The Monticellonian. [volume] (Monticello, Ark.) 1870-1920, 1917-04-19

helm Won. I'll t-tell you where l think
they are"
Pearl became cautious. you'll have
TO see my father about that also, she
replied, Jelly.
He bowed and instead of continuing
on to the shelter abruptly disappeared
in a clump of bushes.
Without hesitation Pearl followed.
All along he had reminded her OF some
one whom she had seen somewhere.
Now there flashed into her mind that
he must be a member of the foreign
alliance posing as a tramp. Inc
thought that she might be pursuing
danger never occurred to her.
Adams, knowing that he was being
followed, quickened his step, striking
out with strong strides along timber
land road which soon began to WIND
up hill. He started to run and was
quickly out of her sight. Half way TO
the summit he stopped. strainlng ms
ears as if for an expected signal. Then
he dashed across the trail and entered
the woods. When Pearl came up she
paused, bewildered, and went on. she
reached the ridge just as dawn was
streaking the horizon.
Below lay a sheet of water on which
not ripple moved. To her right on a
bluff was curious looking shack
from which ran many wires to tall
pole with cross-arms. She had seen
wireless station before and instantly
recognized this as one. She APP
preached it noiselessly and finding the
door partly open looked in.
At first she saw nothing. Then sud
denly upon the inner wall flashed
shadow which deepened into the sill
houette of a man whose features were
masked. In one hand he held little
round object. His fingers pressed it.
A lid flew open. 1t was a locket. In
the other hand was what appeared to
be an envelope.
This now happened: The shadow
opened the locket and took from it two
disks which he slipped into the en-
yelope through slit at one edge.
Then the shadow became a blur
against the wall and at the same time
Pearl heard footsteps, a muttered for
eign oath and seurry of feet. She
wheeled about. In her direct gaze was
a relucent moon, its transplendent rays
dazzling her vision.
What happened next will never be
quite clear to her mind. She remem-
bered that she peered about cautious
"; that, catching sight of a muftled
man behind the shack, she requested
him to show himself; that he obeyed
with reluctance, whereupOn she de-
manded the envelope; that he started
to comply with disarming serYiIity.
Then she remembered nothing eX-
eept a swift encounter, a struggle for
the envelope on the edge of the bluff,
the sensation accompanying a seem
ingly never-ending drop through space
and plunge into deep water.
She had hazy recollection of re-
assuring answer to her screams for as
sistanee just before her body struck
the surface of the stream; while i'm
mersed of seeing the muftler still upon
the face of her antagonist; and the
presence of a third person swimming
furiously toward her.
She was prone on the shore when
she revived. Toxic was rubbing her
vigorously.
Great joy appeared on Tokos face
when she opened her eyes. He was
dripping wet, too. The sight of him
relieved her.
Did you see him? Was it you who
saved meg"
yes replied Toxic, still rubbing,
81 follow you. He get away"
She leaped to her feet. I'VE must
find him, Toxic! He isis great
criminal He possesses a priceless
military secret! I saw it! 1 had it
in my hands Which way did he go?'
II didn't know exclaimed Toxic
with regret and concern. Il show
you"
They hurried along the shore.
"Ah - exclaimed Toxic after some
minutes of fast running. He stopped,
pointing to a muffler in the sand. She
picked 1t up as they ran.
A few minutes later they again
stopped, seeing a figure seated upon a
rock just ahead. It was Adams.
They crept close behind him. who
unaware of discovery was closely ex.
aiming a sheet of parchmentlike pa.
per about thirteen inches square.
Tt was the plan of military weakness
and defense of the canal Nor was
the sketch now invisible. The water
had dissolved the chemical disks re
vealing the hidden secret.
Quick rs flash both Pearl ant
Toxic leaped upon Adams.
"You are the leader of the foreign
alliance!" she painted as they wen
down, struggling. you are the 81
lent Menacer'
(FND OF EPISODE THREE)