Meade County news., 1917-10-18

strength of q contract signed by a
high official of one Of the European
governments, yet the responsibility of
payment rests upon myself and few
intimate friends. If the Indian Chief
safely discharges this cargo, within a
designated time, at certain port, or
contingent thereto, I shall make for
tune, and retain my honor as a mer-
chant. If not, then am ruined man,
Mr.. Hollis, and my reputation is gone
also"
"What port?"
Hamburg"
leaned forward, deeply interested
by now in his unusual story.
"Then l presume your cargo Is large
ly munitions of WARP"
"Of that nature-yes."
"From what port did you sail?"
Baltimore, July Goth; we were held
back within the capes for two days
by severe Storm"
"Then you have not heard Of the
declarations of war in Europe?"
His eyes widened, his pale face
grew winter than ever.
"War in Europe; already declared !"
he exclaimed 'Is that actually true?
We carry no wireless, and have spoken
with no vessel since we left the Chesa-
peake. What nations are at war;"
"The last message we received on
the Esmeralda was that Germany and
Austria were already pitted against
France, Russia and England. The Ger
man troops had invaded Belgium in an
effort to reach Paris. The night before
our accident a great British battleship,
racing toward New York, passed us.
She was under orders to bottle up the
German liners. May see your mani
fest?"
He took the list from an inner
drawer, and handed it over to me with
out a word, evidently stunned by this
unexpected news, and unable to speak.
1 turned the typewriter pages slowly,
glancing quietly over the various items.
They were astounding.
"Why, really, 1 can hardly credit my
own eyes," exclaimed. 'You tell me
these goods were actually contracted
ror by the German government agent
in the open market?'
mot exactly in the open market, Mr..
Hollis. 1t was all accomplished in my
name; alone am known in the trans
action. Certain intimate personal
relations won me the contract, my
mother; being a relative of h high Off.
cial. The negotiations were conducted
secretly" l. g.: '''
81 should suppose so vet such ppr-
chases would look as though war had
been anticipated"
I arose to my feet, walked across to
the port, and stared out into the thick
ening mist Overhanging the water. The
man did not move or speak, and
turned again to find him with head
buried in his arms on the desk. His
attitude Of complete despair was full
of pathetic appeal.
II am no international lawyer" I
said gravely, "but there is scarcely an
item on that manifest which is not
contraband of war. The getting Of this
cargo into Hamburg, or any other port
of Germany now, will be almost i'm
possible-a mere gamblers chance.
English and French vessels are no
doubt gathering along the coast like
birds of prey"
"Tbe German navy is strong"
"Yes; but not strong enough to cope
with both Great Britain and France.
For a while, however, they may sue
ceed in keeping open passage through
the North sea. That would be your
only hope, for the English channel will
be closed already. The Indian Chief
sails under the United States flagT
ayes"
tThat might prevent a search, pro-
viding you had a good explanation
ready, especially as you left port be-
fore war was declared. However, spies
are everywhere, and the nature of the
cargo aboard may be known. If so,
every cruiser on watch has already
been notified by wireless"
He arose to his feet facing me, his
slender hands opening and closing
nervously, his face white and drawn.
81 realize all this, Captain Hollis"
he said, his voice trembling, "and also
that there still remains n chance of
success. / like your face, your man
ner of fronting things. l think you are
the very man whom God has sent to
me in this emergency. Listen: tell
you l am absolutely ruined unless
l complete this voyage. 1 am young
man, not over thirty, but my health is
gone. You can see am practically a
physical wreck, yet am the only sup
port of an aged mother and three
younger children. Two years ago no
one had brighter prospects in life than
I; now an struggling desperately for
mere existence. A little more than a
year ago met with a serious accident;
1 need not go into details-the result
you can see ": looking at me-. For