Charlevoix county herald. (East Jordan, Mich.) 189?-1953, 1917-08-10
"Haxe WON concurred in his opln.

"Never entirely. Certainly not
nowi"
"Then you believe the defendant to
be the Silent MenaceT
II do not" replied the colonel quick
ly and emphatically.
"Who was the person discussed be-
tween Major Brent and yourself?"
1.-The major without reason named
my orderly, T. o. Adams" Colonel
Dare slowly stated.
"Was there to your knowledge any,
thing personal between your major and
your orderly?"
For the third time Colonel Dare
hesitated. 81 had reason to believe
that the defendant was attached to
my daughter" he answered with en-
barrassment after painful pause.
adams, it seems, has also been a
suitor-successfully."
ITO which you have no objectionf'
"No material one" stammered the
colonel; at which every person except
Pearl and Adams smiled. The colonel
was then excused.
InQuisition now fell upon Miss Dare,
the heroine of the hour. She rose with
queenly dignity and amid hushed
admiration. took her seat quietly In
the witness box.
But the first question brought the
scarlet into her face. you knew
Capt. Ralph PayneT'
HE was my fiance," replied Pearl
In low voice.
"Was Major Brent ever discussed
between you and Captain PayneT
"Only as we would talk Of one whose
friendship was dear to us. They were
brother officers"
WAS Captain Payne ever discussed
between Major Brent and yourself?''
Occasionally" was Pearls evasive
reply.
do you recall the nature Of Major
Brent's remarks about Captain
PayneT
''They were guarded, though not un-
friendly. To be perfectly truthful,
always thought that the major was
Jealous of the captains place in my
affections"
HAS Major Brent ever mentioned
to you this opinion that T. o. Adams
was the Silent Menace?'
"Often."
"You have not agreed with him?"
II intend to marry Il. o. Adams"
Pearl replied with telling directness.
Il would not marry traitor to my
countryl'
Your answer is sufficient and ad,
mirable, Miss Dare" commented the
Judge acknowledgements. do you be-
lieve Major Brent to be the Silent
Menace?"
Pearls hesitation was barely notice
able. II cannot believe that, in spite
Of everything"
you are excused, Miss Dare" And
Pearl stepped down, returning to her
seat by the colonels side, making way
for Miss Bertha Bonn.
When she took the place vacated
by Pearl, Brent for the first time
raised his bowed head and ap-
praised her closely; and for the first
time he realized that after all II was
Bertha Bonn whom he loved, the girl
Of his youth, sitting there now pale
composed and determined woman OF
the world whose momentary glance in
his direction answered every silent
question and satisfied him completely
Adams, alert and watchful, eyine
the two between half-closed lids
leaned back In his chair with an audi
BILE sigh. He also was satisfied. II
that passing second 1t came to al
three-Brent, Adams and Bertha-tha'
fate was playing strange pranks with
their personal affairs; with Berthe
possibly holding the reins.
"You are a member Of Colone
Dare's householder
II am Miss Dare's honored guest
"You knew Capt. Ralph PayneT
II did not"
"Yet, you were the messenger SEN
by the Silent Menace to the GranadiaI
frontier with the secret canal defense
plans after they left Captain Payne''
handsf"
II was"
"You also acted as his messenger
when he returned the stolen nationa
preparedness budget to Senator War
field In the committee roomsT
! II was-not."
Even Major Brent opened his eye
wide upon hearing this statement 81
apparently contradictory with thu
facts.
The judge acknowledgement again re
peated his question. Bertha again re
piled In the negative.
did you not deliver packet to Il
: o. Adams In Senator Warfield's com
mittee room In the evening the nation
al preparedness budget was stOlenf"
81 did"
"Do you know what the packet cor
tainedT
II do"
"What did IL contain II not the ne
: tional preparedness dataf
1.-THE stolen secret canal defens
plans" replied Bertha In calm an
distinct voice, not losing her composur
an instant.
: "Exclsedi" roared the Judge advt
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