The Challis messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1912-current, 1918-11-13

Of understudy, In fact, but with good
deal Of initiative as well. And II war
comes, as II is sure to come, we'll be
sent over on the first transport, to pre-
pare things for the troops. All. KEEL
herman, here's Wallace, newly arrived
to take over his duties"
Mark saw not the slightest change in
Kellerman since the days Of the Cuban
war. Kellerman was just as ford as
ever, just as burly, with the same rath-
er sinister way Of glancing; his black
hair was unthinned and untouched
with gray. He had borne the years
much better than Mark.
If Kellerman reciprocated Marks
feelings. he showed no sign Of it In his
cordial handgrip.
1--WE were glad to get you, Wallace
he said. you'll excuse me for a mo-
ment. I'm sure"
He drew Colonel Howard aside in
conversation, while Mark twirled his
fingers and looked out Of the window
into the busy hive of the capital. and
tried to make himself believe that II
was all true.
When Kellerman had gone the Colo
mel invited Mark to sit down. and
launched into business.
II must tell you that it's a pretty
stiff job that we're tackling, Mark, =
he said. ITO begin with. we're sort
Of nucleus of the whole organization
We're In touch with every division
We have to have the whole thing al
our fingers ends-and it's mainly q
matter of ships, animals, and trans
port. And, to cap the climax, you car
imagine what a nest Of intrigue ant
espionage Washington has become II
these days. And, as neutrals -osten
sibly neutrals--we can do nothing t.
put an end to it."
He stretched out his finger ant
pointed toward the big safe between
the windows.
"Any one of some two hundred pa
pers there. Mark. would give a valu
able clue" he said. "Every night, whel
work Is finished. your task will be t
open the safe, take out the inner cas-
containing these documents, add thos
ON which you have been working, In
Guiding every waste sheet and ever
scrap Of the days blotting paper, an
have the day porter convey them
under your personal supervision. t
| the strong room, where you and eithe
the General myself, or Kellermar
will place them In the safety vault. 1
the morning the same procedure Is n
| versed. And that Is why insiste
on our getting you. Mark. l knew yo'
and don't know the hundred of Othe
officers Of impeccable character whol
we could have secured. We can't ru
risks-we simply can't. That's VIII
II has to be Just you and Kellerma
and ]. We had our lesson In the Of
days. you know"
He frOwned at the remembrance
and then answered Marks unspoke
question with another.
"Where are you staying, Wallace
"At the Congressional"
''Well. want you to come and sta
with US as soon as we're settled. We,
rented house In Massachusetts, circl
and move In ON the first Of the mont
Eleanor and Mrs. Howard are still
New York. but they're coming here
about ten days time-just as soon
I I can get the house ready for thel
Eleanor IL dying to see you, and MI
Howard has the pleasantest remel
brances, Of course. And now I'm goil
to take you to the Brigadier."
The short interview with the he'
Of the department confirmed MARI
Impressions as to the buslnesslike r
ture Of the plans Of the war Oft
Mark went home. He was resolved,
though he had not told the Colon
not to become his guest-at least q
unless he found that he could take
his life again where he had dropped
years before. And then-but WI
was the use Of speculatingf He VIC
g. home to his hotel.
-; He was surprised to find how cas-
r he seemed to At into his environms
l. when he donned his long-neglect
th evening clothes and went down to
t. dining room Of the Congressional
r. most the first face he saw was that
man Of his class; within few N
o. utes Mark Wallace was seated at
dinner table with q merry party Of
a friends and new acquaintances. 4
e. the years had clipped away from b
q On the next morning, when he +
"a mp his duties. It was with the Pc
III that he was NO longer q stranl
m Washington was ready to extend
1T welcome to him. At the Army q