Evening star., 1914-08-09


nation should get possession.
say, of complete maps of the
Reservation, your nations mill
tary position would be weakened and the others
spondngly increased, would it not? You do not sup
pose that that nation negecting any chance get
such information? In fact all nations have their agents,
you know, constantly working to get the military
secrets of others. Well that is all l had in mind-I
thought it would be good bet that in the present
negotiations that other nation would be able to show
to your government that it in possession of its
greatest military secrets, and therefore could make
demands for concessions it could not otherwise get.
@That is ALL 1t is simple sporting proposition with
me-and am willing to take either side; but fear
the only here who is willing to take the side
have proposed for myself"
@You indeed" replied the Commandant. II
have been able to resist good bet,-and deny
that you have picked good bet for yourself,-but
will admit the situation you mention is legitimate
sporting proposition and, Sir, I'll your bet, and
give you odds, if you want"
@No even money suits me- General" the stranger
said, with his quiet smile. al suppose might we'll
close the bet right now"
II haven't thousand dollars in my jeans just now,
the Commandant protested.
4Nor IT, the stranger said @but cash will be un-
necessary. Let exchange mutual checks dated, say
two weeks from today to mark the termination of the
period of the bet The winner will then cash the check
he holds, while the loser will destroy his
"Very well, it is CO. agreed the Commandant
"Just what the terms of the bet?"
@Simply that before two weeks are passed." the
stranger said, at will be made manifest you your
government that complete maps of the military
of the Reservation will be available to the nation
interested just now in having them-that is ALL
aYou will excuse if 1 seem to be leaving abruptly
the stranger said folding the Commandments check in
his wallet he rose @but I've too much time for
the midnight train. thank you all for extremely
pleasant evening And goodby especially to you, Com
mandant. l am told or have read that white moth
got among your in the Reservation and
blighted them badly. Watch out that the white moth
doesn't blight your guns
He smiled pleasantly and went out. The General and
Admirals and Commodores stood staring another
in something akin to CONSERVATION where they had
risen to bid him farewell.
THE Commandant sat on his veranda with guest.
They smoking their after-dinner cigars. gazing
dreamly through the scarcely drifting smoke the
scene that lay before them under the enchantment of
the rising harvest The spell of beauty was on
both of them, they gazed cotentedy the land
scape.
Yet many places in that of peace caressed by
gentle zephyrs from the sea- brisng with
all the mghtiest and deadlest machinery of modern
warfare for it the Reservation itself Behind and
among these of vegetation lay the pits which
crouched the great disappearing guns, whose mouths
could hr meteors of steel beyond the horizon with the
accuracy of rifle in a sharpshooters hands, they
lifted their for moment and then sank back into
repose, without belching forth smoke betray
their whereabouts than parlor match. There were,
too, magazines built with their roofs level with the
earth; 1ntrenched passageways, sunken roads, and
miniature electric railways, to wait upon these guns all
concealed amid the smile of drowsy green hills and ter
races and forestration.
The Reservation was impregnable to attack simply