The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1916-09-24
CHAPTER VII.
Senator Johnston's Fate"

IA n ARGARET BRONSON'S terri
IWE flying adventures served at
Iva least one useful purpose-they
threw light on certain dark
places In Ali Singh's underground plot
ting and thus helped to clear some of
the mists from Mannings brain.
In the first instance Margaret was
quite sure that the beautiful eastern
girl Mile. Malta, had either lost her
senses completely or was acting under
hypnotic influence. 1t was impossible
to believe that an old time friend and
classmate at Vassar would willingly
join in any such outrageous scheme Of
political blackmail and assassination
as that conducted by her uncle, Ali
Singh.
Margaret, questioned on the point by
her lover, was quite sure that Malta
had never once recognized her during
those dreadful hours In All Chow's
joint.
Didn't you appeal to her personal
ly?" inquired Manning.
"Why, Of course did. The moment
I caught sight Of her I was intensely
|, relieved and felt sure that would be
released at once with an explanation
that some extraordinary mistake had
been made. Instead Of being set at
liberty. however, was shut in hor-
hid room, and, although Malta herself
brought quantity of food, which she
pressed me to take, she simply disre-
garded my earnest appeals and listen
ed with curious puzzled expression.
The look on her face reminded me Of
a child striving vainly to understand
words uttered in foreign language"
Undoubtedly she was in a hypnotic
state" broke in Manning. Among
eastern peoples whenever any man OBJ
tains commanding influence over the
multitude it may be taken for granted
that mcsmeric power plays no small
part in his mental makeup. Probably
when science has investigated these
occult matters more fully 1t will be
found that every human being sends
forth a personal aura somewhat akin
to the electric waves flowing from
wireless station and varying in inten-
sity as induction coils vary in power
We already admit the fact in our COM
q mon speech. We talk Of people being
magnetic or repellent. and what are
these qualities but the positive and
negative poles of electricity"
"Are you positive or negative, JackT'
piped May Manning.
Dunno" grinned young Bronson.
"Guess I'm the one that fits In best
with your outfit"
Manning frowned at such frivolities.
A. in dealing with Ali Singh we've got
10 take into account great many
things not hitherto dreamed OF in our
philosophy" he said seriously. II see
now quite plainly that he has made
every preparation for real and mercl-
less war against the leading men OF
this country. He knows quite well
that the millions don't count. In Amer
lea. as in his own land, the multitude
follows it's leaders like SO many nocks
of sheep"
"You mustn't say that when the
newspaper reporters come along, Er-
roll" broke in Bronson.
"It's the truth anyhow, and no one
knows that better than the experienced
journalist Public opinion can be man
ufactured by exactly the same means
AZ are used by 4 clever merchant In
selling his wares. But let's keep to
the business in hand and drop theoris-
ing. So far rs you could Judge, Mar
Raret, does Ali Singh depend wholly
upon himself, or has he any really
clever assistants"
The girl obviously shudderad At rec
election of some of the sinister shapes
which had fitted before her eyes dur
ing her imprisonment in All elbows
den. but nerved herself to speak crit
ically.
II regarded most Of the men and
women az mere fanatics whom thsir
master could control ~ he wished, =
she said, choosing her words with care
MALTA, Of course, stood apart ! am
sure she u not acting as her true SELF
But that man you fought with the
moment after Malta ana you brought
ne into the corridor strikes me a. q
t0y dangerous person indeed"