The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-12-10

luctance to charge Hong Kong Harry as a federal prisoner had contributed to the mans release on bail. How ever, the one great fact remained Ali Singh was safely lodged in the sunken submarine. and the naval off, cers bore out the inventors claim that when the air lock was destroyed the whole of the air supply in the hull would be exhausted almost at once. So there was no gloom, but not little eaeer anticipation. among the group which partook of the com mandant's hospitality.
 In so far as Manning and Bronson were concArned-ard, indeed. May Manning might well he inclrded with then--it was a most fortunate thing that they ate substantial meal while in this iubilant state of mind They had inst risen from the table when midshipman arrived with the news that the submarine had been brought m much more rapidtv than was aAticipa+ed. owing to the diving operations before facilitated bv the wire hauser attached to the coming tower. but the closest search revealed only two bodies on board
 Both were undersized Japanese One man had died from a fracture of the skull, the other from suffocation, and torpedo lieutenant was of the opinion that the third occupant of the submarine had been shot out through torpedo tube. This feat was quite cfI I1I 1a4. and instant exhaustion of the limited supply of air left in the vessel after the demolition of the air lock, and the resultant sacrifice of his life q few minutes earlier than would other wise have been the case by the man who released the living torpedo.
 Manning's face blanched as he lis- tened. He groaned aloud. It seemed almost as though he had been guilty of ,dereliction of duty Strong swim nler though Ali Singh might be, he could not possibly have escaped the many watchful eyes on the patrol boat had anyone thought of such a fanciful means of escape as that sug- gested by the naval officers theory. Even the very self-confident Smith son was dumfounded when he heard what had happened. though he quite candidly acknowledged that the thing could be done.
 Three days later Manning knew for certain that Ali Singh was at large again. It was ascertained, almost by chance. that a package of telegrams in duplicate had been purloined from government office, and Manning, when appraised of the theft, soon understood it's object. because among those very documents were some which set forth the fact that Maxwell Judson, the ill-fated inventor of quadrinolite, had secretly intrusted the formula to his nephew, Captain Ralph Cook. Eleventh U. S Cavalry, recently stationed in the far East. but now back in New York on furlougl.
 The mere mention of quadrinolite awoke Manning's liveliest suspicious. and brief inquiry showed that Ali Singh's agents were already devot- ing some attention to the young cavalry officer. Manning did not lose a second in getting to work. He at once sent a succinct note. which read:
 Dear Captain Cook: Circum-
 stances lead me to believe that an
 oriental desperado named Ali Singh,
 who was actually responsible for
 your uncle's death, has learned that
 you have the formula of quadrino-
 lite in your possession. He will cer-
 tainly try to get it: indeed. he is trying now. Guard the documents carefully, as Ali Singh is wonder worker. and has his spies and agents
 planted everywhere As official
 business calls me out of town in the
 morning, l am asking Police Cap
 tain Kemp to come and see you.
 am sincerely yours,
 ERRoL MANNING.
 It goes without saying that Cap- tain Cook was considerably aston ished on perusing that letter. It reached him just as he was putting on his accoutreTnents to pay q visit to the commanding officer of the Sev- enth Regiment. an old friend of his.
 Luckily he had given himself plenty of time, 90 could spare a min ute not only to consider Manning's warning seriously but to unlock a secretaire, take large envelope from an inner drawer and examine it's contents before making everything secure again. It was difficult for the soldier to decide just what pre- cautions he ought to take or whom to suspect, because, like most of the crack cavalry regiments, the Elev- enth employed 8 host of Japanese in the mess and as personal servants.
 At any rate, he determined to safe guard his keys, which he had not scrupled hitherto to leave in charge of his own man, Katura.
 He kept his eyes open. too, but could not discover the least change in the Jap's impassive demeanor. It is an extraordinary and somewhat sinister fact that the American army and navy should employ so many aliens. Of course the brown men make first-rate domestics, but na- tional interests should be reckoned O. greater account than the con- venience of individuals. Naturally enough, Captain Cook awaited Police Captain Kemp's visit with good deal of curiosity. The soldier wore the un- dress uniform of his regiment and was going through some correspond ence when Kemp was announced. The police captain was shown in by Katura. whorl he scrutilized so closely the moment he entered the room that Cook could not help smiling.
 You must not be surprised if distrust all Asiatics." explained Kemp, after he had formally intro duced himself. MT. Manning and Tere, Then