The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1925-11-27
S A p r E r

| carried out we came to the conclusion
that this mysterious Black Gang was
reality, and that, further, 1t was In
timately connected with these disap-
pearances. But we also came to the
| conclusion that the ideals and objects
of this gang were in every way desir-
able. Such thing, of course. could
not be admitted officially: the abduc
ton Of anyone Is criminal offense.
But we came to the conclusion that
the Black Gang was undoubtedly an
extremely powerful and ably led Or
ganizatiOn whose object was simply
and solely to fight the Red element
in England. The means they adopted
were undoubtedly illegal-but the re-
suits were excellent. Whenever a man
appeared preaching Bolshevism, after
few days he simply disappeared. In
short, reign of terror was established
amongst the terrorists. And it was
to put that right have no doubt that
the Reverend Theodosius Longmoor
arrived in this country"
Sir Bryan thoughtfully lit another
cigarette.
ITO return to the island. McIver
went there, and after some little diff
Guilty located it, out of the twenty or
thirty to which the description might
apply. He found it far from uninhab-
tied, just as that letter says. He found
it occupied by some fifty or sixty rabid
anarchists-the gentlemen who had so
myst eriously disappeared-who were
presided over by twenty large demo-
bilized soldiers commanded by an ex-
sergeant-major Of the Guards. The
sixty frenzied anarchists, he gath
cred, were running state on commu-
mist lines. as interpreted by the ex-
sergeant-major. And the interpreta-
ton moved even McIver to tears of
laughter. 1t appeared that once every
three hours they were all drawn up in
row, and the sergeant-major, with
a voice like bull, would below:
"'Should the ruling classes have
money!
'Then they answered In unison
NO.
"'Should anyone have money!
Again they answered NO
"'Should everyone work for the
common good for lover Yes
"Whereat he would roar: Well, in
this ere island there amt no ruling
classes, and there amt no money, and
there's DAM little love, so go and
plant more potatoes. you lop-eared
sons Of Beelzebub.'
''At which point the parade broke up
in disorder"
Sir John was shaking helplessly.
"This is jest, tombstone. You're
joking"
"Im not" answered the other. "But
think you'll admit that the man who
started the whole show-the leader of
the Black Gang-is a humorist, to put
1t mildly, who cannot well be spared"
"My dear fellow, the cabinet is the
only place for him. If only he'd ex-
port two or three of my colleagues to
| this island and let 'em plant potatoes
I'd take off my hat to him. Tell me-
do I know him"
Sir Bryan smiled.
| "Tm not certain: you may. But
the point, Haverton, is this. We must
take cognizance of the whole thing, If
we acknowledge 1t at ALL Therefore
shall we assume that everything l
have been telling you Is fairy story:
that the Black Gang is non-existent-
| r nov COW tbot n will ho oh x,or1
that what has already appeared in the
papers is just hoax by some ire
sponsible person? Unless we do that
there will be cause celebre fought
out on class prejudice-a most in
judicious thing at the present moment.
may say that the island Is shut down,
AMI the sixty pioneers have departed
to other Countries Also quite num-
Der of those agents whose names are
on the list you have have left our
| shores during the past few days. II
Is merely up to us to see that they
| don't come back. But nothing has
come out in the papers: and don't
want anything to come out either"
He paused suddenly, as a cheerful
voice was heard In the office outside
"Ah! here is one Captain Drum4
mond. whom l asked to come round
this morning." he continued, with a
faint smile. II wonder If you know
him."
"Drummondr repeated the other.
"ls he vast fellow with an ugly
face?"
that's the man." said Sir Bryan.
1--WE seen him at his aunt's-old
Lady Meltrose. She says he's the big
gest fool in London"
Sir Bryan's smile grew more pro-
nounced as the door opened and Hugh
came in.
Morning, Tum-tum." he doomed
genially. "How's the liver and all
that?"
Morning. Hugh. Do you know Sir
John HavertonT
Morning, Sir John. Jolly old cabi-