Middletown transcript., 1917-11-10
other clubs because he insists that

other clubs because he insists that
Shakespeare was really James L
"Yes, it's queer world, lieutenant |;
and the oldest thing Of all is that
when one has something of the utmost
Importance to the human race to make
public, not single man will take the
least interest in it. l can't induce a
single member to listen to me. How
ever, we live and let live; and, as 1
said, the organization helps. But can
you dine with me?"
I've nothing particular to do this
evening-for the first time in years"
"Then do come in and have dinner
with me-" said the old man eagerly. Il
won't pretend that I'm not going to
try and enlist your aid to save the
human race in spite Of those benight-
ed, besotted, blind-as-a-bat blasto-
derms in the admiralty office, because
I am. But 1 believe that Providence
has sent you to me, and If I can't
make you believe me, at least I don't
want it said that Jonathan Roderick
Masterman went down into his grave
without warning the human race Of
what was coming.
"Sir, if the public knew tithe of
what I know, they would make peace
with France-Germany? Thank you)
and arm themselves against the most
relentless enemy that ever threatened
mankind. Sir. you will yet live to see
old Jonathan Roderick Masterson's
statue in gold, standing In front of the
capitol"
Paget, now quite convinced that his
old friend was raving mad, followed
him into a queer little building, appar-
emily q combination Of club and hotel.
The smoking room, which was situ-
ated on the .ground floor Immediately
behind the clerks desk, was crowded
with members, all talking at once at
the top of their voices. AS the captain
paused to enter his guests name in
the book, Paget looked in through the
drifting smoke clouds.
A dozen men had the floor, and were
gesticulating furiOusly.
Captain Masterman, having en-
tered his guests name, touched him
upon the arm.
They're all mad, my lad, said the
old man. surveying the assemblage
with a look of pity. mo doubt you
wonder how can associate my name
with theirs. If it wasn't for our mag
azine, in which our articles appear, and
our excellent organization, couldn't
bring myself to it"
'Who edits the magazine?" inquired
Donald.
"That was a matter of some diff
Guilty." replied Masterman. 1T proved
impossible to find member sufficient
ly broad-minded to consider the others
and allow them space, and nobody
would accept my own offer to become
the editor, simply out Of professional
antagonism. Each wanted to utilize
the entire available space for his own
crazy ideas. So we drew lots for 1t.
Fortunately, won the editorship last
month. Here is copy" he added,
picking up an attractive little publica-
ton that lay on the clerks desk.
But I am not going to talk to you
in the smoking room," continued Mas
terman, "for that atmosphere would
prejudice you against believing what
I am going to say. And I must con-
vince you, my dear boy. because those
lunatics are utterly beyond the bounds
Of reason, and much is at stake. A
cataclysm is impending which will in
evitably destroy humanity unless we
devote our common energies to the
maintenance Of our lives, our liberties
and our civilization"