Five Mile Beach weekly journal., 1917-05-25


of tidying up the scattered magazines
and folders on the table.
Report for signal duty7" the other
echoed coldly. How did you know l
was to report for signal duty heref"
"In the press a few weeks ago." the
hotel keeper hastily explained, your
transfer from the Nile country was
announced. We poor people here in
Gibraltar, we have so little to think
about, even such small details of
news
"Ah, yes. Quite So" Woodhouse
tapped back a yawn.
Your journey here from your sta
ton on the Melt vas without Incl
dent?" Almer eyed his guest closely.
The latter permitted his eyes to rest
On Almer's for a minute before re-
plying.
Quite Woodhouse threw his Gig
arctic in the fireplace and started for
the stairs.
"Ah, most unusual-such a long jour
ney without incident of any kind In
ILLS llllc VI ull1NClSal wal Will ~
Europe gone mad" Almer was twid
ding the combination of a small safe
set In the wall by the fireplace, and
his chatter seemed only incidental to
the absorbing work he had at hand.
"How will the madness end, Captain
woodhouse? What will be the bound
airy lines of Europe's nations in, say,
1922"
Almer rose as he said this and turn
ed to look squarely into the others
face. Woodhouse met his gaze stead
lily and without betraying the slightest
emotion.
"In 1881 wonder" he unused, and
into his speech unconsciously appear
ed that throaty %intonation Of the Teu-
tonic tongue.
Don't go yet, Captain Woodhouse.
Before you retire l want you to SAM
pie some of this brandy" He brought
out of the safe a short squat bottle
and glasses. "See; l keep 1t in the
safe, so precious it is. Drink with me,
captain, to the monarch you have come
to Gibraltar to serve-to his majesty
King George W"
Almer lifted his glass, but Wood
house appeared wrapped in thought.
His hand did not go up.
81 see you do not drink to that toast,
captain"
"No-I was thinking of 1882"
"So?" Quick as a flash Almer caught
him up. "Then perhaps I had better
say drink to the greatest monarch In
Europe"
ITO the greatest monarch in Eu-
roper Woodhouse lifted his glass and
drained it.
Almer leaned suddenly across the
table and spoke tensely, you have
something maybe-I would like to see
some little relic Of Alexandria, let
us say"
Woodhouse swept a quick glance
around, then reached for the pin in
his tie.
"a scarab; that's all"
In the space of a breath Almer had
seen what lay In the back of the stone
beetle. He gripped Woodhouse's hand
fervently.
Eyes, yes-1932! They have told
me of your coming. A cablegram from
Koch only this afternoon said you
would be on the Princess Mary. The
other, the real Woodhouse-there will
be no slips-he will not
HE is as good as a dead man for
many months" Woodhouse interrupt
ed. "Not a chance Of a mistake" He
slipped easily into German. EVERY
thing depends on us now, Herr Al
mer."
perhaps the fate of our father
land" Amer replied, cleaving to Eng
fish. Woodhouse stepped suddenly
away from the side of the table,
against which he had been leaning,
and his right hand jerked back to a
concealed holster on his hip. His eyes
were hot with suspicion.
you do not answer in German
why not? Answer me in German or
by
Zach! What need to become excit-
ed?" Almer drew back hastily, and his
tongue speedily switched to German.
German is dangerous here on the
Rock, captain, Only yesterday they
shot a man against a wall because he
spoke German too well. Do you Won
der 1 try to forget u native %tongue?"
Woodhouse was Modified, and he
smiled alphabetically. Amer forgave
him out of admiration for his discre-
ton.
mo need to suspect me, Almer.
They will tell you in Berlin how for
twenty years I have served the Will