Macon beacon., 1917-02-09

Granadian rifle more steady than the
rest struck the aviator, wounding him
morfally. The machine glided to the
ground and its occupant lunged out of
the seat in a dying condition.
Pearl came running mp from behind
some boulders, She did not hesitate.
Adams knew that she was an accom-
pliShed tlier and when he saw her
quickly don the dead mans goggles
and ear-muhlers and invest herself in
his coat her intentions needed no ex-
plantations to him
Showing himself to her for the first
time, he grasped the unexpected
chance and gave the machine push
lnvoluntarily Pearl opened the levers
and started the engine. In another mo-
ment she was soaring toward the
American border.
Alone for the moment in region
infested with the lurking and rapa.
cious border foe. Adams now did sew
eral queer things. From among the
apparel of dead Granadians strewn
about he collected n wardrobe and dis
appeared behind some bushes to change
his clothes
There was something startling in
the change when he reappeared.
Armed from the holster OF one of the
dead raiders and drawing the priced
belt little tighter around his waist,
without looking to right or to left, he
skunk out Of view with the air Of
person who knew what he was about,
where he was going and at ease In the
garments he wore.
An hour later after dogged tramp
through changing landscape, he came
upon hut at an abandoned silver
mine. He entered without hesitation.
He swept the spare and dirty interior
with Il cold glance. In corner crouch
ed hag of frightened woman.
Get up" he ordered bluntly. I'm
half starved"
The aged Grnnndian tottcred to her
feet, cringng before master.
Then came another surprise. His
GranadIan was fautlcSs; nor now was
there stammering in his speech.
After breakfast of bacon and cof-
fee, Adams had long talk with the
woman and sent her into another room
commanding her to remain there until
A fA hAr II.
belt when he was sure that he was
alone and unobserved, and opening n
secret compartment behind the buckle
took out the Canal defense plans. He
fell to studying and wondering over
the blank sheet of paper for which
chemicals to render 1t legible were
lacking.
Midday arrived before his solitary
meditations were concluded. During
luncheon he had another long talk
with the woman, the subject OF which
pertained to Bolero, his movements
and the attitude of the people OF that
section toward his ambitions to over
throw the ruling party Of Granada and
seat himself In the presidential chair.
The woman was well informed. Her
shack was In an isolated and sequest-
ed location. 1t was safe place for
personages in any faction besetting
that turbulent country to meet and
hatch political schemes.
She was Castillian. She had been
very beautiful in the gentle days The
noble Diaz of Mexico had often said
so to her.
She told Adams of remote and pic
turesque things, of laces and ruflles,
of loves, of valor; and his volatile i'm
agination dwelt pleasantly In the
courts and gardens Of n ghostly royal
ty, when out Of these stirring shadows
of long ago there loomed upon the
threshold a flesh and blood figure of
today.
Major Brent stood there, his eyes
dilating
Hands up, Orderly Adams!" cried
Brent, covering him. Drop that gun
You have exposed yourself at last and
are under arrest :"
Adams held his nerve. Il may be
under arrest and | w-won't resist YOU"
he said, lowering his weapon; but
I'm n-not going along with you. |
g-guess you're going Ito give me ten
minutes alone, Major Brent And he
indicated to the officer to step inside,
motionlng the woman to retire
Something in the face Of Adams
made Brent consent to that ten min
utes interview. He came in and closed
the door with bang.
whats t-that locket Of Bertha Bonn's
containing your photy w-worth to
your
"What locket-what photograph"
demanded Brent with sudden fear.
"Try that s-stuff out on Miss Dare"
exclaimed Adams, laughing in his face
you can't put 1t o-over on me. g-got
your number, Major Brent. What will
you pay mime Tor ltT
At the expiration Of the ten minute
interview Major Brent left the shack
alone. He carried with him the sup
posed belt of the late Captain Payne
and the priced Canal defense plans
with which Adams had successfully
bartered for his freedom.
Toward nightfall after hard riding