Western liberal. (Lordsburg, N.M.) 1887-1919, 1917-11-09

"Pearl, My Lowell"
convey them to the commandant at the
I knew hat a secret meeting OF
the general army stan had been cSllet
that day. 1 did not know, nor did Mist
Dare that Colonel Dare, Major Brent
n Captain Payne had been called to
that meeting, nor did either OF us kndw
that they we're in Washington. There
fore, when I saw the captain come from
the war office my suspicious were imnie-
dlately aroused. They were deepened
when my eye 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.
II stood higher on the shoulder and
seemed to bulge a trife. Closer observa-
ton proved that II had recently been re-
moved and replaced by someone not q
tailor.
Then I 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 Il, / inferred that
here was the hiding place OF the waters
But I did not know these things to b
facts when I FASTENED to the Hotel Will
ton and through a 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. 1,
myself. hidden in an adjoining room,
heard Captain Payne telephone to the
war secretary that someone had leaked,
proving to me that my calculations and
intuitlons were correct.
The rest was very simple. I had
handled the captains clothes too often
not to be aware OF the size of his coat.
To procure a 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
Captain Payne's in exchange, under his
very eyes, when he returned the captains
evening clothes from the pressing room.
The substitute locket was in the substi-
tute coat when the valet hung It on tho
clothes tree. Payne had thrown his watch
and chain in the bureau. having detached
and concealed the locket containing the
waters in a side pocket of his coat in nc
cordance with directions which l 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-
that secret service men stationed across
the 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 ruse
might not nav been so simply accom-
plished. For II was. OF course, empty.
He did not do this, however.
Thu were the Canal Defense plans and
the waters necessary to interpret them
stolen. Monsieur Adams.
Now, as to Miss Bertha Bonn, I had
$500 80 - - E.E.a- 49, -H-LN L.N
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 Granadian embassy ball
and fell unwittingly into my hands. l
saw Miss Bonn at the ball several min
utes before I murdered the Granadian
ambassador when he was about to weak
en- in our plot and expose II. 1 observed
that she wore a locket similar TO the
one containing the chemical waters. On
one occasion she opened Il and l caught
sight OF Major Brent's miniature and the
inscription thereupon proclalming her 20
be his wife. This gave me an inspiration.
Desiring 70 draw another high army Of
hcer In my power ana needing an ennis
sary TO convey the defense plans and the
chemical waters 70 the Granadlan Dor
der to Bolero, tho revolutionist In OUT
employ, I effected the transfer OF the
lockets in Miss Bonn's hotel apartment
and left the packet containing the plans
In her suitcase with the assistance of the
valet, while she was absent from the
room in quest OF a newspaper containing
the first accounts OF the ambasgadOr's
supposed suicide.
The Granadian ambassador died from
the effects OF a powder which 1 dissolved
in q glass OF water. I wrote the note found
undor his dead hand addressed to Captain
Payne.
l im~personated myself on the night the
army mobilization data was stolen from
the secretary OF war. I think you knew
that.
And now, Monsieur Adams, I take leave
OF you. never to return. For having
failed. my life Is worthless TO the cause
to which II has been dedicated. Why
should I tell you who I am or even in
innate a sphere OF existence other han
the lonely chauffeur occupied2
With you II 10 different. You can now
drop the name OF Adams. monsieur. and
assume your own, Captain Ralph Payne
As Lawyer cambridge finished, a
shadow darkened the doorway. Every
one rose. Pearl advanced with eyes
bright and arms outstretched.
Sufening in the doorway at atten.
ton, his heels clicked sharply together,
and facing Colonel Dare, the figure
spoke.
II have the honor to report for duty,
sir" said the colonel's orderly.
Then he turned hesltatlngly to
Pearl. Both were pale and trembling.
Captain Paynel" she murmuredI
amid the stiffness, flying into his erms.
"Pearl," he whispered, gathering her
In a tight embrace. pearl OF the
Army aud my life foreverl"
fTIW NINA