The Hays free press. [volume] (Hays, Kan.) 1908-1924, 1916-11-25

ralVS, Lieutenant Hope, said the
chairman, land can assure you that
your services in this matter will not be
forgotten. only wish that you had met
with better success, for if there was
ever a time in our history when we
stood in need of such q weapon as
this invention Of Doctor Burke would
place in our hands, it is now. 1 will
be frank with you, Mr.. Hope. The
nation finds itself today in a grave,
not to say perilOus, situation. A for
eign power, whose name there is no
need to mention, taking advantage of
the Mexican imbroglio, has presented
to this government certain demands
which are, to all intents and purposes,
an ultimatum. Our national honor will
not permit US to agree to these de-
mands, which are humiliating in the
extreme, yet to enter into war with
a f1rst-claSS power at the present time,
with our navy sadly deficient in ships
and men and our army engaged in
Mexico, would only invite disaster.
The only thing that would save the
situation for US would be the discov-
cry of Doctor Burke's invention. With
such a weapon in our hands. the safe
ty of our coasts and harbors would
be virtually assured, for under such
circumstances, I doubt If any power
would expose its navy to the risk of
destruction by attacking US. You see,
therefore, how much depends on find
ing this formula. Now that you are
acquainted with the situation that con-
fronts US, are you still of the opinion
that it is useless to continue the
Search?"
1.-THE formula has not been de-
stroyed," said Hope. cat least we
have no reason TO believe that it has.
is always a chance, even though a
very slim one, of its being found"
care you willing to resume the
search?" asked the chairman. 'I am
not giving you an order, Lieutenant
HOpe-I am asking you a question"
Hope rose and saluted. with your
permission, sir" he said briefly, ST
will start for the coast tonight"
Though Hope had received no an
swer to the wire which he had sent
Cleo from New York, informing her
that he had broken his engagement to
Inez Machin and that he was return
ing to California to marry her, he con-
iectured that the message might have
been delayed in reaching her.
Within an hour after his arrival in
San Francisco he was crossing the bay
by ferry to VaIdavia. Never had the
csIyu co
had the flowers seemed so fragrant !;
never had the little town seemed so
attractive. Yet as he drew nearer
to the little house there was in
its appearance something which
brought a sudden chill to his heart.
The shutters were closed; the walk
was OvergrOwn with weeds; the lawn,
in whose appearance Hook had taken
such pride, had not been cut for weeks.
Swinging open the old-fashioned
creaking gate, over which he and Cleo
had leaned so often, he FASTENED up
the graveled path and raped loudly
at the door. There was no answer.
He raped again; then tried the door,
but 1T was locked. The house was
deserted. His eye was caught by a slip
been pushed under the door. He drew
it out. It was a notice from the tele-
graph company that message was be-
ing held at the Office for Miss Burke,
as there was no one to accept de-
livery. That explained, at least, why
he had received no answer to his wire.
He hurried to the nearest neigh
boris.
"Can you tell me where Miss Burke
has gone?" he asked the woman who
answered the bell.
'T haven't the least idea," she an
swered. 'T saw her leaving the house
early one morning. She was dressed
for travelling and that old sailor, Hook,
who was with her, was carrying her
bag"
'When was that7"
''Let me see,'' said the woman. 'I
think it must have been a couple of
weeks ago yes, it was two
weeks ago yesterday. I remember,
because that same afternoon another
gentleman was here asking for Miss
Burke"
Another gentleman echoed Hope.
''Who was he? What did he look
like?'
'He was a lawyer. I think said
the woman. ''He said that he had
come all the way from New York to
see Miss Burke and that he had very
important news for her. and that, if
I learned where she had gone, I was
to let him know at once He left his
card with me, so I would know where
TO reach him. I'll get it for you"
She disappeared to return in a mo-
ment with card on which was en-
graved:
Il. Chalmers tombstone
TOMBSTONE, ROWLING & JOHN.
STONE
Attorneys-at-EaW