Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1917-01-26

turning to the colonel who was amused
and not offended. what is t-this Ma
tlonal Preparedness committee, and
where is 1t h-at?'
There was something about Adams
which commanded their interest.
I'm just an o-ordinary tom-fool guy
thinking about joining the army and
you got me a-all excited about this
preparedness business" stammered he,
looking from one to the other.
A pleasant light shown in the col
onel's eyes and he acknowledged
Adams with a courtly inclination of
his head. quite propah, son, quite
propah, 1t affords me great pleasure
TO respond to youah request. The Ma
tional Preparedness committee is
made up OF distinguished men from
the halls Of national legislation-l re-
fer to our senate and our house Of
representatives. This committee is
preparing, or supposed to be prepar-
ing, n budget containing an inventory,
II you know what that means. sub, of
our national resources. 1t will be u
very valuable document we hope, sub,
indeed, If it is evan completed, Sena-
tor Warfield Is in charge"
. Adams listened intently to every
word. There was a momentary hush.
'Thank you," he said presently.
With an awkward bow he went back
to his seat at the little green table.
The ~bystanders followed him with
Quizzical expressions. Then someone
bought a drink, the colonel resumed
his discourse, and he was forgotten.
Adams continued to ignore the pres
ence Of Toxic. He placed an elbow
on the table and resting his chin In
the palm Of one hand began to make
lead pencil marks OF n sheet Of paper.
He appeared to Toxic to be working
out some intricate mental problem.
Ten minutes passed when Adams rose
and disappeared in the real Of the
room leaving his upaid drink check
and the vallse behind him.
Toxic fastened his eyes upon the
valise and the paper. He picked up
the latter and c%uriously inspected the
pencil scrawls which were meaning
less to him. He glanced about expect
ing Adams to return at n Then
the entrance of n number of gentle
men attracted his momentary gaze.
They were looking for a vacant table.
Toxic, In his capacity In the Dare
household, had served many Of the
celebrities Of the world during his
long time employment. In each of
these men he saw resemblances to per
sons Of no little Importance. OF one
there could be hardly any doubt that
he and a certain deposed president OF
a South American Republic were
the same. Still another might easily
have passed in stature and manner
ism as the double Of the Spanish pre-
tender. The speech and bearing OF
q third coupled him In Toko's quick
mind with an exilcd war treasurer OF
a powerful foreign country. The re
naming members of the party wer'
Enthusiastically prominent Europeans, II
not noblemen, n E~nglishman and al
Oriental Of his own race.
They clearly showed that they de
sired the table at which he sat ant
after a moments hesitation he tool
up Adams valise and made off In tn
direction of the telephone booth t
communicate with Miss Dare.
The party Immediately grouped
, around the vacated table. One o
, them observed the lead pencil handl
work Of Adams. AS with Toxic, tn
marks meant nothing to him. Blu
/, when he turned his attention to tn
other side of the paper, which Tok'
had not inspected, he smiled faint,
and nodded to each Of his companions
, These words had been written In tn
: Granadian language:
National Preparedness Bulge
Senate Building-t0nlght.'
Under 1t was the silhouette OF
, masked man and this signature:
1.-THE SILENT MENACE"
, The paper was torn into littl
pieces.
: "Shall 1t be Paul Roget, messleurs,
= quietly inquired the Frenchman.
No one demurred. Then began
e pleasant chat concerning the America
e national game of baseball.
a Major Steele Of the Army INTEL
gence bureau In citizen clothes no.
t entered the saloon. Toxic was emeri
ing from the telephone booth. II
y recognized and called the major aside
r Miss Dare, she tell mi you com
e and / 60" He pointed toward tn
rear. adams, he go that way. Mis-
e Dare, she say you know about him.
b The major nodded CURLY.
Let me have that valise. It's hi
isn't itT"
8 "Sure, I take it" grinned Tok
IA l. Al. --alr