The Ordway new era., 1919-02-07


deal of Initiative as well. And II war
comes. as it is sure to come. Wen be
sent over on the first transport, to pre-
pare things for the troops. All, Kel-
lerman. 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 florid 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 1t in his
cordial handgrip.
ave 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 1t
was all true.
When Kellerman had gone the Colo
mel invited Mark to sit down, and
launched into business.
81 must tell you that It's pretty
stifr job that we're tackling. Mark"
he said. ITO begin with, we're a sort
Of nucleus of the whole organization.
We're in touch with every division.
We have to have the whole thing at
our fingers ends-and it's mainly a
v,o tfnr Of obtpu ortyvno1o on1 tronc-
port And. to cap the climax, you can
imagine what nest Of intrigue and
espionage Washington has become in
these days. And, as neutrals-osten-
sibly neutrals-we can do nothing to
put an end to It" -
He stretched out his finger and
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, when
work is finished. your task will be to
open the safe. take out the inner case
containing these documents. add those
on which you have been working, In
Guiding every waste sheet and every
scrap of the days blotting paper, and
have the day porter convey them.
under your personal supervision, to
the strong room, where you and either
the General, myself, or Kellerman,
will place them in the safety vault. In
the morning the same procedure is re-
versed. And that Is why I insisted
on our getting you. Mark. knew you.
and don't know the hundred of other
officers Of impeccable character whom
we could have secured. We can't run
risks-we simply can't. That's why
II has to be Just you and Kellerman
and I. We had our lesson In the old
days, you know"
He frowned at the remembrance,
and then answered Marks unspoken
| question with another.
"Where are you staying, Wallace7'
"At the Congressional"
'Well, I want you to come and stay
with us as soon as we're settled. We've
rented house In Massachusetts circle.
and move in on the first of the month.
| Eleanor and Mrs. Howard are still in
New York, but they're coming here in
about ten days time-just as soon as
can get the house ready for them.
Eleanor is dying to see you, and Mrs.
Howard has the pleasantest remem-
brances. of course. And now I'm going
| to take you to the Brigadier."
The short interview with the head
Of the department confirmed Marks
Impressions as to the businesslike ma
ture of the plans of the war office.
Mark went home He was resolved, al-
though he had not told the Colonel.
not to become his guest-at least not
\ unless he found that he could take up
his life again where he had dropped 1t,
| years before. And then-but what
was the use of speculating? He went
home to his hotel. IL
He was surprised to find how easily
he seemed to fit into his environment
when he donned his long.neglected
evening clothes and went down to the
dining room of the Congressional. Al.
most the first face he saw was that of
man Of his class; within a few min.
utes Mark Wallace was seated at the
dinner table with merry party of old
friends and new acquaintances. And
the years had slipped away from him
On the next morning, when he took
up his duties, 1t was with the sense
that he was no longer stranger
Washington was ready to extend her
xya1pntpa IN hin, thn Ar,,,, ~l,.h