The L'Anse sentinel. (L'Anse, L.S., Mich.) 18??-current, 1917-02-24

ment. No more astounding thing
could have happened.
1t was a pity. of course, seeing how
things had turned out. that she left
Malta In such a predicament, but that
could not be helped. This present dis
covery transcribed In Importance ev-
cry personal consideration. Moreover.
even If Najlas powers failed and Hong
Kong Harry attempted to escape. the
sound of a pistol shot would not only
bring plenty of help, but send score
of detectives securing the lawn and
shrubbery surrounding the house.
But May did not devote much thought
to her friends difficulties. The impor-
tant thing now was TO hear without be
ing seen and then steal away as quiet
| ly as she came.
| She soon picked up the DRIFT OF the
| talk between the two men. All Singh,
| of course. had called on the inventor
! In an assumed name and evidently fig
ured as a very important person, prob
| ably representing himself rs the pur-
| chasing agent Of some eastern govern.
ment She gathered that he was pur-
| JUSTLY MI sNhlitbs'h sNi
| entific ideas, and 1t soon became ap-
| parent that the other man was putty
I'm his hands, since he defended the air
| lock principle with more vehemence
| than discretion, and went so fully into
details of an intricate subject that the
listening girl could not follow him
at all.
But her nimble intellect appreciated
the real purport of this talk al d sensed
| its great danger. Ali Singh was pump
ing Smithson dry and thereby obtain
ing facts which should certainly not
lie made known 10 any one This was
bad enough. An unforeseen develop
ment which arose suddenly was far
| worse.
I'm tell you what I'll do with you"
cried Smithson heatedly. after Ali
Singh had politely but firmly negatived
some theory voiced by the inventor.
I'm take you to the navy yard and
show you the principle actually In op-
Grafton! Seeing is believing. isn't it,
Not always was the smooth an
swer. II shall be delighted TO accom-
pany you. Mr.. Smithson. but ] warn
you now that you will find me very
awkward person TO convince. You see,
every navy owns its own pet baby in
the air lock. but no one has yet sue
ceeded In perfecting device which en-
ables the crew Of submarine TO leave
the vessel and rise to the surface when
from one cause or another she Is dis.
abled and sinks"
"Confound YOU" stormed Smithson.
II tell you I've done 1t! Can you
swimy'
"Oh, yes"
Very well, then. II you have pluck
enough to obey my Instructions you
will bob up to the surface like cork
within few yards of the quay along
side which the vessel will be submerg-
ed. or course the depth will not be
great, but you surely can see that the
principle is the same whether you are
beneath twenty feet Of water or 200"
IL concede nothing" said Ali Singh
quietly. IL must be thoroughly con-
vinced, Mr.. Snithson. both personally
and by the reports Of two Of my as.
sistants who will oome with me. but
who need not make the descent on the
first occasion, as l fully recognize that
you will not care to throw open your
secrets TO promlscuous inspection"
"Oh, want to be aboveboard I'm
every respect cried Smithson. at
has always been well understood by
the naval authorities that I must be
free TO exhibit my invention. Our navy
| n linn,
about for the next twenty years IL !
didn't stir them into competition by
arousing the fear that | may sell to
some foreign power. You quite under.
stand. Mr.. MaZnan, that. though shall
show you my air lock In operation and
absolutely prove its efficiency and sim.
plicity. I'll not tell you how 1t is done
That will only be revealed to the gov.
eminent which purchases the rights In
my invention"
"You have only to convince me. Mr.
Smithson," conceded All Singh Cru.
ciously. "After that negotiations will
be carried on in a businesslike way"
! Come along. thenl Why waste
timer" said Smithson.
To Mays horror the two men rose
, and evidently intended leaving the
room by the very door behind which
, she was hiding. But her eyes had
been busy as well as her ears. and she
had noticed a couple of closets In the
, hall. One Of these was evidently q
repository for coats and hats and
might well be visited by any one de
parting from the house. So she chose
the other and was overjoyed on hear
, ing All Singh and his host taking hats
and umbrellas from the neighbonns
4 | closet