Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1917-03-23

turning otthe colonel who was amused
aud not offended. "What Is t-this Ma
tional Prcparprl"oss committee. and
where II ID a-at:'
There was something about Adams
which commanded their interest.
I'm just nm o-ordinary tom-fOol guy
thinking about Joining the army and'
Won got ne a-all excited about this
preparedness business stammered he.
l~ooiing from one 10 the other.
a pleasant light shown IN the col
oncl's eyes and he acknowledged
Adams with a courtly inclination Of
his head. quite prnpah. son. quite
propah. II affords me great pleasure
10 respond 10 yOuah request. The Ma
tioual Preparedness committee Is
made up vi distinguished men from
the halls M national lcgislation-I re-
fer to our senate and our house Of
representatives. This committee is
preparing. pr supposed % be prepar-
Ing. i budget containing an inventory,
II you know what that means, sub. ~
our national resources. II will be a
very valuable document we hope. sun,
indeed. III I'd ~ cyah completed. Sena-
tor Wuriicid is I'm charge"
Adams listened intcntly 10 every
word. There WAS "A mOmentary hush.
Thank you" ne said presently.
With an awkward bow he went back
w his seat at the little green table.
The %bystandcrs followed him with
quizzicul expressions. Then someone
bought a drink. the colonel resumed
his discourse. and he was forgotten.
Adams continued 90 ignore the pres
cncc of Toxic. lie placed an elbow
ou the table ana resting his chin IN
jhH palm w one hand began tO make
lead pencil mark Un Il sheet NJ paper.
lie appeared to Toxic To ne working
out some intricate mental problem.
Ten minutes PASSED when Adams rose
and disappeared ia the rear M the
room leaving his upaid drink check
ami the yali~e behind him.
Toxic fastened his eyes upon the
vaIiSe ana the paper. he picked up
the lattcr ana c%uriously Inspected the
NN AhNA ENNN HNH LANN"AA MNNN NNNN NN"NHN@
less to him. lie glanced about EXPECT
ing Adams to return at once. Then
the entrance AZ 4 number 1f gentle
men attracted his monyntlry gaze.
They were looking fUr u vacant tauit.
Toxic, I'm hls capacity iu the Dare
household, hal served many 0t tlu
celebrities of thr world during hi-
long time employment. ln each li
;le~c Uen he saw rr~euhlauceS tl nar
sons IVY no little Importance. Di one
I There could Ip hardly amy doubt JIlt
hc ANA n certain dpun~p.I 0 I. ll ol
"a South American Republic Were,
the same. St.il another m -ht easily
have passed ln stature and MANNER
ism as the double of Ihr Spanish pre-
tender. The speech ANA bearing of
w third coupled ulm iu U Ross lIick
mind with uu cX.iyl war treasurer uf
n powerful lurr.- n country. The rr-
manning Members ot thr party We're
lumi~fukahly prominent Europeans, III
lor nohlcmrn. one EnGiishman and an
Oriental of IFS own race.
They clearly Showed That th,y de-
sired thr table ut which hc -at ANA
Ittyr W mlt .ut'~ hesitation nr tuuh
In NHuns' ta.~a aul uaHn oI iu thv
direction of thr telephone booth to
communicate with Miss Dare.
Ihr party immediately grouped
around tLr vacated table. pu. oi
hem observed the lead pencil hands
! work uf Adams. As with TuEu. tIe
! marks meant nothing to him. Iut
when hc turred hi~ Alteration tn thU
other side ol the paper. Which Toxic
dad not Inspected. lr ~m.i.l family
and nodded to each ut hlS companions
These words hud been written .u Jhc
Grauadiau language:
National Preparedness Budget
Senate Building tonight
Under ID was thr silhouette of "a
masked man aud This signature:
THE STINT MENACE"
The paper was torn into little
pieces.
"ShalI III Nv Paul Roget. my--irurS.
quietly inquired thc IrvnrHm.n.
No ono druurred. Then began q
I pleasant chat concerning the American
national game of baseball.
Major Steele of the Army Intelli-
gcnce bureau in citizen clothes now
entered the suloou. Toxic was emery
ing from the telephone booth. IIe
recognized and called the major aside.
Miss Dare. she tell me you come
and / co. lie pointed toward the
rear. adams. he go that way. Miss
Dare. She say you know about him.
Tile major nodded curly.
LET me have that vall>c. It's his.
isn't itF'
"Surc. / take it." grinned Toxic
handing IL tN thc major.