Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1917-04-20

| planned the muller affair, could not
get over the fact that Adams had
come back a hero In the estimation
Of the government and the Dares.
II was Major Brent who, while
Adams was being examined by the
general army staff, tried to pierce his
testimony full of holes and make him
out anything but a well-meaning and
patriotic fellow.
"You knew that the Canal defense
plans were in Captain Payne's belt
from the very beginning. didn't your"
queried the major at that time.
II didn't" answered Adams to the
point.
"When did you discover them TO be
concealed there?" ~interposed the chief
OF stan.
"On the day Major Brent t-took
them from me-"
in the hut Of the old woman in
Granada?
Adams nodded.
"Why then did You resist arrest and
conceal the information you now
vouch?"
Il had a notion that I could k-ketch
that there Silent Menace. / wanted
20 coop the credit. Amt that natural?
I jest let Major E-eut think t-that I
was a Granadian spy"
"But who other than you could have
given the Canal defense plans to b.
lero?" .nterjected Brent, sarcastically.
"Why. the Silent Menace. himself -
answered Adams In surprise at such a
question.
1T was not you, thenf"
II told you before II w-wasn't me-.
maintained Adams. his features flush
ing In anger. 1.-The Silent Menace
amt been about l-lately-ever since
/ shot Bolero."
To that suggestion there could be
only vague comment.
Major Brent fell silent and bided
his time.
you'll git me yet, w-won't you. ma
jorY" ironically inquired Adams one
day when the two were for a ONE
alone In Colonel Dare's library.
The major eyed him ferociously.
"You may depend upon 1t. I WILL"
"Im terribly scared Of you" laughed
the orderly. "M-me and Miss Bonn
we're afeared tito open our mouths.
Have you e the lady lately? And
that reminds me, major-you'd give a
hull h-heap to have that photograph
back. wouldn't you? ! amt n-no
blackmailer. but"
Brent held up a protesting hand. for
Miss Dare was approaching.
Adams withdrew into the hall. He
chuckled when he overheard Miss
Dare's greeting.
Thanks for the flowers, Thornton"
She wore a beautiful and becoming
corsage. lit was as usual thoughtful
Of YOU" Then she changed the sub
ject.
II wonder what has become of Miss
Bertha Bonn?" she asked. %innocently.
Miss Bertha BonnT' repeated Ma
jor Brent. blankly.
'The girl we saved from Bolero.
I haven't seer or heard Of her since
we left the Granadian border"
Adams fingered In the hallway. lis
ienIng.
II know nothing about her." lied
Major Brent In the manner Of one dis
missing an embarrassing subject.
"Will You look her upT" persisted
Pearl. clInging TO her theme.
"If you ask me to, yes"
"Obtain her address, please. I'll ask
her to call. / want to set her straight
about"
about what7" Brent fnltered.
"Don't pry into women's secrets,
Thornton" she warned In an arch
manner. II may possibly want to dis
cuss-you."
"Good Lord !" exclaimed Brent. try
ing TO be comical. but failing utterly.
He was in hot water md showed II
by muttering something about Adams.
"Did you call me. Miss Dare?" IN
%terrupted Adams. suddenly appearing
In the doorway. His laughing eyes
were fastened upon the disconnected
major.
p u uOh 4 Fff " sVu ~ Stuii thut
awkward gink around" growlcd Brent
as Pearl dismissed the orderly with a
kindly motion.
Pearls eyes opened wide. "He's not
awkward. He's handsome"
you'll rue It," warned Brent, sigh
ing as one who knows.
Subsequently Adams, obtaining
leave from Colonel Dare, went up
town and paid an unexpected call on
Miss Bertha Bonn In her apartment
in the Hotel Wilton.
"Gosh 7" he exclaimed. feeling a bit
awkward In her luxurious sitting
room. at minus cost you q heap Of
money to live here"
Bertha laughed and offered him n
cigarette from her gold case, lighting
one herself.
They sat down.
ST knew that you would come some
time. I'm not afraid of you any more.
L. O. Adams. In fact. I believe that
we can get along well together" h
began. cordially.
"What do you think I c-come for?'
inquired he. looking ut her steadily.
ITO talk with me about Major