The Washington times., 1917-08-06
HCTANER The e. IN Mqn a. ! Fish list
"The UnknOun" Delivers a Message
for the World Congress

Sainte Claire touched his arm and
said gravely.
"Commandant, IL this is from the
Unknown, 1t must be a secret mes
sage to which we have no right until
the congress sees Mt to divulge It"
THAT 1t true"
Without reading the message. he
sheet. In great letters lay the terri
BILE signature.
"The Unknown"
Without a word the commandant
folded up the cloth. and rolled 1t in
its tarred covering.
A few moments later the Mysterious
package was locked and sealed in a
sailors knapsack for Ciseret and
Sainte Claire, in the presence of First
Mate Matthew and two sailors.
The knacksack was placed on deck
under a special guard of two sailors,
and the Cyclone started for Marseilles
at full speed.
1t was nearly noon when the Gy-
clone came alongside the quay Of
Vieux-Port.
The World Congress was about to
adjourn its morning session. with n
two-hour recess for luncheon.
But the delegates to the Worlds
NOhBIGSS ulu nOL Nndl uhg
NJ. Sergius White, president of the
congress, was about to adjourn tie
meeting in the grand hall Of the Fall
ace of Longchamps, when a loor-
keeper went up the steps to the plat
form, and whispered something in his
ear.
NJ. White looked surprised. then
changed color and rose abruptly.
Waving his arms, he rang his CHAR
mans bell. and in the utter silence
which followed, he said:
Gentlemen, the meeting will u't i'd
jcurn. The Unknown has sent US a
message"
There was amazement, then an up
roar. At last here was something def
mite.
men could breathe freely once more!
A message from the Unknown!
What would come OF Il?
Whatever II was, II would be better
than the agonizing uncertainty in
which this handful OF men were about
to decide the destinies of the worlI.
When the gradually diminishing
thunder of applause had ended, a
voice arose.
Where is the message?"
The president indicated a young ma
rine officer who had just entered.
a round of applause and loud cheers
greeted the lieutenant.
Followed by Admiral Germinet, who
had undertaken to accompany him,
Mr.. de Ciserat went to the presidents
chair and placed a sailors knapsack
| with large red seals upon the desk.
ION the platform! The officer! On
the PLATFORM" cried voices from all
| partS of the great hall
Let him tell us how he got the mes
sagew
"Yes, Yes, Let him tell The Of
ficer to the rostrum!-
The president looked questionabIy
at Admiral Garminet. who nodded MS
consent He said a few woEds to the
commandant OF the Cyclone, they
smiled and turned toward the dele
gates.
Then NJ. White rang his bell. A
doorkeeper conducted NJ. de Ciserat 70
the platform, and very self-contained
in the grim silence which followed
he related his mornings adventure,
step by step.
Then he stepped down. amid the ap-
plause OF the delegates and went into
the space reserved for army and navy
officers
The uproar hogan again.
"The message! Read the message"
This time the president foTebore to
ring his bell. His eyes followed the
,doorkeeper's right hand. which was
cutting the cords tying the KNAPP
sack. When 1t was finished the presi-
dent thrust in his hand and brought
forth a small roll OF white IiEen.
Then the delegates seated them
selves with one accord and absolute
stiffness filled the great room
The presidents every move was fol-
lowed by each eye. Standing above
them, NJ. White unrolled the linen.
The sight of the red letters recalled
that other message in Latin which a
fisherman has found fastened to a
buoy in San Francisco Bay
II was a moment for great emo
tions
Below tho delegates. rigid in their
chairs. waited. anxious and wan. with
eyes riveted to the white canvas rec
tanCle.
Above. the president stood. most
terribly pale. holding in his hands
the dazzling white piece OF cloth
One could have heard a pin drop in
the great smphitheater.
To De Continued Tomorrow