The Monticellonian. [volume] (Monticello, Ark.) 1870-1920, 1917-07-12

convey them to the commandment at the
canal ! knew that secret meeting OF
the general army STAFF had been called
that DAY / did not know nor did Miss
Dare that Colonel Dare, Major Brent
and Captain PAYNE had been called to
that meeting nor did either Of US know
that they were in Washington. There
fore, when | saw the captain come from
the war office my suspicious were mme-
diately aroused. They were deepened
when my eve noted. while he stood by
the automobile chatting with Miss Dare
that the left shoulder strap did mol cor
respond with the right shoulder strap.
II stood higher on the shoulder and
seemed to bulge a trihe. Closer obserya-
ton proved that IL had recently been re
moved and replaced by someone not a
tailor
Then I saw the locket dangling on his
watch chain. It was brand new. Know
ing that Captain Payne would wear no
leeket that had not been presented to
him by Miss Dare and seeing her eyes
suspiciously cast upon il. / inferred that
here was the hiding place of the waters.
But / did not know these things TO be
facts when | FASTENED to the Hotel Will
ton and through a valet in my employ
gained entrance to the captains rooms,
opened his luggage. took out his private
stationery and, initiating his handwriting,
left the note of warning as bait.
The bait took. Monsieur Adams. I,
myself. hidden in an adjoining room.
heard Captain Payne telephone to the
war secretary that someone had leaked,
proving to me that my calculations and
intuitions were correct.
The rest WAS very simple. had
handled the captains clothes too often
not TO be aware of the size of his coat.
To procure duplicate was easy mat
ter-and also a duplicate locket. The
valet sewed the newspaper under the left
shoulder strap In the substitute coat and
cleVerly left this coat on the tree taking
Captain Payne.s in exchange. under his
very eyes. when he returned the captains
evening clothes from the pressing room.
The substitute locket was IN the substi
tute coat when the valet hung IL on the
clothes tree. Payne had thrown his watch
and Chain in the bureau having detached
and concealed the loeket containing the
waters in side pocket of his coat IN
cordance with directions which had
heard discussed privately between Colonel
Dare and Major Brent.
1t will be recalled that on leaving his
room in the Wilton, Payne examined the
coat on tie tree. pinching the paper con
eealed under the left shoulder strap SO
that secret service men stationed across
the street might see this action. He also
took the locllet out of the pocket and held
II in the light This too, they saw.
Had Captain Payne opened and exam
mend the locket the success of my ruse
might not have been so simply accom-
plished. For it WAS Of course, empty.
He did not do this, however.
Thus were the Canal Defense plans and
the waters necessary to interpret them
/ stolen, Monsieur Adams.
Now as to Miss Bertha Bonn I had
never heard of her before that night but
a message from her to Major Brent re
ceivod during the dinner at the Dares
slipped out of the majors pocket during
tie ride TO the Granadian embassy ball
and fell unwittingly into my hands.
/ saw Miss Bonn al the ball several min
utes before I murdered the Granaeian
ambassador when he was about TO weak
en- in our plot and expose II. | observed
that sire wore a loeket similar to the
one containing the chemical waters. on
one occasion she opened II and | caught
| tight of Major Brcnts miniature and the
| inscription thereupon pruclaiming Eer 70
be his wife. This gave me an inspiration.
| Desiring to draw another high army Of
feer in my power and needing an ennis
sary TO convey the defense plans and the
chemical waters to the Granadian Dor
der 10 Bolero, the reVolutionist in our
employ, ! effected the transfer of the
loekets in Miss Bonns hotel apartment
and left the packet containing the plans
in her suitcase with the assistance of the
valet while she was absent from the
room in quest of newspaper containing
the first accounts of the ambassadors
supposed suicide
The Granadian ambassador died from
the effects of a powder which I dissolve /
in glass Of water. ! wrote the note found
under his dead hand addressed TO Captain
Payne.
l impersonated myself on the night tile
army mobilization data was stolen from
the secretary of war. think you knew
! that.
And now. Monsieur Adams, take leave
OF you. never TO return. For having
failed. my life Is worthless to the cause
/ to which 1t has been dedicated Why
/ should l tell You who or even in
innate sphere OF existence other than
the lonely chauffeur occupied?
With YOU 1t is different. You can now
drop the name of Adams monsieur. and
assume your own, Captain Ralph Payne
AS Lawyer cambridge finished,
shadow darkened the doorway. Every
one rose Pearl advanced with eyes
bright and arms outstretched.
SuGening in the doorway at atten-
ton, his heels clicked sharply together,
and facing Colonel Dare, the figure
spoke.
Il have the honor to report for duty,
sir" said the coloneI's orderly.
Then he turned hesitatingly to
Pearl. Both were pale and trembling.
Captain Paynel" she murmured
amid the stiffness, flying into his arms.
Pearl" he whispered, gathering her
| In a tight embrace Pearl of the
, Army and my life forever.''
(THE END.)