The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-12-17

Csaa&.=za& conditions less fraught with danger to the community. that both Washington and Ali Singh should suf- fer from a bad attack of nerves about the same time. Manning be- came aware of departmental irrita- tion when he received a telegram soon after Captain Cooks rescue. He was talking to Bronson and Police Cap tain Kemp in the hall of his No'1s } when a telegraph messenger handed him one of the familiar yellow enve- lopes.
 He read:
 The delay in t'a capture of Ali unconscionable. A.c,dcan and other difficulties demand immediate &C., tion."
 The young diplomatic agents some what pallid face flushed with annoy ance. This was the first time he had received any such curt message from his superiors and he well knew that self sufficient undersecretary was simply shifting a burden of responsi- bility to other shoulders.
 Bronson, who wore the uniform of an infantry captain, his regiment hav- ing volunteered for service on the Texan border, laughed dryly.
 eff it's any consolation for you, Trrol." he said. you will notice that Washington says nothing about put ting another man on the job"
 ''I'll tell you what" broke in Kemp, you must now allow me to work things in my own way, Mir. Manning. I know you don't like the third de- gree, but this is a case which calls for it."
 Manning protested enphatically. He knew what Kemp was driving at. By fortunate chance q policeman had noted sufficient of the series num- bers of the automobile in which Najla was carried off to permit of it's identi- hcation by 9 process of exhaustion, and this had led to the arrest of Ali Maznan, 6 well-known dealer in. oriental curios established in business In New York for many years.
 Manning was still arguing against the adoption of drastic methods with the prisoner when his sister joined the group. May, impulsive and down. right as ever, was minded to be angry with him.
 q see no reason why you should be awful man, Ali Singh. has never scrupled to torture and maim and kill anyone who stood in his path or from whom he could force valuable information.
 The argument. was convincing. Not only did the Washington spur still rankle but the welfare of Najla must be considered. She had van- ished again, and they realized that during the whole of her recent visit she must have been acting under hypnotic suggestion. Though Ali Naznan might not know exactly where Ali Singh was, there was 8 chance that he would reveal Najla's whereabouts, and no clew. even the vaguest, should be neglected.
 It would have helped the conclave a good deal had they been aware that in that very hour one of Ali Singh's emissaries had shot an air gun pellet, carrying a light string through tho window of Ali Maznan's cell. The man was pacing to and fro with true Oriental phlegm when this curious messenger fell at ms feet.
 He bounced on it instantly, drew in the string and found. as he anticl- pated. that a note was attached. It was brief and to the point. It read;
 Am called back to China. Arrange a conpronaise pending my departure, if possible"
 Though convinced in his own mlnd that All Singh had failed in his cam paien, Ali Maznan's loyalty poth to the man and to a hateful cause never faltered for an instant. He was rather amused, therefore. when Po- lice Captain Kemp came in with Manning and Bronson and a couple of husky detectives and began to buster and threaten. He dld not re veal his knowledge Of All olnsn movements. He actually treated the burly police officer with contempt.
 'Stop this fooling!" said Manning abruptly. we can deal with tnls fellow by process of law. At any rate. Til take care that he works no further mischief for another year
 Sir" said the imperturbable Mag nan, you speak like man of af- fairs. Give me an assurance that All Singh will be allowed to depart safely from this country and will place bis niece, the Princess Najla, with you as hostage"
 "rm inclined to free you simply as go-betwaen," said Manning, thoughtfully. "You can visit your master and tell him that it is not for mo but for my government to make terms with him. I am assured that he cannot much longer avoid capture or death, but it will be no small point in his favor if Mademoi- selle Naila is released uninJured and he promises to leave her alone ln 1u- ture. You understand what mean! There must be no more occult dev- iltry at her expense. The poor girl must be given chance to recover her health and strength"
 Ali Maznan bowed gravely.
 "I shall tell the Higher One what you have said," he murMured.
 "Come to me when you have any thing to say" were Mannings part ing words. Remember, am letting you go now solely for one reason--to secure the safety of Mile. Najla. If the law grabs you again, you will be shown no mercy"
 Had Ali Maznan seen Ali Singh at that time he would have found his leader in the throes of despair and in decision. The edict issued by the Council of Ten had dealt the man & shrewd blow. His pride was hum bled. Failure was writ large on his haggard cheeks and care-seamed brow. He had done much. but had fallen far short of the standard which he himself had laid down before leav- ing for the far East