The Punta Gorda herald. [volume] (Punta Gorda, Fla.) 1893-1958, 1916-11-30
Running
Gantlet
BY WILLARD BLAKEMAN

the Suez canal when one of them said
: "They may be able to take II ava
from us by force of arms, but the
can't do it by process Of law"
4 "How soY' asked one of the party.
II was member of the British EN-
bassy at Berlin when the ambassado
received cipher telegram from Lon
don saying that big block of stock o
the Suez canal had been offered fo
sale at Cairo. He was directed to sent
some one there to make the purchase
at any price. He called me into his
private office. showed me the dispatch
and told me to leave at once to do the
| Job. He said further that every large
power would be glad to control the
canal In this way, and IL 1t were
known to the others there would be u
race as to who would get there first to
make the purchase. The Germans
would be surely after 1t. II 1t were
known that l was going to Cairo ]
might be waylaid by the German Sc
cret service. considered this highly
probable, and instead Of leaving Berlin
In my own proper person, stole out
after dark.
"The route I chose was by rail to
Genoa, thence by sea to Cairo. On the
train In, the same compartment with
me was lady who from her cast Of
features. her dark eyes and hair set
down as being Turkish. She was
certainly Of an oriental type and
very beautiful woman. 1t Is quite.
Journey from Berlin to Genoa, and the
lady and | were In the same compart-
ment together for long while. Smok-
Ing was not allowed In the compart.
ment. but when at certain time all
had left 1t but she and | she took out
q box of cigarettes and asked me In
French--the medium between different
.nationalities on the continent-if OBJ
jected to her smoking. said no, and
she offered me the box. ! declined the
often whereupon she took out one.
lighted II and began to smoke.
"My suspicious were aroused by see.
ing her every few moments apply her
handkerchief to her mouth and nose, !
fancying that she did SO to inhale
something ON It that would counterfeit
an effect My suspicious were con.
frmed by peculiar odor In the smoke |
and languor stealing over me. ut
tempted to lower window beside me.
but was already so benumbed that ] |
couldn't get it down. had just
enough command of my forces to
smash the glass with my fist. The
fresh air revived me, and when turn
ed again to the Turkish lady she, In
well affected surprise, said:
Monsieur is sensitive to tobacco
smoker
avery replied.
II was satisfied that she had been
sent to delay me, and since by my man.
ner / indicated that I was ON my
guard she made no further attempt to
Interfere with me. When we left the
train at the border to take another /
Kept my eye on her and saw her head
ng for a telegraph office. I did not
ioubt that she would send message
o announce her failure, and some one
Else who stood ready would take up
Ter work where she had left off.
"The first night out from Genoa was
Walking the deck, taking my usual
moke before turning In. 1t was quite
ate, and there were but a few persons
till up. l was near the stern of the
'essel when n gentleman came from {
he taffrail and as he reached me stop. ]
ed and said in French with an Italian
ccent. .
The PHOSPHORUS illumination in
be wake Of the ship is very beautiful :
without forethought ! went the few
ards between me and the taffrail and
7as looking over when the man who !
ad followed me seized me and lifted \
10 to throw me over. Luckily for me !
had been an athlete ut home. being \
ond OF cricket, rowing and especially !
resting. My man was very strong \
ut ! withstood his efforts. !
THE next morning. \
Hold on What did you do with the I
Their fellowf' asked one of the lis. !
,ners. Z
when l tell story" replied the \
arrator, II tell the story as wish !
} tell 1t, and ! don't feel obliged to \
lswer questions" 4
"Oh, go onr'
1.-THE next morning and all the rest -
the time that was on the ship l .,
,pt my room. had become satisfied a
at some power-mind you, I don't S
y 1t was German-had let loose Its e
oodhounds to tear me to pieces II z
'cessary to keep me from Cairo, and -
didn't care to give any more of them S
opportunity. x
4 reached Cairo at night and going Il
hotel, went to bed thankful that -
rs not tossed about corpse In Medi. S
rranean waters. l would have en-. Il
yed good sleep had not feared -
me spy with murderous intent was -
der my bed. AS 1t was, merely s.
zed and the next morning after x
eakfast went out to get convey. =
ce to take me TO my destination. A -
III drove up, but before committing 8
self to his care / scrutinized him. *
a twinkling saw that he wore q -
g and false beard. -
Thanks, no. said to him. I've s.
t several OF your friends already *