The L'Anse sentinel. (L'Anse, L.S., Mich.) 18??-current, 1917-01-20


oil day and far into the night.
1t took Manning fully two hours to
reach Fort Wadsworth. Once arrived
there. however, he was soon closeted
with Captain Randolph. one of the
most capable Of the younger school
OF American army officers whose work
has won the golden opinions of every
experienced soldier In the world. Ran
dolph was concerned. though not seri-
ously alarmed. when he read the tele-
| gram.
I'VE may as well be candid about
this matter" he said. "Our coast de-
lenses would hardly amount to a row
OF beans against modern guns. Many
| OF our forts are mere death traps. In
| fact. II the war department begins at
once to put our defenses In order this
| very plan which has been stolen would
be the most misleading thing that
could fall into the hands of the en-
envy"
"But there is a very serious side to
It," said Manning gravely. Whether
useful or not, the plans have been
stolen"
.Oh. yes, that's where the shoe
pinches! 1t isn't pleasant to reflect
that traitors are actively ut work In a
government Office. I'm very glad the
department sent you here today. Man
ming. There Is something else
which suppose ought to tell you"
| Randolph rose from the Office chair
in which he had been sitting. lighted
n cigar and gazed thoughtfully through
the window at bastion on the oppo-
site side Of the paved courtyard I'm
which his quarters were situated
Manning realized the cause Of the
young officers difficulty
Hold on" he said with a smile
Before you give me your confidence
you ought to see my credentials"
He produced certain letters from
! pocketbook and handed them to the
soldier. After few minutes Of close
scrutiny Randolph turned with an air
of relief and caught Manning by the
shoulder.
why" he cried, you're the very
man ! want. Now. I'll tell you some
thing really worth while. and you will
understand just why the war depart
ment sent you here have nearly
perfected new disappearing gun with
an effective range of twenty four
miles. A working model is housed I'm
that very bastion across the way. but
my drawings and specifications are I'm
an office on the eighteenth floor Of the
Chemical building in New York. If
those plans were stolen, Manning.
there would be something doingr'
| This information was startling in
deed. Manning Mt once gave his as
tonished nearer fairly comprehen-
sive resume of Ali Singh's activities.
They discussed ways and means for
time. Then Randolph took his new
friend to the bastion. unlocked a closed
easement and showed him model of
the gun.
Subsequently the two went to New
York and overhauled Captain Ran
dolph's Offices in the Chemical build
ing. The drawings of the gun were
kept I'm safe when not in use. and
three doors with excellent locks would
have TO he forced before thief could
even begin the slow and difficult task
Of eating way through steel walls
with high pressure burner.
Still. to make assurance doubly sure
the inventor decided to station an
armed sentry In the hallway between
@ I'm the evening and 0 in the morning
until his secret had passed out of his
own control into the bolted security
Of government arsenal He made
the necessary arrangements by tele.
phone and remained I'm the office until
the first guard was posted by the non.
commissioned officer I'm charge of the
small squad detailed for the duty.
Other matters detained Manning
downtown. 1t was night and bright
moonlight when he felt himself free to
give his chauffeur the gladstone dlrec-
ton, "Home."
Meanwhile there had been consider
able excitement in Riverdale avenue.
Bronson. too. had been kept away from
his sister and the sprightly May good |
deal longer than he anticipated when |
leaving the house. As peace offering |
he called In ut noted candy store and |
bought a big box of chocolates. HI |
mind was running. however. on til,
grave news of the day. and after hous.
ing his small runabout In the garag, |
he actually left the parcel under tho
seat He remembered Il instantly aft.
er being Rugged and reproached by |
two young ladies. who protested tina,
they had been quite unable to eat ever
their own share Of a dinner provided
for four.
Gee" he cried. making Off I'm hur-
~, III haven't got head like time
baflw
"why time ball. willardr shrilled
May.
Because II works only once a day"
he shouted over his shoulder.
Nevertheless that head of his was
sufficiently active to note that the door
OF the garage was slightly ajar. where
as he had certainly closed II after put
ting the car In It's corner. He switch
ed the light on and glanced around
with alert eyes.
The garage was empty. however. II
was large. square building. equipped
with three pits and number Of cup.
boards. but these latter could not pos