Gilpin observer., 1917-02-15
II Story Of 1me,7cu
FIRST" Unm0sking
ame,zIus Secret Foes
MooelGsed From a6e Monos Ressr
SSyid/ Of tie Same Name
Rt/kA,ed ~ Rsske.
eswsA ma ~ q Stos.s
SszsI99

do with her visitor. Just then her ia.
ther, Colonel Dare, hastened down the
corridor, an expression of relief ap-
pearing ON his anxious countenance
upon sight Of her. She introduced
Bertha, who repeated her story. Upon
the Colonel's suggestion the three re-
turned to tie waiting group in Senator
Warfield's office.
By curious irony Bertha Bonn was
requested to occupy a chair next to
Major Brent.
Again she told her story under the
sharp cross-questioning of Major
Steele of the army intelligence bureau,
conducting the inquiry. Senator War
field listened with mouth agape; Toxic
with natural interest in anything per-
tanning to Miss Dare; Adams with
bland and speculating attention.
Pearl gave the packet and note to
Major Steele, which he in turn handed
to Adams.
"Open them" he ordered.
Major Brent interposed an objec-
ton, leaping to his feet and taking the
center of the room.
"This Is an extremely singular and
irregular affair, colonel I" he exclaimed,
saluting and addressing his superior.
"Who knows what those envelopes
contain? This man who Is under sus-
picion should not be permitted to
open themI"
All eyes were turned upon the major
and in that absorbing second or two
Adams, stepping back pace, e1-
changed the packet in his hand with
one from his inner coat pocket. The
action was unobserved.
"Open them yourself, then," growled
Major Steele. turning to Adams, who
passed the things in his hand to Major
Brent.
AS everyone save Adams drew near
to him, Major Brent continued to show
hesitation and doubt as to the wisdom
Of this procedure. But at a nod from
Colonel Dare he did as he had been
asked.
The note was opened first.
keep out of our affairs hereafter"
1t read. 1t was signed under the sill
hOuette Of masked man:
THE SILENT MENACE"
Next came the packet. To the aston
ishment of all it contained Senator
Warfield's summarized military pre-
paredness file with the theft Of which
they had charged Adams. A hasty
examination showed it to b. damp, as
from a copying press.
Il warned you, SENATOR" drawled
Adams; II w-warned you"
by JOve, you didv acknowledged
the senator warmly. He stepped up to
Adams and grasped his hand. II owe
you an apology. VIII you accept it?"
"S-sure," beamed Adams; and to his
evident embarrassment and surprise,
the others followed the senator's ex-
ample. even Major Steele.
Il guess you're not the man we're
after, after ALL" declared the latter,
appraising him.
Il g-guess you're right there" stam-
mered Adams. whats more, you'd
b-better git me in on this thing-that's
what told this little g-girl here" In
dicating Miss Dare, who, with her
father and Senator Warfleld closely
followed the conversation, Brent, Ber-
tina and Toxic having left the room.
What do you mean by thatT inter-
posed Colonel Dare, smiling at the ia
miliarity Adams assumed in his ref
erence to his daughter.
In, the awe of the simple for brass
buttons, Adams replied: II got n-no-
ton, colonel, that l kin help your
daughter to s-solve the riddle about
her dead beau. T-that's what told
her. She w-wouldn't hear to 1t. She
g-got an idea that l was some chap
she called The Silent Menace that
pears tito be behind all these here
doin's, like this f'rinstance. The hull
t-truth is l pick up lot of dope
waitin' around in hotel cafes, barber
Ing and telegraph operating and sech
like. People think I'm IL doggone fool
because l stutter and pay no attention
to me. Now, w-what I'd like to do
he reflected n moment-"rd like to jine
the army, and b-be attached to you sort
Of like"
Your orderly, father" whispered
Pearl, to whom the suggestion ap
pealed
The colonel nodded. So did Major
Steele. So did Senator Warfeld.
"Thats It," concluded Adams. "Ther
could watch a-after this girl here
Pearl giggled.
II like her" declared Adams In Q
postscript.
And so it happened that within tn,
next few days Il. o. Adams of Monk.
Corner, Neb., became orderly t,
Colonel Richard Dare of the Seventy
first Engineers, U. S. A.
The government now began to tax,
some heed to Pearl Dare's assertion,
OF foreign alliance scheming to in
volve and at the same time crippl,
the country In war. The canal
defense plans had been stolen, the na
tional preparedness budget had beer
| stolen enpiaI md ratu,,nl ,,,Y...