The L'Anse sentinel. (L'Anse, L.S., Mich.) 18??-current, 1917-02-10

Kong Harry reached Manning
ut an opportunc moment. The
government agent was discus
sing the Washington telegram with
the officer in command at the aviation
grounds and cndeavoring to find out
its exact Significance when tele-
phone call from his own house warned
him that All Singh was even then on
the way to carry out a daring scheme
which contemplated nothing less than
the theft of the actual aeroplane itself.
The gray headed major to whom
Manning made known this extraordi-
nary news smiled sarcastically on
hearing it,
why" he said, its just rubbish
to tell me chat few Cinnamon and
laps can pass my sentries, rush the
guard which is always In charge OF
the shed and get away with highly
complex machine like that In question.
Even in these go-ahead days there are
things which prove trifie too hard to
swallow. This is one
Nevertheless. major, you had bet
ter chew on the notion said Manning
pleasantly, knowing full well how diff
ficult 1t is to persuade men long ac-
customed to running in departmental
grooves that civilian intelligence may
occasionally find loophole In the text
books. KNOWING Ali Singh as l do,
l can assure you most earnestly that
the attempt will be made. Moreover,
/, will very nearly succeed. His pro-
ects never underrate the difficulties
ahead. Take 1t from me that he Is
thoroughly well informed as to the
nature and extent of your safeguards
No-let me finish, please because
the major was evidently inclined to
argue, II admit that your men will
shoot any suspicious strangers at sight
but that is exactly what we do not
wish done on this OCCASION
LET me remind you again of Wash
ingtons definite instructions that no
arrests are TO be made. And what
more effectual way Of arresting a man
than shooting him"
II don't quite see what you are driv.
Ing at" said the soldier testify. MY
orders are explicit enough. The ma
chine must be protected at all cost.
My record would be clear II shot q
secretary Of state who tried to enter
the hangar without permission"
Better do that than embroil Wash
ington with some foreign power"
laughed Manning. 1--WE want neither a
court martial nor a judicial inquiry.
This scoundrel, All Singh, and his as
sociates must he got rid of quietly.
Now, 1t would be fine bargain for our
government II the machine were
broken up, provided All Singh went to
pieces with It."
The major stroked his chin thought
fully.
II think get you" he said. 1.-The
loss of one machine won't cripple the
department at oil. In fact. this particu-
lar plane is purely experimental, and
one or two small defects have already
been detected which must be put right
when the new models are built. Just
wait a minute. viii you?"
He dispatched an orderly with mes.
sage, and smart young officer Of the
flying corps was brought in.
What was it you were saying the
other day about the erratic control OF
the stabilizer above 1000 feet. Lieu
tenant Grahamf inquired the major.
The lieutenant darted surprised
look at his chief and highly suspi-
cious one at Manning and Bronson.
even though the strangers were vouch-
cd for by the presence in uniform Of
the chief OF the aviation grounds and
Police Captain Kemp
"Oh, it's MI right" smiled his su-
perior. 'These gentlemen represent
Washington and are here to warn us
that a determined attempt will be
made today to steal our plane"
"Will be made within the hour" cor.
rected Manning gravely.
The lieutenant was evidently sEep-
teal, but contrived to conceal his feel.
ings. his real concern being that the
machines secret devices and defects
should be discussed so openly.
THAT being So" he said quietly, I'm
sorry for any one who goes above 2,00O