The Carlisle independent., 1917-03-15

udl Ol Shlu. II 6Shcu lO udZdIu d guess as to his nationality, one would probably have put him down as na- tive of eastern Europe-a Roumanian, perhaps, or a Greek.
 Draped over his shoulder were half a-dozen imitation Turkish rugs which he perfunctorily offered to everyone who entered or left the building. That he made no sales did not seem to dis courage him; like all Fasteners he possessed the virtue of patience. The noon whistles had just concluded their raueous' chorus when tall and strik- ingly handsome woman, gowned in the height of fashion, came out of the apartment house and etarted to enter waiting taxicab. At once the vender hurried forward, unfolding rug for her inspection.
 No, mo-" she said, with a strong foreign accent, waving him aside. T wish no rugs. Go away
 But these is yer fine carpet, ma dame urged the man, proffering one of his rugs for her inspection. "I bring heem all the way from Samar- kand"
 From Samarkand?" said the wom- an. abruptly halting. How can be certain that it comes from Samar- kand?"
 "Eet has the Samarkand mark" said the vender, loudly enough for the door attendant and the taxi driver to hear him. Madame may see for her self" and he indicated small lead seal which was attached to the rug.
 The woman examined the charac- ters imprinted on the seal. Tt is in deed from Samarkand. as you say" she acknowledged You may bring it to my room. If it hermonizes with the furniture and your price Is not too high, I will buy It."
 Ascending in the elevator to an up per floor of the apartment house, she led the way into handsomely fur nished sitting room. No sooner were they inside than the vender, tossing his rugs on the floor, silently shot the brass bolt of the door. Then he crossed the room to where the woman was standing. Lifting her hand, he pressed it to his lips.
 You don't seem overioyed at seeing me, Olga?" he complained. still hold ing her hand
 "I didn't recognize you in those clothes and with your mustache shaved off, Sextus," she answered, throwing herself into a chair. T didn't even know that you were in San Francisco. I received word from the embassy in Washington to wait here for the man from Samarkand' They told me that he would prove his identity by showing me a seal with the imperial cipher. I have been waiting here for nearly week. But why all this mystery"
 "It is necessary, Olga" was the an- swer we have reason to believe that the governments suspicious have been aroused and that orders have been issued to the Secret Service to keep me under surveillance. I didn't dare to ask for you openly. The chances of being recognized were too great And there was another req son: have found that others than our selves are after the secret of the sub- marine"
 "But what have you learned about the invention?" demanded Olga, i'm patiently.
 T have just come from Valdavia," said Sextus. Day before yesterday naval constructor named Hope reached there from Washington and imme- diately called on Burke Yesterday Burke took Hope on trial trip in the submarine. The test, so I learned from members of the crew, was en- tirely successful. They remained sub- merged for eight hours, Rurke's inven- tion supplying them with air. There was some sort of trouble on board, however, though I was unable to learn all the details. It seems that a Japa- nese named Satsuma, whom Burke has been employing, was caught examin- ing the apparatus and in the fracas that ensued he shot two of the sea- men,"
 "A Japanese?" Olga calculated. Did he escape?"
 "Yes. He opened the hatch and plunged into the sea. The police are after him, of course. but they have been unable to get any trace of him. It was to him that I referred when I said just now that we are not the only ones after the secret"
 But the invention?" repeated the woman. Cant 1t be bcught?"
 'I fear not" said Soxtus, gloomily. q understand that Burke has already given the American government an option on 1t and that Hope has wired to Washington urging that 1t be pur- chased at once"
 "How do you know all this?"
 T learned 1t from a one-armed sea man named Barnacle. who seems to be in Burke's confidence. I loosened his tongue with few drinks last night"
 My friend" said Olga, rising. We must get possession of that invention. by purchase If we can-by other means 2 hot ;t