The Daily Missoulian. [volume] (Missoula, Mont.) 1904-1961, 1917-12-12

/ he no longer spoke 10 bTeHt Will NHc
half Raging, half contemptuOus ear
lier tone. not even with the free COM
radcship OF a man speaking to his
equal. This lean, blase individual with
fthe cycglass. who usually looked SO
bored, and now seemed all tense deci-
sion, was both his superior officer and
his superior as man, and he knew it..
He got up and handed the papers
back. by Jove, sir" he stammered.
I'D no idea! must have been max.
ing an awful fool Of myself to you.
Wondering why you didn't enlist and
all that"
"Of course. you'd no idea cut in
Brent. III you had 1t would have
shown didn't know my business. Now,
look here. Pennicuik. we're up against
"a very tough lot. There are big things
going to be done tonight. Are you
prepared to help?"
"You Just give me the chance that's
all. sir
| "Well, listen. The SandcrsOns have
ARRANGED to burn this house tonight as
ia signal to German submarines out in
the harbor."
Pennicuik gave vent to n low whis-
tic Of dismay.
"You needn't worry" Brent treasured
him with a laugh "Thcy won't man
lage it. but shalt"
"You will burn the house," asked the
tamazed young man.
mo, no. III send a signal, not to the
herman submarines. though. but to a
lcouplc Of British cruisers which will
I ~ f.,,, . ks,
by Jove, that's great" cried Pen
nicuik. his eyes sparkling with enthu-
siasm and enjoyment. At last the war
was becoming real to him. which. In
spite OF his patriotism. his uniform
and tho military routine, it had not
yet done.
To most people in England, unaf-
fected as they are by the actual hor-
rors owing to a purely geographical
accident. the war seems more in the
nature of a malign nightmare than
Ianything else. Pennicuik. like every
other Englishman, had never been able
quite to get rid Of the feeling that he
was making rather an ass of himself
when he talked Of spies. signals. docu
ments. and all the rest of the well
iworn para phcrnala associated for 50
many years with pure melodrama
Now. as though at the touch Of a wand
the whole thing had sprung into real
lity and Pcnnicuik tingled to the knowl-
edge.
"Have they taught you the semi
Iphore?" asked Brent.
More or less. sir"
whats this?" asked Brent, rapidly
signaling a word
Pennicuik shook his head. You go q
bit too quick for me, sir"
Right. I'll try again. Got it this
time?"
II think so. Britannia. wasn't ii?
Brent nodded. You're all right
Thatll do. In half an hour or less
you will see somebody signaling at this
window, with lights. Of course. Don't
worry. You'll know. it's me signaling
to the cruisers"
'1sigft.Y SIR Is titrc. anything else
It's nearly time for mo to relieve the
sentry"
Chris smiled with touch Of grim,
ness.
Anything else? It's really rather
funny you should ask that. I should
just think there was. You're not
keen to become a corpse yet awhile
SUPPOSE"
well, not cxactly-can't say that
am"
III the Sandersons' plan had sue.
ceeded." remarked Chris, quietly
you'd have had no option
This was bringing the war home witt
Il vengeance. Pennicuik stared al
Brent, hardly able to believe him.
Good God. sir. you are joking! Yol
don't mean"
They were worried about you." re-
piled Chris. From your place on tho
cliff you might very easily have seer
the flame and given the alarm before
the house was properly alight. THAI
would not have suited their book al
all. So it was arranged that Fritz
should-make sure of your silence. A
little effort with a knife. 1 take It,"
Murder, sheer murder" gaspcd
Percy.
"Thcy will still attempt it," went or
Chris. 80 you must keep your eyes
open, and II anybody fails to answc,
your challenge you must shoot. and
shoot to kill. You are Il crack shot
they tell me-"
pennicuik turned to go, then cam,
back.
Look here. sir. simply don't know
how to thank YOU" he said. awkward
~.
Don't thank me; you run along I.
your place and sec that you keep your
eyes and cars we'll open, and good luck
to you."
Good luck to you. sir and PsNn-
cnik saluted before lie went out at the
window.
Chris stood still for moment lie
began to search in his pockets. then Il
look of satisfaction came over his face
as his fingers touched what they
sought. lie drew out his pipe. filled it
with care, lit it, and drew two or three
puffs with deep contentment Then,
pipe In mouth. he went round tho
room switching off the lights and went
out. shutting the door after him.
The whole household had apparently
gone to bed. Only few lights showed
in the top story windows. Presently a
faint CLEAN sprang to life in the sit
ting room. 1t was very faint, for 1t
only came from the small elect ric