The Washington herald., 1919-11-15
Of Injecting Illuminate OF mercury int

Of Injecting Illuminate OF mercury into
dynamite.
There was . breathiess hash. The
spaniards stared at the little syringe
with amazenient,
..And how does 4 operate:" aueried
one.
..It Is one OF those ingenious han
kee contriyances. I have never seen
one quite IKE u. but my fnteilisenee
makes It's Principle plain. Evidently
one Inserts the tube into the dyha-
mite. so. and presses the bulb"
There came loud cry from General
Antuna. who had bent closer; he
ciapped his hands to his face ann
staggered from his chair for In suit
ing his action TO his words the colonei
had squeezed the bulb. with the result
that a spray Of salt water had
squirted fairly into his superior Of
fcer's Interested and attentive coun-
tenance!
my eyes. Dios moi: am blinded
FOR tife." shouted the unhappy gem
eral. and his subordinates looked on.
frozen with CONSERVATION.
The aathor OF this calamity piancfi-
ed: he was strickendumb with horror.
Some one cried: "A doctor. quick
iy. Jesus Cristo. Such careiessness"
This Is terrible" another stammer-
ed, 1T will explode next
There was q concerted scramble
away from the table.
Leslie Branch iaushed-it vas the
hrst time that O'Reiily had ever heard
, him give audible evidence OF amuse-
ment. His reedy frame was shaken
fs.f,
| face was distorted, and from his lips
issued queer. hysterical barks and
chortIes. Tell 'em It's nothing but
brine" he said. chokingly.
When this welcome intelligence had
been translated. and when the general
had proved It to be true. there was a
great sigh Of relief. followed by a
| subdued litter at the coloners ex-
| pense. The latter was chagrined.
Having made himself and the CONAN
dante ridiculous. he took refuge be-
hind an assumption OF somber and Of
| Tended dignity. But 1t was plain that
! he stiii considered these Americans
dangerous people. and that his sus-
I picions were as keen as ever.
The interruption served to end
! O'Reilly's ordeal. for the moment at
/ least, and attention was now turned
to his companion. II was evident
| from the first that Branch's case was
\ hopeless. He readily acknowledged
himself to be a newspaper writer. and
! admitted having sent articles for pub
lication through the malls. This was
| quite enough; from the attitude Of the
military men 1t promised to go hard
with him. But he sprung q surprise
| by boldly proclaiming himself an
| English citizen and warning his cap
| tors not to treat him with the con-
/ tempt or with the severity they re-
served for Americans. Curiousiy his
words had an effect Judgment for
the moment was suspended. and the
| two prisoners were led away. after
which another delay ensued.
At last O'Reilly was recalled; but
when he re-entered the big room he
found General Antuna awaiting him.
alone.
Permit me to apologize for the in
convenience we have put you to-" the
comandante began.
Then am free?"
you are
Il thank you"
The generals hard eyes cleaned
Personally as one time put faith In
the idea that you are a powder ex-
pert said he. NO. / had my own
suspicious and 1 regret to say this
inquiry has not In the least served
to lessen them"
Indeed? May I ask OF what you
! suspect Ipe?" Johnnie was genuinely
interested.
The general spoke with force and
gravity: Mr.. o'Reilly. believe you
to be a far greater menace to the in
terests of my country than-well. thar
q score OF dynamite experts. I be.
iieve you are q writer"
The American smiled. Are writers
such dangerous peopIe?'
4 That altogether depends upon CIR
cumstances,. The United States is in.
clined to recognize the belliserency Of
these Cuban rebels. and her relations
with Spain are becoming daily mort
strained: ill-feeling grows. and all be
cause OF the exaCgerations. the men.
dacities, that have gone sorth from
here to your newspapers. We are de
terruined to put down this uprising in
our own way: we will tolerate, no for,
etgn interference. War is never q
pleasant thing. but you journalist.
have nagnified its horrors and mis-
represented the cause OF Spain unit
J you threaten TO bring on another an<
n more horrible combat Now then
you understand what I mean when
say that you are more dangerous thar
powder expert: that your pen ceI
do more injury. can cause the deatf
, Of more Spanish troops than couIC
J . regiment of Americans. with dyna
mite. Your English friend makes M
L - Iaf ht,St
cort him to Neuvftas and see hin
safely out Of the country, once To-
all"
And yet YOU permits Sne TO remain -
Johnnie was surprised