Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1917-07-01

handed It to his mother, who undid a
few buttons of her tight black satin
bodice and thrust the precious paper
within.
Then. with something almost ceremo-
NAL in her action. she took her sons
head between her hands-they were
nearly of a height-and kissed him on
the forehead. You have done a great
thing for the fatherland." she said, sol
EMMY. and our imperial master will
not forget you. And now tell me. what
about these troops from the north: that
is a vital question to which We must
through
Charles shrugged his shoulders. Il
can't quite tell. My department hasn't
touched them, but from what ] can
make out. there seems very little doubt
they are on the way"
But, Charles. they are relying on us
for confirmation. What are We to dor
Charles looked at his watch. Wei. 1
have left instructions with Gluekman
that he is to let US have a message be-
tween IL and 1 this morning. He may
be calling now. Is the coast quite
clear"
quite. l think, but we viii ask Fritz.
Just ring the bell, will you, Charles"
Charles obeyed. and in a moment Fritz
answered the summons. When he saw
that the Sandersons were alone in the
room his expression changed. and, clos
ing the door carefully. he came right
up to them.
Fritz. is everybody out?" asked Mrs.
Sanderson.
sEverybody. Meestair Pollock. he
was in at the telephone. but he has
just gone out to buy a paper. and l
saw Mr.. Brent go with him. Miss
Myrtle. she Is in her room, and Mrs
Lee and Miss Pollock. they are in their
rooms
Good" replied Charles. Hang about
in the passage and keep your eyes
open. Fritz. We're going to use the
wireless. Mother. you stand by the
window"
When Fritz had left the room and
Mrs. Sanderson had taken up her post.
Charles crossed over to the fireplace.
and. pressing the spring, brought the
Marconi installation revolving around
ceiver to his ears and picked up the
key. Silence rewarded him.
Funny that he isn't calling" mutter-
ed Charles, glancing at his watch
again: Il will try signaling him." He
tapped out call and waited again.
What the devil can be the matter?
The thing can't be out of order" He
bent down to examine 1T and caught
sight Of the damaged detector. Dam
nation! Somebody's been tampering
with it, Mother. look here"
Mrs. Sanderson FASTENED across the
room, her black satin dress creaking
and rustling, her face flushed with agi-
tation.
Impossible, impossible" she cried.
mo one can have got at it,
What's the good of saying it's i'm
possible?" said Charles impatiently. Il
tell you the detector,S smashed to
pieces. Look here"
Mrs. Sanderson made a violent effort
to control herself. though her hands
were trembling.
ut was all right last night" she said.
II got your message"
Then it's been done this morning
said Charles. Who's been IN here?
That's the question. mother"
Everybody. couldn't help it.
thanks to the accident to the lounge.
Every one expected to come in here.
and I thought 1t would look suspicious
IL I refused, and I thought there would
Ring for Fritz" said Charles shortly.
He swung the CRATE back to its normal
position and, unlocking the door, took
up his position slightly to one side of it
Fritz had hardly crossed the threshold
before Sanderson had taken him firmly
by the ear. His fingers nipped sharply.
and Fritz. with an expression of be-
wilderment and alarm on his rotund
countenance. sidled obediently forward,
Now, Fritz" said Charles speaking
very low, but with suppressed passion.
Il want you to understand that if you
lie you are done for"
Mr.. Charles. Mr.. Charles" expostu..
lated Fritz. 'T not understand. Lie!
For what should I lie?'
Who's been tampering with the Mar
conf instrument? It's broken"
A horror that was not entirely due to