Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1916-07-15
Oe
Soctalhtates
Story No. IS
In the Seruice of the State
Plot by George Bronson Howard.
Novelization by Hugh C. Weir.
Copyright Kalem Company.

Mary" said Mona Hartley. in a low
zone, TO her chum. Mary Burnett, don't
look over at once. But there is a man
across the street who has been follow
ing us for ten minutes I've seen him
Els nary oS5 auESsd Ssh gsss ghS ,saRsa S.m o,o
said. And then: Gk 4 Il KNOW 'hIrei hi@! ais shs
name is Jones-he's a United States
secret service man"
'Well?' said Mona, flatly. -Mary-
wnat has a secret service man to do
That's the secret of 1t, I suppose~
SAD Mary. AT any rate, we're likely
are people who would cay that our way
or getting along was very far from
being what IL should be-"
.rn5 9Gurs DsTsoE! hight, Of course" said Mona
Well-get over 1t! He's coming
over, and he's going to speak to us.
In sure! Don't act as II you thought
there was anything odd"
The next moment, indeed, Jones was
beside nem, hat in hand, beaming.
Miss Hartley-Miss Burnett" said
Jones. You don't know how glad 1
am TO see youi I was not certain-it
Is some time since I have seen any
we must be getting old. Mona!' said
Mary, with laugh. IF 1t takes an
effort to recognize US"
proachfully. Then. all at once his man
ner changed Seriously" he said, "I
am extremely anxious to have a talk
with you. There is matter of tho
gravest importance, in which. I believe,
you, and you only. can help me. won
der II you would come IN here with
me-and have some tea. perhaps. while
we talk?'
And so, few moments later, they
were sitting with him at a secluded
table. They gave their order: he wait
ed until the tea things had been
brought, and then he leaned toward
them speaking in low, confidential
TITS my business. as you must know
he eaid. "to be aware of a good many
things. I understand, very fully =
you have no incomes-tnat the comfort
in which you live you must supply
yourselves. 1t will be simpler II you
viii believe that could, If chose:
give you a very complete summary of
everything that you have done for
good many monthsw
II think you had better come to the
point. Mr.. Jones" said Mary.
Il agreew said Jones. II will be
frank, then. You have been able more
than once. to get the best of men who
have fancied themselves extremely
clever. want you to undertake the
task once more--and this time. II you
succeed, you will place me under the
heaviest of obligations-and you will,
what is far more important, do a great
service to the United States service
SO Important that it would be impos-
sible 20 overestimate it!
This country, as You must know"
he said, depends for its security
against attack, in very large meas.
ure, upon its. coast defenses. To put
the matter briefly, a secret that is vital
seems about to fall into the hands of
a foreign power-and OF that foreign
power, moreover, which is most likely
to use its knowledge against usw
"oh" said Mona. But how could
what has happened is this" said
Jones. "A man named Hawkins, let US
say, was in position to make tracings
OF certain neutrality-suspicious.. and so on.
He was trusted-he betrayed his trust.
He made the tracings; he has sold
them to man whom I shall call Mr.. X
Mr; x. occupies a position of RESPONSE
bility. 1t would be impossible to bring
a charge against him without proof of
the most definite sort. am sure of
my facts-but ! cannot prove them. I
know that K. is a spy of the most
dangerous sort, but am almost alone
in my knowledge"
Where is hep" asked Mary.
IT am telling you everything" said
Jones. HE will be on his way to Hall:
fax within a few hours. He will sail
from there on liner that makes a call
at Rotterdam. I am certain OF this
and that the plans will be with him.
NoW-l want you TO sail on the same
steamer, as shall do myself I want
you to help me to recover those plans"
Let's do it," said Mary. WED be
doing something for our country, Mona!
wouldn't that be worth while?'
II thought you would feel sop' said
Jones. triumphantly. But there will
be more substantial return than that
OF knowing that you have done a patri-
otic act. ! will promise you that the
reward will be adequate-there Is
large contingent fund, for which no ac-
counting need be made"
MOI" said Mona. with decision. 'Td
never accept pay"
Nor II" echoed Mary. "our expenses
but no more. Well go 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
ly, and on the steamer Il would be well
II you failed. even. to strike up the
customary ocean acquaintancesfip-
you let IL appear that you disliked one
another. I shall be aboard, but I will
know neither of you officially"
fTo IA IN. ffuuaA