Gilpin observer., 1917-01-18

SUCH Ut FanaIna, 10 WnOm the secret
should in all events be made known
without delay or knowledge Of others
than ourselves"
Captain Payne. his eyes bright,
leaped impulsively to his feet. "Gen.
erall" cried he, with animation, II vol
unteer. am now technically on leave.
My going at this time would excite no
suspicion in any quarter; in fact, it
need not be divulged to anyone that
my destination is other than I origin
ally intended 1t should be-"
The general looked fixedly at PAYNE.
Excellent" he exclaimed, with a
pleased smile. The other men nodded
their quick appreciation.
Then began a general discussion of
the whole subject. Several hours la
ter Payne left the room. Colonel Dare
and Major Brent remained behind for
long conference with the staff about
other vital matters on which their ex-
pert views were solicited. In the lin
ing Of Payne's coat, under the left
shoulder strap, the document had been
skillfully sewed, while upon his own
watch chain the locket carelessly dan
gled.
He left the war office outwardly
composed, save for a slight flush upon
his cheeks and an unwonted light in
his eyes. He walked briskly down the
path, marveling at the queer turn of
things, oblivious entirely Of his sur
roundings. At that hour there were
few passersby and all unnecessary
traffic had deserted the streets in the
scorching heat of the sun. Unobserv-
antly he left the sidewalk and started
toward the curb on the other side,
when he was startled out of his
thoughts by the sharp retort Of an au-
tomobile horn. At the same moment
a large touring car coming at high
speed stopped still and he found him
self looking into the surprised counte-
nance Of Pearl Dare.
Exclamations We're mutual, for this
was indeed an unexpected meeting.
"Why, PearlI"
"Of all persons, you, in Washing
toni" The note Of pleasure in her
voice thrilled him, and in answer to
her inQuiring look he started to offer
some explanation, when, for the first
time, he observed her chauffeur. He
was, as usual, Toxic.
Toxic beamed magnificently upon
Payne, who noticed him In friendly
kind Of way while grasping PEARLS
hand.
'Now he protested, when Toxic
opened the door for him to enter the
automobile. "Sorry, I have an imme-
date engagement. When can see
your"
1--WE dine at seven," she replied
simply. II will expect you to come
and be my escort later to a ball at the
embassy"
His eyes sparkled in anticipation
and she gave his firm hand a tight,
quick pressure as, with brilliant
smile, she turned her face away and
Toxic, with keen politeness, bowed and
started off.
This was exactly at 8 Al p. m. by
MS watch. He proceeded on his way
n an elated mood.
He went at once to the railroad sta
ion and engaged his ticket and berth |
o New Orleans, for he had been in
to go to Panama by that |
cute. Taking cab, he stopped sew
,ral minutes at his club, where he dis
patched by messenger an order for
'earps favorite flowers for the eve
ling. Then he started to walk to his
lotel.
He had gone but few blocks when,
n front of cheap lodging house, he
observed an excited crowd in which
we're several officers of the police and
plain clothes men in the federal intel
igence service.
One of these men recognized and |
'an up to him. "Strangest thing that |
ever happened!" the flustered officer
in his ear. "Man layin' up
stairs in this dump same as dead with
paralysis suddenly disappears and no
one knows how or when he went or
With trained nurse at that,
md she's gone, tool"
Anything to do with the war de- |
demanded Payne quickly. |
"Yes," replied the officer in the man
ner of one divulging a secret. Con
lidentially, the secretary himself is
about to be notified"
A look Of quick comprehension
flashed into Payne's face as he hurried
to the Hotel Wilton, just ahead, and
stepped into the elevator. He burst
into his room, closing the door behind
him with bang and approached the
telephone standing on the writing ia
BILE. And now occurred the most
experience of his life. There
beside the telephone lay an envelope.
His own name was written upon 1t. 1t
was unsealed. Picking 1t up, he drew
forth with nervous fingers, sheet Of
~ SYA&