The Washington times., 1919-04-30
"The Dark Star :
Neeland Entrusts the Olive Wood
Box to the Captain Of the Trans
Atlantic Liner for Safe Keeping.
By ROBERT w. CHAMBERS

Yes, i DID. There was q bree.
In them-a gayety. And such a
fetching girl you drew for your
heroineg
you think so! IT'S rather inter
esting. I met q young girl once
she comes from upstate where
come from. There was a peculiar
and rather subtle attraction about
her face. So ! altered the features
Of the study I was making from
my model, and put in hers as re-
membered them"
''she must be beautiful. Mr.. Nee
land
at hadn't struck me so until I
drew her from memory. And there's
more to the story. never met her
but twice In my life--the second
time under exceedingly dramatic
circumstances. And now I'm cross
ing the Atlantic at q days notice
to obiige her. It's an amusing
story, isn't it?''
'.Mr. Neeland. / think II fs going
to be what you call continued
story"
NO. Oh. no. II ought to be, con-
sidering its elements But Il isn't
There's no further romance In Z.
Captain West"
The captains smile was pleasant
but skeptical
They seated themselves. NeeIand
declining an invitation to supper.
and the captain asking his indul-
gence II he talked while eating.
Subject OF Wireless Inquiry.
''Mr. Neeland.7 he said. "Fm about
to talk rather frankly with you.
have had several messages by wire
less today from British sources con-
corning you
Neeland, surprised. said nothing.
Captain West finished his bite Of
supper; the steward removed the
dishes and went out, closing the
door. The captain glanced at the
box which Neeland had et-On the
floor by his chair.
May 1 ask" he said. Hwhy you
brought. your suitcase with your
'It's valuable"
The captains keen eyes were on
his.
"why are you followed BY spies2-
he asked
Neeland REDEEMED.
yes" continued the captain OF
r the VOlhynia, my government in
structs me, by wireless, TO ofter you
any aid and protection you may de-
sire. am informed that you carry
papers OF military Importance to =
certain foreign nation with which
neither England nor France are on.
what might be called cordial terms.
am told il is likely that agents of
this foreign country have followed
you aboard my ship for the purpose
OF robbing you Of these papers.
know about this business?"
''Very little" said Neeland.
"Have you had any trouble?"
"Oh, yes"
The captain smiled:
Evidently you have wriggled out
of it," he said.
Eyes, wriggled Is the literal word.
Then you do not think that you
require any protection from me
'sPerhaps do. I've been a singu-
larly innocent and lucky ass. Ita
merely chance that my papers have
not been stolen, even before
started in quest Of them"
Have you been troubled aboard
my ship?"
NeeIand waved his hand care
Nothing to speak Of, thank you
eff you have, any charge .
make"
VIII Make No Charge.
ooh, no.
The captain regarded him in7
tently:
LET me tell you something" he
said. "Since we sailed, have you
noticed the bulletins postedeontatn-
ing our wireless news?
"Yes, I've read them"
"Dfd they interest your
"Yes. You mean that row be-
tween Austria and Serbia over the
archdul<e's MURDER
"I mean exactly that, Mr.. Neeland.
And now I am going to tell you
something else. Tonight I had
radio message which I shall not
post on the bulletins for various
reasons. But I shall tell you under
the seal of confidence"
ct give YOU my word Of honor,
said Neeland, quietly.
Il accept it. Mr.. Neeland. And
this is what has happened: Austria
has decided on an ultimatum to
Serbia. And probably will send it,
They remained silent for a mo-
ment. then the captain continued;
''way should we deceive
ourselves? This is the most
serious thing that has hap
pened since the HobenzOllern
incident which brought on the
Franco Prussian war"
NeeIand nodded.
you see?'' insisted the captain.
Suppose the humiliation is too Sc
we're for Servia to endure? Sup
pose she refuses the Austrian
terms? Suppose Austria mObilizes
against her? What remains for
Russia to do except to mobilize?
And. if Russia does that, what Is
going to happen in Germany? And
then, instantly and automatically,
what will follow in France? His
mouth frightened grimly- England
he said. "is the ally of France. Ask
yourself. Mr.. Neeland, what are the
prospects of this deadly combine
ton and deadlier situation"
After a few moments the young
man looked up from his brown
study:
Asks Permission for Question.
I'D like to ask you a question
perhaps not germane to the subject,
May To-
ASK it,"
"Then, of what interest are Turk
ish forts to any of the various allied
nations-to the Triple Entente or
the Triple AIliance?'
Turkish fortifications
fsYPS-DIanS for them" ="