The Monticellonian. [volume] (Monticello, Ark.) 1870-1920, 1917-06-14
by the music and the mssQuerader con-
tinued his search.


called into Colonel Dare's study. The
conference was ready to be adjourned.
The tentative mobilization plans had
been completed and statement Tor
the newspapers was ready. 1t was, OF
course. in abbreviated form and intend
ed wholly-and so wofded-to satisfy
an inquisitive public, Withholding any
discouraging facts on the unprepared-
ness question. These latter were drawn
in memoranda form in lead pencil on
sheets of paper which the secretary of
war placed in his portfolio along with
the data from which the compilation
was made.
well, Major Brent, our evenings
task is ended" announced Colonel
Dare, rising and stretching himself.
And with a humorous twist of the
tongue: HAS that there Silent Men
ace, as Orderly Adams speaks of our
silent foe, put in an appearance to-
aight?"
Brent smiled and shook his head.
Kindly send this statement to the
newspaper men, Brent" interposed the
secretary of war. He handed the long
waited-for interview" to the dapper
officer.
where is Adams?" the colonel in
CURED, for that was his duty, not
Brent's.
"Gone to the barracks, sir" replied
Brent, easily. II took the liberty of
using him on a matter for one of the
ladies'"
The colonel signified no objections
and turned with a smile to his daugh-
ter and Bertha, who looked in from the
doorway. And a pleasant social chat
ensued.
Brent slipped out of the room and
sent messenger with the statement to
the newspaper men. In the hall he ran
into the man presumed to be Toxic and
was about to stop him when the fellow
disclosed Bertha Bonn's locket and
placed it in the palm of Brent's hand.
At that moment Colonel Dare, seeing
the chauffeur's back, called out: 1.-The
car, Tokol We will all take ride and
get breath of air"
The masquerader, grinning at Brent,
fastened to the garage and in due time
the whole party was driving downward.
The chief of staff, Colonel Dare and
the major sat behind with the ladies.
The secretary of war occupied the seat
beside the chauffeur His portfolio
rested on the cushion between them.
In another automobile in front and one
behind were guardsmen.
They dropped the chief of staff off
at his home and later the secretary of
war with the portfolio. The newspa-
per men had driven off in another car.
The soldiers proceeded to the barracks
and the Dare party to the roof garden
of the Wilton for a light supper. At
the hotel entrance they told the chauf-
feur not to leave the car as they eX-
pected to be gone but little while.
But hardly had they entered than
the chauffeur left the car, strolled
across the street and entered Sho-
macher's saloon. At one of the green
tables in the rear a party of foreign
ers were seated. The chauffeur passed
quite close to the table. In fact he
brushed against one of the men, apollo
gized and STOPPING, picked portfolio
from the floor and handed 1t to hin
with bow.
you dropped this-I beg pardon!"
The foreigner accepted the portfoD
and the chauffeur disappeared.
This portfolio" murmured the ga
tleman in question to his companies,
speaking in Russian, contains the Sc
rotary of wars data on the questiopof
the country's preparedness to meethe
presidents call for n million yoln-
teers-thanks to the Silent Menace.
He raised his glass to his lips. "A
toast" he suggested merrily. The tn
ers followed suit. America Prepae !"
When the Dare party returned tthe
automobile Toxic was missing and tier
waiting and specializing among tenn
selves awhile, Pearl took the weel,
for they were anxious to get home She
drove straight into the garage onheir
arrival.
Here they heard groans and prsent
ly found the sentry tied to tn, rear
axle of the limousine. He was i'm bad
way from the effects of his bons and
also the liquor he had consume and
they could get nothing out of hin.
'Toko!' called Pearl up theytairs.
"Toko!"
More groans were now hear from
within the limousine tonneau. Brent
Ioopad tn tho limousine daor amt hrpv
1t wide open, starting back withmoth-
cred EXPLANATIONS. On the floe hud-
died together, their scalps beding,
We're the unconscious forms { Toxic
and Adams.
Colonel Dare!' cried a voic in the
doorway of the garage. The. turned T
and saw the secretary of wa in his |
own runabout with two other utomo- T
biles containing soldiers in te drive
behind him. "Your chauffeur-Toko-
the mobilization data-my pGfolio-
it's gone! He left this behinl" And
he held up q portfolio of like ize and
leather.
That night knock fell Oh Brent's
bedroom door and Adams Omitted
himself.
Brent Ieaped out of bed win loud
oath. But Adams held up is hand
and ordered him to get back bed.
You g-got the locket dn't you,
Major?" he asked, quietly.
yes, damn you, Adams =!
Let me have it :"
Brent threw II at him.