The Monticellonian., 1917-05-31
A Story o Hme,7cu FIfsf," UnmaskiRg AMe17cas Secyef Foes Novekised From rife 1fohon Rietayr Serial of fhe Same Name
 Relea5ed 6y n1the
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The waters i eJaCulated the col I onel, after a nasty examination of the interior of the box.
 Here was a mystery altogether con- fusing and alarming. If Adams was the Silent Menace, why did he send Bertha Bonn to tell him who Pearls captors were?
 Colonel Dare gave the box of wafers to Major Brent. "Guard these until I can take them in person to. the war department" Then he drew the major aside and whispered Get at the bot tom of this Bertha Bonn and Adams matter We'll give her free rein" In the seclusion of the basement stairs the desired opportunity for Brent to question Bertha came.
 What is there between you and Adams?" he whispered, sullenly.
 "A great deal, major," she respond ed, enigmatically. You surely know that-you who are completely in his power p
 Brent shivered. He had felt for q long time that he would eventually be dominated by Adams whether he willed it or not.
 You have revealed our secretw he continued, furiously. You have ruined me"
 "0h, no, major, I haven't ruined you. You are running yourself. Adams did not learn of our relations from me and there is one way to silence him." l about. They were alone. She whis- 1 pered: Let me have those wafers. will return them to Adams. You cannot afford to defy him; nor can l, | just yet" There was an uneasy note in her voice.
 T can't do that, Bertha,n groaned Brent in despairing way. Tt would be traitorous. 1 would be suspected the moment 1 tried to account for the loss."
 "They must be returned to him. Bertha insisted in menacing tones. Il could not do otherwise than deliver them to Colonel Dare, if only to throw suspicion off Adams. But it was not intended that they should remain in his hands"
 Brent guided her deeper into the shadows of the stairs. "I don't un- derstand," he whispered. neryously. There was spark of resentment in his attitude, too. 'I ought to denounce you as an agent of the Foreign Ali ance and the Silent Menace's tool"
 You wont!"
 = or at least be rewarded by you.
 Tn what way? Your miniature in my loeKef, for example?"
 'Yes." duly.
 "Adams has it. Thornton" was the startling information he received.
 'If l refuse to give the wafers up?'
 Without replying Bertha reached in his coat pocket, took the box of waters and hid them in her mesh bag.
 'Tnat settles that" she exclaimed with sigh of relief.
 In another moment she was in her taxi, riding rapidly away.
 Without looking to right or left, Brent went back to Colonel Dare.
 It was now nearly midnight. The colone1's men had searched the chemi- cal building from top to bottom and found nothing disturbed. Colonel Dare went to the war office to report and Major Brent escorted the soldiers back to the barracks to hold himself in readiness for further orders.
 How about the wafers?n Brent ha- Zarded at their parting.
 Keep them, but be on your guard p were the coloneIs instructions. "The Silent Menace no doubt thinks that I have them. Let us see if he shows his hand to either of Us. Bring them to the war office when you are called"
 Brent was hardly able to repress his relieved feelings at that.
 The president called a secret cabi- net meeting at the White House as soon as Colonel Dare's report was de- Iivered to him. Here the colonel nar- rated every detail of what had hap pened.
 "Where did Miss Dare get the wafers? From Adams, do you sup pose?s
 tit9 Mas LAtt QutStAplt ti9FACd ny l4AS harrled president over and over.
 If from Adams, where did he get them?7 was Colonel Dare's counter question. That is, if he is not the Silent Menace"
 Are you sure they are the waters? ?" suddenly Queried the president
 We only suppose that they are the waters we need" replied the colonel, thoughtfully. shall l send for Brent who is guarding them?'
 It WAS so arranged and the presi- dents secretary was dispatched to do the telephoning.
 During the interim, a hush fell up- on the group.
 If every daughter in our American homes was like Mss Dare, remarked the president putting kindly hand on the colonel's shoulder for nc saw how depressed and worn the officer was and di4ined his thoughts; what 6 nation of men we would be- If the man Adams is all l really think him somehow in spite of appearances to be, Miss Dare will be returned to us alive and unharmed. And now" he stopped short. His secretary entered the room all excited.
 Major Brent has been dlucecd and tie wafers stolen from hiIa he an :. 7. .- 1 - o-1>ooo0ooo