The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1916-09-17

| himself rose In their midst. Like Nep
tune from the sea, he came dripping
and undraped; but whether clad in
magnificent attire or naked save for
loin cloth, All Singh was ever a mas
ter Of men. He saluted his niece with a
gravely affectionate manner and sur
veyed the rest of the motley gathering
with an amused and slightly contemp
tuous smile.
What, then" he sneered, had you
begun to doubt SO soon? Did not
promise to be here on this day, and
when has my word been broken?"
His uplifted hand stayed a depreca
tory murmur.
1.-THE time for idle talk has past" he
said. 81 am come to put in force the
principles laid down by the honorable
council of ten. You know what l de.
mand-unquestionable obedience even
unto death. That is the penalty, too
must be ready to die that the race may
live, and life means triumph, nothing
less"
He turned his piercing eyes on deb
OMAR little Jap, minor diplomatist
popular in the political and social cir
cles Of Washington.
II shall now retire to my room and
assume more bef1tting appearance,
he said, his manner offering a fine
blend Of graciousness and command.
Iok ~,
readiness all details as to the present
prospects of the anti-alien bill intro
duced by Senator tombstone"
These and other quantity interesting
facts were gathered by Manning from
the lips Of various witnesses, but not
until he had undergone many an anx-
ious hour and escaped death a score
OF times. He had hardly reached his
fiat that night, however, before Police
Captain Kemp cleared up one point.
II phoned Fern Brae,' said the lat
fer. "snd they told me you were back
in New York l thought you would
like to know that Hongkong Harry
jumped into high powered car. which
was evidently waiting for him near
the Brooklyn bridge and passed over
into Long Island shortly after s o'clock
tonight Ny men had no means OF
following him at the moment, but they
noted his return at quarter after 10
and the car had evidently been pacing
1t during the two hours
'"rhanksr" said Manning. who could
now be fairly positive as to the identi
ty of Ali Singh's messenger to the
bankers house. Don't let your men
relax their vigilance. I'll give you q
call early in the morning
Never was a man more irreso1ute
than Enrol Manning at that moment
When in Fern Brae be felt that he
ought to be in New York. and now
that he had reached New York he
wished he had not left Fern Brae. His
abiding difficulty was to guess AN
Singh's intent.
When he retired to rest, however
Manning was almost convinced that
Ali Singh would soon be in his power
But with daylight came dubiety once
more and his sister May, pretty and
vivacious girl OF eighteen. soon dis
covered that he was i'll at ease.
"Why, Enrol" she cried. bouncing
gayly into the room at breakfast time
"the butler told me you had gone tc
Fern Brae. and I was real mad that
you hadn't brought me. Anyway.
thought you would stay the night
what's the matter? Have you and
Margaret quarreled? How Is Mr.
Bronson? And has Willard been pick
ed for the polo tesm?"
zone question at time, SIS" laugh
ed Manning. "or am I to answer tn,
only important one?"
about you and Margaret" she re
torted.
"No; about willard" he said.
| She seated herself and began t.
pour out the coffee.
where I'm concerned John Willard
Bronson doesn't amount to a row o
beans!" she announced decislvely
'What I want to know is why yol
came horne"
Business" was the laconic answer.
my! How short we are this morn
ingr
| \"Little girls can't be intrusted will
government secrets" smiled Manning.
The telephone rang, and even thu
| lmpassive features Of diplomacy were
not proof against the spasm of anguish
which wrurg Manning's soul wher
Bronson's agitated voice reached him
I'm sorry to trouble you," said the
banker, "but I want you out herr
again. I have had another warming
note. 1t calls on me to make Senator
Johnstone withdraw his bill this morn
ing"
"You will not take any action. sup
poser" inquired Manning. endeavorin,
to speak in a noncommittal way, sine
he knew that his sisters sharp ear
would note any hint of anxiety In hi
words.
"Not for million Chinksp" came tn
bluff answer. "What can they do any
| how"
81 cannot even guess, but I'll be will
you In two hours"
"Where are you going. Errol?" de
manded May when the receiver wa
back on its hook.
cont to Fern Brae again." said he
brother
"Please. may Gomez
"Not today, grille. This is work, no
y r Yvy