Evening star., 1923-02-21

The Scarlet Tanager
ssry Of Secret Serviee and Diplomatic Intrigue
BY J. AUBREY TYSON
Me,insn
BY J. AUBREY TYSON
Copyright. 1877. By the Mae.insu Company. !,

=
that the nature OF the substitution of
the false sheets for the real ones Is
known only to you, to your conf
dants and to me-"
Horsford's start and the furtive,
glance he directed toward
the speaker did not escape the boser-
walton OF Rennison. AS the gaze of
the assistant secretary again fell to his
desk hts hands and knees were shak-
Ing.
"Uh. ah!" he gasped weakly.
There was pause. then Rennison
said:
Now. Mr. Horsford. in order that
aess may the be bsse ing
posed and the plan Of procedure
have obiinsd. will ask you to re-
peat them"
Slowly. mechanically and in a quiet
monotone Horsford complied with
the request. He omitted nothing.
Rennison. satisfied, nodded and rose.
Very good. Mr.. Horsford.' he
said "Our understanding is complete.
In the ,ssrs 90 not w
communicate with you I'm the manner
have suggested at o'clock. Mean
time
wait, Rennison," Horsford di-
Tected: speaking abstractedly. sit
Again the Army man reseated him.
self.
With his elbows resting on the arms
Of his chair and the fingers OF his
Horsford. leaning forward. gazed at
the pile OF letters on his desk. He
cleared his throat.
Captain" he began. you have said
that, having discovered ! was in
league with the brotherhood. q power
full motive impelled you to refrain
from melting out to me the punish
ment I deserved. You added that the
motive was incident to some grieV-
ance against the American govern
If I were to ask you to make this a
little more clear to me?'
Rennison hesitated.
II am asking this because i believe
a knowledge of such grievance
moud sns aoed fS
them and their cause the assistant
secretary added.
II will tell you. then" Rennison an
swered bitterly. I'm the Army Of the
United States have the rank OF an
officer. I attained that rank by dint
Of hard study. hard work and faith
full service. Despite these facts and
repeated and vigorous protests, nave
been compelled to serve as a profes-
sional spy. This service. always oner-
Gus to me, has been aggravated by
the growing number OF my enemies
distinctly dangerous enemies. ] have
wanted to marry and settle down TO
an honorable career In the Army. The
War Department has contemptuously
ignored each request ! have made for
regular military service. And now.
Mr.. Horsford, am tired-dog tired. OF
IL all. I'm through As an Army spy
I'm done"
This Missm.Miss warbur,on is very
dear to you?"
"Dearer than life itself. And your
brotherhood has her In its grip"
II see" Horsford murmured softly.
The fingers Of one Of his hands. no
longer trembling. were fumbling at
his chin. They've got your nerve:
Rennison rose abru,ly and crossed
the room to the leather sofa on which
he had tossed his hat He was bend,
ing over this when he felt hand
fall on one Of his shoulders.
"The world is mad-mad-mad.
Horsford exclaimed huskily. ,
Rennison. Strengthening, smoothed
the hatband.
yes" ne assented. "1t is mad"
"And yet-yet-Rennison, / had ex.
pected something rather better OF
you" Horsford went on, gently grip
ping one Of the sleeves Of the Army
oficer and looking toward one Of the
windows.
indeed" Rennison murmured.
II am q man well along in years
tasks" Horsford continued. '.Politi-
cal influence, rather than merit, was
responsible for my appointment to the
ONCE / now Mold under the govern
ment. I achieved this preferment in
the se..t wSish eectsd mS .ppoint-
ment wanted a weak man in this po-
sition. and their choice fell on me:
Following my appointment, several
weeks passed before l realised this.
The realization first humiliated. then
appalled, me. When I found ! was
nothing more than a mere tool in the
hands of sinister men I tried to get
out. 1t was too late-it was too late,
Rennison. Do you understand me?'
His voice sank almost to a whisper
ing Rennison's sleeve fell to his side.
The Army man was silent.
THE knowledge that l was TO be
required to play traitorous role
retry went on. "But. as it came, the
grip of the brotherhood grew tighter.
Subserviency to its will meant life to
me. Death would be the penalty OF
my defiance. In q hundred ways /
was made to feel the power OF the
the folly OF any attempt at resist
The eyes into which the speaker
was looking for sympathy or pity
were indicative only of cold abstrac-
tion: In shaking accents Horsford
Like a European captive Of a saw
age African tribe, and forced to do
the bidding OF q merciless chief. ]
still prayed that disaster might come
my release. 1 felt that. sooner or
later, there must arise from among
my countrymen some David who
would succeed In striking down this
modern Goliath-Seafalcon Who he
might be 1 did not suspect. But I
with a will of iron. 1t was not until
1 was waiting for you today that the
idea came to ME that he must possess
the qualities which have been at
80 I have disappointed yous eh7''
Rennison asked with a note OF indif-
ference in his voice.
Still looking toward the window,
Horsford answered.:
mo, Rennison. Greater than your
Of woman. greater than your love of
life, is your love OF country and your
sense Of honor. There is only one
coward in this room."
"Only one coward. perhaps" Renni-
son said coldly. But you will not
forget that in this room is a man who
has q serious grievance against the
government Of the United States and
who 10 vitality interested in assuring
the future happiness Of Miriam War
burton
"I shall remember it," Horsford re-
piled.
at is essential, therefore, that the
program l have indicated to you shall
be carried QUITO the letter" the
Army ofi1csr went on.
"AIl will be done in the manner
you have directed, captain"
Thank YOU" Rennison said. MEAN