Gilpin observer., 1917-01-18
II Story o/ Ame,zCu
First" UnmAskfng
AMe,zcuS Secret E0eS
MOeAsed From Me AzoHos Aaxys
Serial Of tile Same Name
Released1y Pashe
eSs~ta. ma kc~ y No..s

ances, not even to Pearl Dare who
was spending the summer in town al
her fathers house.
This was in July toward the close
OF century after one James Monroe,
a president Of the United States, pro-
claimed the law Of our seas to the
nations of the world.
In the ground under one wing Of the
army administration building at the
capitol Is a certain chamber, the exact
location of which remains profound
departmental secret. Its existence, in
fact, is known only to chosen few
high military officials having to do
with the program Of the war college.
A concealed passage connects it with
one of the private anterooms in the
suite Of the secretary of war, through
panel hidden in the wainscoting.
Thither Colonel Dare, upon reach
ing the war office, cautiously picked
his way. Major, Brent, he found, had
| already arrived as had also the chief
| of staff and his aides. Presently Cap
tain Payne entered, completing the
| caucus.
At sign, an aide-de-camp closed
and bolted the door, outside which a
trustworthy officer Of rank stood on
guard. Chairs were now drawn close
to the table while from portfolio the
chiefs personal aide took slim, OBJ
long packet which he presented to his
superior.
The packet was opened. It was
found to contain q sheet of paper
about thirteen inches square. On one
side was an ink sketch Of a magnif-
Gently designed tree, each leaf bear
ing a numeral. The other side Of the
paper, when exposed to the silent
inspection of the confreres, appeared
to be plain.
''This. gentlemen" gravely an
nounced the chief of staff, "is a mill
tary document of the last Importance.
Up until recently we have thought our
Notifications Of the Panama Canal
adequate to successfully defend it
against attack of a foe. This piece
of paper proves, in startling way,
the fallacy of this view. 1t conceives
simple strategy to capture the Zone,
from land source hitherto over
looked by us, without destroying the
locks"
The effect of this speech upon the
little group Of grim-vizaged men at
the table was electrical. In consterna-
ton their eyes were riveted upon the
drawing the speaker held In his hand.
The mind of each, familiar with every
foot Of ground at the Isthmus, was
filled with wonder and perplexity.
But, already is this masterpiece in
army tactics stepped in tragic cir
cumstance; and that is why you are
here" went on the chief of staff, hard
ly able to repress the excitement he
felt. 'Its author purports to be
young civilian engineer, lately returned
from the Zone. Upon arrival he came
directly to me, delivering the document
and-this." He took from his watch
chain plain gold locket.
1t was simple ornament of jewel
ry such as is commonly worn. 1t
opened on hair-thin hinge into
halves about the size of 50-cent piece.
Each of the lids held u false casing be-
hind which a wafer, resembling paraf-
fine, was hidden.
"This wafer" explained he, remov-
ing one and holding 1t in the light
sis n chemical invention of the design
er of the document. He alone knows
its component parts, although this
much he has told me: A fluid compound
is formed by dissolving 1t in pure rain
water. This applied thoroughly to the
apparently plain back of the tracing
exposes the key to the numerals on the
leaves of the tree now concealed in
invisible Ink and reveals the plan in
Its entirety.
"Now, here" he continued, speaking
rapidly to his thoroughly astonished
audience, "a terrible contingency has
arisen. The plan Is In the original, no
| copy having been made. No one but
this remarkable person actually knows
the details In 1t. He came on his first
and only visit to headquarters merely
to lay the matter before the attention
Of the general army staff. He left upon
my request for few hours time in
which to consult with the president
and secretary of war and to arrange
for subsequent meeting. On leaving
he went to his hotel and retired at
| once to his room. We, of course, had
him observed. A few minutes later u
bell-hop passing in the hall heard
groans from within. He tried to open
the door. 1t was locked. He climbed
over the transom. The room was in
frlghtful disorder. The man was lying
on the floor mumbllng incoherently.
The surgeon general Of the army him
self informs me that he is dying. He
has been completely paralyzed and can
not talk, see or, apparently. hear. The
mystery about him is that he is not
known to Gorsuch by the name he gave
us. Nothing in his personal effects
/ throws nnY light llnnn his Identify.