men, and they'll
stick; and if this freeze-out proposition
goes througfl-why, they're in it, and
That's how l feel" broke in Per
kins. But you have done your full
duty, Mr. Lyons, and you have no rea-
son to stay. Let me get your car
around to you"
"Oh, I'm going to stay" said Lyons.
eff you gentlemen feel it your duty,
how much more is it mine! Professor
Eldridge"-he bowed to the scientist
you have done your best, which is
more than any other mortal man could
have done, am sure; and you, sir"
he said to Hallowell.
EIdridge and Hallowell shook their
heads.
Il have failed" said Eldridge.
Il am reporter" said Hallowell.
1--WE are in the hands of Cod" an
nounced Lyons with great solemnity,
and folded his hands over his white
waistcoat.
At that moment the door slowly
swung open and Percy Darrow entered.
He was smoking a cigarette, his hands
were thrust deep in his trousers pock-
cts; he was hatless, and his usually
smooth hair was rumpled. A tiny
wound showed just above the middle
of his forehead, from which a thin
stream of blood had run down to his
eyebrows. He surveyed the room with
humorous twinkle shining behind his
long lashes.
We'll, well, well wellp he remarked
IN a cheerful tone of voice. This is |
nice, jolly, Quaker meetingl Why
don't you get out and make a noise |
and celebrate, like your friends out
side?"
Thought, you'd ducked," remarked /
Hallowell The others said nothing,
but looked grave disapproval.
barrow laughed.
mo I had Il, rome hack IN see how