The Hays free press. [volume] (Hays, Kan.) 1908-1924, 1916-09-02

rssst. 1914, b z Ak1AAssr FsVeE
He was STABILITY dressed and very
dark of skin. If asked to hazard a
guess as to his nationality. one would
probably have put him down as ma
tive Of eastern Europa Roumanian,
perhaps, or a Greek.
Draped over his shoulder were half
a-doZen imitation Turkish rugs which
he perfunctorily offered to everyone
who entered or left the building. That
he made no sales did not seem to dis
courage him; like all Fasteners he
possessed the virtue of patience. The
noon whistles had just concluded their
raucous chorus when a tall and strik-
ingly handsome woman, gowned in the
height of fashion, came out of the
apartment house and etarted to enter
waiting taxicab. At once the vender
hurried forward, unfolding a rug for
her inspection.
mo, no. she said, with a strong
foreign accent, waving him aside. Il
wish no rugs. Go away"
But these is YER fine carpet, ma
dame,' urged the man, proffering one
of his rugs for her inspection. 1
bring heem all the way from Samar-
kand."
From Samarkand?" said the wom-
an, abruptly hating. How can 1 be
certain that it comes from Samar-
kand?"
"Eet has the Samarkand mark"
said the vender, loudly enough for the
door attendant and the taxi driver to
hear him. Madame may see for her
SELF" and he indicated a small lead
seal which was attached to the rug.
The woman examined the charac-
| tiers imprinted on the seal. cit is In
! she acknowledged. You may bring
it to my room. If it harmonizes with
the furniture and your price is not too
high, I will buy it,
Ascending in the elevator to an up
per floor of the apartment house, she
| led the way into a handsomely fur
nished sitting-room. No sooner were
they inside than the vender, tossing
his rugs on the floor, silently shot the
brass bolt of the door. Then he
| crossed the room to where the woman
was standing. Lifting her hand, he
pressed it to his lips.
''You don't seem overioyed at seeing
me, O1ga?" he complained, still hold
| ing her hand.
81 didn't recognize you In those
clothes and with your mustache
shaved OF, Sextus," she answered,
throwing herself into q chair. 81
| didn't even know that you were In
| San Francisco. received word from
the embassy in Washington to wait
here for the man from Samarkand.'
They told me that he would prove his
identity by showing me a seal with
the imperial cipher. I have been
waiting here for nearly week. But
why all this mystery"
| cit is necessary, Olga" was the an.
swer. I'VE have reason to believe
that the governments suspicious have
been aroused and that orders have
been issued to the Secret Service to
keep me under surveillance. l didn't
dare to ask for you openly. The
chances Of being recognized were too
] great And there was another rea-
son: have found that others than our
selves are after the secret of the sub
1
marine"
'But what have you learned about
| the invention?" demanded Olga, i'm.
patiently.
"I have just come from Valdavia, -
said Sextus. DAY before yesterday q
naval constructor named Hope reached
there from Washington and imme
| diately called on Burke Yesterday
Burke took Hope on trial trip in the
submarine The test, so 1 learned
from members of the crew, was en-
tirely successful They remained sub
merged for eight hours, Rurke's inven.
ton supplying them with air. There
was some sort of trouble on board
however, though was unable to learn
ali the details. It seems that a Japa-
nese named Satsuma, whom Burke has
been employing, was caught examin
/ ing the apparatus and in the fracas
that ensued he shot two of the sea
men,"
"a Japanese?" Olga calculated. did
he escape?"
eyes He opened the hatch and
| plunged into the sea. The police are
after him. of course. but they have
been unable to get any trace of him
It was to him that referred when ]
said just now that we are not the only
ones after the secret"
/ But the invention?'' repeated the
woman. Cant it be bought"
st fear not" said Soxtus, gloomfly
At understand that Burke has already
given the American government ar
option on it and that Hope has wired
to Washington urging that it be pur
chased at once"
How do you know all this?"
/ 81 learned it from a one-armed sea
man named Barnacle, whoseems to be
in Burke's confidence loosened his
tongue with few drinks last night .
Ny friend" said Olga, rising. 1--WE
must get possession Of that invention
by purchase If We can-by other means
If we must. You know what It means
to me, Sextus. The ambassador has
virtually promised me that If can gel