Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1917-09-04
|y76e WHITE EEHTHER

But have fooled you" crowed Chris.
by CAD, it's n bit of a score, taking you
In as we'll"
what the devil do you mean?"
Look here, I'll tell you all about IT. but
do let me put my hands down. ] snail get
heart disease IL you aren't careful; shail,
really. It's great strain having TO hoid
ones arms up above ones head ike this'
"oh. all right. but keep them away from
your pockets. Now, out with IT,.
WELL" began Brent confdentally, "you
swear you won't say anything about 1t at
breakfast"
GOOD Lord. are you fool or mad?' cried
Charles irritably. mo, l won't say any
thing about it at breakfast Now, go on
you know young Pennicuiks out on the
cliff there? Well. he was Dragging today
about signaling and said didn't believe
he had had time to get the subject up and
SO to prove it l have just sent him a
Message" interrupted Sanderson. "You
understand 1t, then?'
"Of course, don't That's just where
the Joke comes n," explained the delighted
Brent. III only know the first seven letters.
I've sent him a spool signal, but I'll bet
YOU what you like he'll pretend tomorrow
that he understood It," Brcnt's manner
was perfect. His story hung together WE'LL
and Sanderson felt at loss what to be-
lievc.
80 that's the explanation, is it?" he
asked We'll, If I were you I'd think
twice before | played that silly trick again.
In times like this it's liable to be misun-
dorstood It's damned dangerous, in fact"
"pangcrous?" Brents face sobered con.
sidcraby. "How?'
Because I should have been quite within
my duty If Ia shot you straight off witt.
out questioning you It's punishable Of
fense to send signals at night nowadays
That's why.
"By Jove. I suppose it is. But say San
dcrson, what the blaaes are you doing with
that revolver? You seem to have 1t uncom-
monty handy, don't your
"AIy good Brent in my work have to
guard myself against all emergencies re-
piled Charles n trifle stiifly.
"But I'm not an emergency" said the
ingenious Chris plaintively.
"perhaps not" began Charles, but was
interrupted by Brent. who, apparently di-
yerted by catching sight of the box on the
table, was moving toward it.
"IIallo," he asked whats that?"
Keep off It," cried Charles quickly.
'oThat, Brent" he went on in an impress
sive manner. "is the reason why l am
armed"
'''rhe reason why you are armed?" Chris
looked in bewderment from the little box
| to Sanderson and back again, lie then
raised the eyeglass, which was still suspend
ed round his neck, and screwed 1t into his
eve for Il better survey.
at isn't the first time" Charles Informed
him, that one Of these devlish contriv-
ances has found its way into this house"
"Devilish contrivances? What in heav-
ems name are you talking about? That little
box looks very harmless and well mean
ing"
80 do you, for that matter" commented
Charles, not without grmness. MY dear
Brent. the safety or this house has been
threatened by an unknown hand. There S
an Internal machine in this box"
Good God. you don't say So" Chris
backed away from the table, but Sandcrson
went toward it and lifted the lid of the box.
Come and look for yourself he invited
the trembling young man.
40, no, not for the world. For Gods
sake, be careful, Sanderson! The damn