Mansfield mirror. (Mansfield, Wright County, Mo.) 1908-1957, 1914-12-03

word-"you wanted him. here for your
plans! And why? You haven't an
swered that yet. What purpose OF the
war game does he serve in Jul gar
DEM"
His look pleaded for patience, while
he tried to smile, which was rather dir'
flcult in face Of her attitude.
mot altogether in the garden; part
ly in the tower" he replied. you are
to be in the whole secret and In such o
way as to make my temptation clear, l
hope. First, l think you ought to see
the setting. Let US go In"
Impelled by a curiosity that Lam
stron's manner ~accentuated, she en-
tered the room. Apparently Lanstron
was familiar with the premises. Pass
ing through the sitting-room into the
room adjoining, where Teller stored
his tools, he opened a door that gave
on to the circular stone steps leading
down into the dungeon tunnel.
II think we had better have a light"
he said, and when he had fetched n
from the bedchamber he descended the
steps, asking her to follow.
They were in a passage six feet In
height and about three feet broad,
which seemed to lead on indefinitely
into clammy darkness. The dewy walls
sparkled In fantastic and ghoetly
| iridescence under the rays from the
lantern. The dank air lay moist against
their faces.
This is far enough" He paused
and raised the lantern. With its light
full in her face, she blinked. There.
at the height of your chin!"
She noted a metal button painted
gray, set at the side Of n OF the
| stones of the wall, which looked un
real. She struck the stone with her
knuckles and 1t gave out the sound OF.
hollow wood, which was followed, as
an echo, by a little laugh from Lam
stron. Pressing the button, a panel
door few open, revealing a telephone
m%outhpiece and receiver set In the
recess.
Like a detective play!" were the
first words that sprang to her lips.
"Well?" As she faced around her
eyes glittered in the lantern rays.
We'll, have you any other little tricks
to show me? Are you a sleight-of-hand
artist. too. Lanny? Are you going to
take a machine gun out Of your HAITI"
THAT is the whole bag" he an
swered. II thought you'd rather see
1t than have 1t described to you"
Having seer 1t, let us go!" she said.
in a manner that implied further reck-
oning to come.
III out Of a thousand possible
sources one source succeeds, then the
cost and pains of the other nine hun
bred and ninety-nine are more than re-
paid" he was saying urgently. the SOL
der uppermost in him. Some OF the
best service we have had has been abb
surd in its simplicity and its audacity.
In time Of war more than n battle
has been decided by a thing that was a
trife in itself. No matter what your
preparation, you al never remove the
element of chance. An hour gained In
information about your enemy's plans
may turn the tide in your favor. A
Chinese peasant spy, because he hap
pened to be intoxicated, was able to
give the Japanese warning in time for
Kuroki to make full dispositions for
receiving the Russian attack in force
at the Sha-ho. There are many other
incidents of like nature in history. So
is is my duty to neglect no possible
method, however absurd"
By this time he was at the head OF
the steps. Standing to n side. he Of
fered his hand to assist Marta. But
she seemed not to see 1t. Her aspect
was that of downright antagonism.
However absurd! Yes, 1t is absurd
to think that you can make me a party
to any of your plans. for" She broke
off abruptly with staring eyes. as If she
had seen an apparition.
Lanstron turned and through the
door Of the toolroom saw Teller enter.
ing the sitting-room. He was not the
bent, deferential gardener. His fea'
lures were hard-set, a fighting rage
burning in his eyes, his sinews taut
as II about to spring upon an adver.
sary. When he recognized the In;
truders he turned limp, his head
dropped, hiding his face with his hat
brim, and he steadied himself by rest
ing a hand on the table edge.
CTo BE CONTINUED.)