The Washington times., 1927-02-14

ian Vickers drew himself higher
up on the pillows with an effort
which evidently cost him pain.
He leaned On one elbow and spoke
slowly and carefully. my time
is short, Mr.. JefEeries. know
nothing about you. / must take
you as en- opportunity sent by
Providence whether for good or
for Ill, Il Is as God wills. You
viii behave according to your
character. shall trust that the
exposition OF It win at least do
my daughter no harm"
You may rely on that SIR.
said Luke Jefferies with a faint
inclination Of his head.
TO our business, then, Mr.. JEFF
ferries, ! may fairly claim to be the
victim OF misfortune. have
pitted myself, not for the first time
In my career. against combine
ton OF clever and ambitious men,
and this time have come off
second best. They are both ruth
less and cruel. The result Of the
Vaccinations you can see in my
condition here. am bed-ridden.
helpless. my body all but dead
only my mind survives. He
turned gently as his daughter, ut
tered an exclamation and his hand
sought hers and pressed 1t.
The Seeker
Their resources. which seem. to
be unlimited, have had no other
object but to prevent me fulfilling
a purpose to which / have set my
hand. They have killed me, but /
am seeking q man who will take
up my work where 1 have iasI it
down and see It through to the
extent Of which he Is capable. It
VIII be task full Of deadly peril.
and II may possibly result n the
reward such as am enjoyinug. On
the other hand. It viii be well
paid; and the man who takes It on
win have the double satisfaction
OF benefiting not only himself
but mankind-in particular. IL it
Is OF any account to you. the
nation to which he belongs. Have
You followed me so far?"
Clearly"
you will receive q sufficient
sum for immediate emergencies at
once; a thousand pounds will be
paid into any bank you like to
name 40 soon as you begin work,
and 10000 will be yours II the
mission is brought to a satisfac.
tory conclusion"
what do you want done7'' satd
Luke Jefferies, very simply.
The stricken man searched him
with his vigilant eyes. What he
saw seemed to satisfy him, for he
signed to his visitor to come
nearer.
His Query
The girl stood with marble. like
face and lowered head. her eyes
not leaving her fathers face.
You are at liberty to take on
O task which will occupy all your
time and energy?" asked Fabian
Vickers. whose strength was obvi.
ously falling.
IF it is an occupation that
appeals to me-"
Then listen. have not much
time or breath for details--those
you must obtain from my daughter
later on. It will be part OF your
task to stand by her. to protect her
from the dangers which have en-
comprised me. and the rest will be
to fulfill the mission in which ]
have failed.
The Discovery
THAT mission, put briefly, is to
secure for this country an inven.
ton which IL at present in the
brain Of its inventor, q man named
Abraham Steel. He has discovered
q way Of producing a cheap and
efficient substitute for petrol, by
q synthetic treatment Of tar resi-
dues. You will understand the Inn
portance OF Steel's discovery when
you remember the important part
played by transport in the late
war and realize that the nation
which can produce this amazingly
cheap fuel for itself will hold in
the future a paramount position,
both economically and strategi-
cally.
you win understand. too. how