The Carlisle independent., 1917-06-07

your SeTN1CeS III CIllS DlaCIeF Will not De | forgotten. I only wish that you had met with better success, for if there was | ever a time in our history when we l stood in need of such weapon as this invention of Doctor Burke would place in our hands, it is now. I will be frank with you, Mir. Hope. The | nation finds itself today in a grave, not to say perilous, situation. A for eign power, whose name there is no need to mention, taking advantage of the Mexican imbroglio, has presented to this government certain demands which are, to all intents and purposes, an ultimatum. Our national honor will not permit us to agree to these de- mands, which are humiliating in the extreme, yet to enter into war with a frst-class power at the present time, with our navy sadly deficient in ships and men and our army engaged in Mexico, would only invite disaster. The only thing that would save the situation for us would be the discov- cry of Doctor Burke's invention. With such a weapon in our hands, the safe ty of our coasts and harbors would be virtually assured, for under such circumstances. I doubt if any power would expose it's navy to the risk of destruction by attacking us. You see, therefore, how much depends on find ing this formula. Now that you are acquainted with the situation that con- fronts us, are you still of the opinion that it is useless to continue the search ?"
 s'The formula has not been de- stroyed," said Hope. 'At least we have no reason to believe that it has. And as long as it is in existence there is always a chance, even though a very slim one, of it's being found"
 "Are you willing to resume the search?" asked the chairman. "I am not giving you an order, Lieutenant Hope-I am asking you a question"
 Hope rose and saluted. with your permission, sir,' he said briefly, T will start for the coast tonight" Though Hope had received no an swer to the wire which he had sent Cleo from New York, informing her that he had broken his engagement to Inez Machin and that he was return ing to California to marry her, he con- jeetured that the message might have been delayed in reaching her. Within an hour after his arrival in San Francisco he was crossing the bay by ferry to Valdavia. Never had the California sky seemed so blue; never had the flowers seemed so fragrant; attractive Yet as he drew nearer to the little house there was in it's appearance something which brought sudden chill to his heart. The shutters were closed the walk was overgrown with weeds; the lawn, in whose appearance Hook had taken such pride, had not been cut for weeks. Swinging open the oldfashioned, creaking gate, over which he and Cleo had leaned so often, he hastened up the graveled path and rapped loudly at the door. There was no answer He rapped again; then tried the door, but it was locked. The house was deserted. His eye was caught by slip of yellow paper which had evidently been pushed under the door. He drew it out. It was a notice from the tele- graph company that a message was be- ing held at the office for Miss Burke, as there was no one to accept de- livery. That explained at least, why he had received no answer to his wire.
 He hurried to the nearest neigh bor's.
 Gan you tell me where Miss Burke has gone?" he asked the woman who answered the bell.
 q haven't the least idea" she an swered. q saw her leaving the house early one morning. She was dressed for travelling and that old sailor, Hook, who was with her, was carrying her bag"
 "When was that?"
 "Let me see," said the woman. "I think 1t must have been couple of weeks ago yes, 1t was two weeks ago yesterday. I remember, because that same afternoon another gentleman was here asking for Miss Burke"
 "Another gentleman?" echoed Hope. "Who was he? What did he look likeT'
 'He was a lawyer, I think" said the woman. 'He said that he had come all the way from New York to see Miss Burke and that he had very important news for her, and that, if learned where she had gone, I was to let him know at once. He left his card with me, so I would know where to reach him. I'll get it for you"
 She disappeared to return in mo- ment with a card on which was en- graved:
 H. Chalmers Johnstone
 TOMBSTONE, ROWLING q JoHN-
 orAAE