Macon beacon., 1917-04-13

"PearI, My Love!"
convey them to the commandant at the
canal l knew that secret meeting of
the general army stan had been called
that day. | did not know. nor did Miss
Dare that Colonel Dare. Major Brent
and Captain Payne had been called to
that meeting. nor did either OF us know
that they were In Washington There
fore, when | saw tho captain come from
tho war office my suspicious were imme-
diately aroused. They were deepcned
when my eve noted. while he stood by
the automobile chatting with Miss Dare,
that the left shoulder strap did not cor
respond with the right shoulder strap,
1t stood higher on the shoulder and
seemed to bulge trnc. Closer observa-
tion proved that 1t had recently been re-
moved and replaced by someone not q
tailor.
Then saw the locket dangling on his
watch chain. 1t was brand new. Know
ing that Captain Payne would wear no
locket that had not been presented to
him by Miss Dare and seeing her eyes
suspiciously cast upon It. l inferred that
here was the hiding place OF the waters.
But | did not know these things to be
Ae1NS "btll L HdHltUou W lHb ItOleI VIII
ton and through valet in my employ
gained entrance to the captains rooms,
opened his luggage. took out his private
stationery and, initiating his handwriting,
left the note of warning as a bait.
The bait took, Monsieur Adams. I,
myself, hidden In an adjoining room,
heard Captain Payne telephone to tho
war secretary that someone had leaked,
proving to me that my calculations and
intuitlons were correct
The rest was very simple. had
handled the captains clothes too often
not to be aware OF the size OF his coat
To procure n duplicate was an easy mat
ter-and also a duplicate locket. The
valet sewed the newspaper under the left
shoulder strap In the substitute coat and
cleyerly left this coat on the tree taking
Captain Payne's In exchange. under his
very eyes, when he returned the captains
evening clothes from tho pressing room.
The substitute locket was In the substi-
tute coat when the valet hung It on the
clothes tree. Payne had thrown his watch
and chain In the bureau, having detached
and concealed the locket containing the
waters in side pocket OF his coat In ac-
cordance with directions which had
heard discussed privately between Colonel
Dare and Major Brent.
1t will be recalled that on leaving his
room In the Wilton. Payne examined the
coat on the tree pInchIng the paper con-
cealed under the left shoulder strap so
that secret service men stationed across
tho street might see this action. He also
took the locket out OF the pocket and held
1t in the light. This, too they saw.
Had Captain Payne opened and exam
mend the locket the success OF my rusa
might not have been 30 simply accom-
pllshed. For It was, OF course, empty.
He did not do this, however.
Thus were the Canal Defense plans and
the waters necessary to interpret them
stolen, Monsieur Adams.
Now, as to Miss Bertha Bonn. | had
never heard Of her before that night. but
a message from her to Major Brent re-
ceived during the dinner at the Dares
slipped out OF the majors pocket during
the ride to the Granadlan embassy ball
and fell unwlttlngly into my hands
saw Miss Bonn Mt the ball several min
utes before | murdered the Granadlan
ambassador when he was about TO weak
en- In our plot and expose It. | observed
that she wore locket similar to the
one containing the chemical waters On
one occasion she opened It and | caught
sight OF Major Brent's miniature and the
inscription thereupon proclaiming her to
be his wife. This gave me an Inspiration.
Desiring to draw another high army Of
hcer In my power and needing an ennis
sary to convey the defense plans and the
waters to the Granadian bor-
der to Bolero. the revolutlonist In our
employ, I effected the transfer OF the
ockets In Miss Bonn's hotel apartment
and left the packet containing the plans
n her suitcase with the assistance OF the
valet, while she was absent from tho
room in quest Of a newspaper containing
he first accounts of the ambassadors
suicide
Tho Granadian ambassador died from
he effects OF a powder which I dissolved
n glass OF water. wrote the note found
lnder his dead hand addressed TO Captain
Payne.
l impersonated myself on the night tho
lrmy mobilization data was stolen from
he secretary OF war. I think you knew
hat
And now, Monsieur Adams, take leave
# you. never to return For having
allied, my life is worthless TO the cause
o which 1t has been dedicated. Why
ihould 1 tell you who I am or even in
Innate sphere OF existence other than
he lonely chauffeur occupied?
With you 1t IL different You can now
lrop the name Of Adams. monsieur and
Issume your own. Captain Ralph Payne!
AS Lawyer Balnbridge finished.
hadow darkened the doorway. Every
ne rose. Pearl advanced with eyes
right and arms outstretched.
Stiffening In the doorway at atten-
ion, his heels clicked sharply together.
nd facing Colonel Dare. the figure
poke.
Il have the honor to report for duty.
lr," said the colonels orderly.
Then he turned hesitatingly to
earl. Both were pale and trembling.
Captain Payne!" she murmured.
mid the stiffness, flying into his arms.
Pearl" he whispered, gathering her
n a tight embrace. Pearl Of the
.rmy and my life forever" I"
(THE END1