The Washington times., 1917-08-16
(Copyrighted.)
PART ONE-(Continued.)

FAHT ONE-lCOuunueo.l
TIE opened the encounter at once:
IL Monsieur, you have spoken
Of an island where Oxus, Full
= = bert and Hictaner have made
their headquarters. What and where
Is this islsnd?"
II will reveal its name and loca-
ton when the convention has accept
ed my conditions"
what are those conditions?"
II will make them known when you
have finished your questions"
Severac bowed acquiescence.
Monsieur" the President contin-
ued, "you know Hictaner's latest ulti-
hnatum? He aSks for a young girl
named Moisette. whom you have alb
Quoted and -"
!. N. Van Delt checked himself. Here
was the knot of that terrible drama
IN which the destiny of the world
was at stake. Each one felt it.
Severac did not even tremble, but
the delegates, all, with the same me-
chanical movement, bent forward a
little in passionate readiness for the
rest Of the question and the response
Severac might make to It. In the
midst Of the silence Ii. Van Delt said,
seriously now:
you have not spoken of Moisette
nor Of this abduction, Monsieur Sew
Srac.
81 urge you to tell the whole truth
and nothing but the truth.
Have you really carried this young
girl away? Where is she at this mo-
ment?"
Severac did not reply at once. He
looked hxedly at N. Van Delt, then at
all thu da1aCaFaa rrhnRa
riveted upon him.
did take Moisette, gentlemen.
But have no intention Of telling you
where she is hidden. Moisette is
mine, and am watching over her"
severac's Defiance.
He was silent a moment, then slow
~ he went on:
you do not need Moisette's return
to render Hictaner powerless. II will
be enough II you destroy the island,
for that will remove Hictaner's base
Of supplies. His torpedo then will be
q useless engine"
But, monsieur" exclaimed the
president, ''if we restore Moisette to
Hfctaner the peace OF the world is
assured without further bloodshed."
What do care for the peace OF the
world" replied Severac, dryly. "I
shall keep Moisette.
That is one OF the conditions upon
which I will reveal the position Of
the mysterious isle to you"
You forget" said NJ. Van Delt, "that
you are IN our power. We can have
you shot II you do not give up
Aoisette"
severac shrugged his shoulders and
said simply:
Have me shot7 I would not tell
you where the isle is.
You will not md Moisette, and
Hictaner will destroy you at his
leisure.
Your submission to Oxus and Full
bert would not bring you peace, since
Hictaner is not fighting for FuIbert
and Oxus, but for Moisette alone"
OF course here was irrefutable
logic.
The delegates looked al him, un-
decided and q little confused. Seve-
rae inwardly enjoyed having the
power of the earth at his mercy-he
the dishonored and hunted anarchist
condemned to death, the prisoner OF
the powers
Monsieur" said the chairman, "fs
This your last word Do you refuse to
deliver Moisette to us?"
Yes and she is so well hidden that
you cannot ind her. Only three per-
sons know where she is-a woman,
q man and myself.
The woman will not talk because
she is locked in with Moisette, whom
ahe is guarding; the man will not
talk because he is dead: and I will not
talk because do not wish to-"
We'll" said NJ Van Delts 1--WE will
6ave you removed and we will delib-
crate upon the matter"
. The chairman turned toward the
prefect to give the order for removing
the prisoner, when one OF those melo-