Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1916-07-02
No. l3-In the Service of the State

been following us lot Ten minutes
I've seen him before, but can't place
him"
Mary laughed. She leaned close
to Mona. "Ill look in a minute,
she said. And then: Il know him
Hisasname is Jones-he's a United
States secret service man."
"Well1" said Mona, flatly. Mary
what has a secret service man to
do with US" =,
That's the secret of it, I supposed
said Mary. AT any rate, we're likely
to find out. You know, Mona-there
are people who would say that our
way of getting along was very far
from being what it should be-"
You're right, of course" said
Mona. I'm nervous, l think-that's
ALL"
We'll, get over it! He's coming
over, and he's going to speak to US,
I'm surel Don't act as if you thought
there was anything odd
The next moment, indeed, Jones
was beside them, hat in hand, beam
ing.
Miss Hartley, Miss Burnettp said
Jones. "You don't know how glad
/ am to see you'll l was not certain
it is some time since have seen any
thing of you" :, =, -
I'VE must be getting old, Mona
said Mary, with laugh. If 1t takes
an effort to recognize US
You're unkind," said Jones, re-
proachfully. Then, all at once his
manner changed. Seriously" he
said, 81 am extremely anxious to have
a talk with you. There is a matter OF
the gravest importance, in which, !
believe, you, and you only, can help
me. | wonder if you would come in
here with me-and have some tea,
perhaps, while we talk"
And so, a few moments later, they
were sitting with him at a secluded
table. They gave their order; he
waited until the tea things had been
brought, and then he leaned toward
them, speaking in low, confidential
tone.
"It's my business, as you must
know" he said, ito be aware Of a
good many things. l understand
very fully-something Of your lives
| know that you have no incomes
that the comfort in which you live
YOU must supply yourselves. 1t will
be simpler if you will believe that l
could, if l chose, give you, very
complete summary of everything that
you have done for a good many
monthsp
II think you had better come to the
point, Mr.. Jones" said Mary. e,
II agreep' said Jones. Il will be
frank. then. You have been able
more than once, to get the best OF
men who have fancied themselves ex-
tremely clever. | want you to under
take the task once more-and TINS
time. if YOU succeed, you will place
me under the heaviest of obligations
and you will, what is far more I'M
portant, do great service 10 inc
United States-a service SO important
that it would be impossible to over
estimate it! ),
"This country, as you must know,
he said, depends for its security
against attack, in very large meas
IRE. upon its coast defenses. To put
the matter briefly, secret that is
vital seems about to tall INTO tne
hands of foreign power-and OF tf1at
foreign power, moreover, wnieh IS
most likely to use its knowledge
against fus!'' =,
"Ohw said Mona. But how could
we help"
What has happened is this" said
tones. "A man named Hawkins, let
rs saw. was in a position to make trac.-
inps of certain drawings-plans, and
SO on. He was trusted-he betrayed
his trust. He made the tracings; ne
has sold them to man whom Shail
caIl Mr.. X. Mr.. X occupies posi-
ton of responsibility. 1t would be
;mnossible to bring a charge against
him without proof of the most definite
sort. / am sure of my facts-,but :, !
cannot prove them. know that X
IL sny OF the most dangerous sort,
but l am almost alone IN my kho"l-
AWhere is her" asked Mary. =.
az am telling you everything" said
ZONES "He will be on his way to
Halifax within few hours. He will
all from there on a liner that makes
a cali at Rotterdam. I am certain OF
this-and that the plans will be with
him. Now-I want you to sail on
the same steamer, as !shall DO my
self. want you to help me recover
those plans. m,,-,,,
doing something for our country,
Mona! Wouldn't that be worth
while?" ,,,m,.
II thought you would feel sol saia
ZONES triumphantly. "But there will
he a more substantial return than
that of knowing that you have done
a patriotic act, l will promise you
that the reward will be ADEQUATE
there is a large contingent fund, tor
which no accounting need be made
Nor said Mona, with decision
ard never accept pay
"Nor IT. echoed Mary. Our ex-
nenses-but no more. Well 60 gladly,
on those terms, Mr.. Jones'.
"That shall be as you choose, OF
course" he said. Can you start to-
night? You had better travel separate
". and on the steamer it would be
well if you failed, even, to strike up
the customary ocean acquaintance
ship-if you let it appear that you dis,
liked one another. i shall be on board
but l will know neither of you Off
cially."
The girls nodded understandingly.
"You want to expose Mr.. X, don't
you?" said Mary. Isn't it true that
he has such a position that he is very
YES. My warnings are laughed at,