Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-08-19
Bv p. e.. W0deh0use

| "Tndced?" said the other, with a
| touch OF asperlty II YOU really want
| 10 know. | am probably rs handsome
= man as there is in London But nay
/ mission is one of such extraordinary
secrecy that dare not run the risk OF
being recognized" He paused, and
Clarence saw his eyes CLINT through the
holes in the mask Mr. Mullincr.
have Won any acquaintance with the
rsmiacations Of international secret
po'i;ics2"
Il have
And you are pa'riot?"
4 an
Then l can speak freely You arc
aware. MI Mulliner that this country
and a certain rival power have been
competing FOR the friendship and alli-
ance Of a certain other power"
No" said Clarence. they didn't tell
me that"
Such is the case And the prcsi-
dent IF this power"
Which once"
The second one"
Call II b"
"'1NHE president of Power B is now
in London He arrived incognito,
the representatives of Power A. to the
best Of our knowledge, are not yet
aware OF his presence. This gives us
the few hours necessary 10 clinch this
treaty with Power 3. before Power A
can interfere | ought TO tell you, Mr.
Mullincr that If Power r forms an
alliance with this country, the Suprem-
acy Of the AnglO-SaXon race will be
secured for hundreds of years Where
as. il Power A gets hold Of Power B.
civilization will be- thrown into the
melting pot In the eyes Of all Europe
and when I say all Europe / refer
particularly 10 Powers c.. y and E
this nation would sink to the rank Of
q fourth-claSS power
Call ii Power r" said Clarence
1t rests with you. Mr.. Mulliner. TO
save England"
Great Britain corrected Clarence
He was half Scotch on his mothers
size, But how? What can I do about
it,"
The position is this. The president
OF Power b has an overwhelming desire
to have his photograph taken BY Clar-
ence Mulliner. Consent to take ii and
our difficulties will be at an end. Over
come with gratitude he will sign the
NA1"+Ns HAtA tiiV A4tA 4p~S6AbIi ISSt WAL
be safe
Clarence did not hesitate. Apart
from the natural qualification Of feeling
that ne was doing the Anglo-Saxon race
BIZ Of good, business was business:
and Il the president took a dozen Of
the large size finished in silver wash.
1t would mean a nice profit
Il shall be delighted" he said
Your patriotism" said the visitor.
will not 60 unrewarded. II will he
gratefully noted in the Very Highest
Circles"
Clarence reached for his appoint
ment book
Now. let me see. Wednasday?-N
I'm full up Wednesday. Thursdavr-
No. Suppose the president looks In at
my studio between and on Fridav?"
The visitor uttered gasp.
Good heavens, Mr.. Mulliner," he ex-
claimed. surely you do not imagine
that with the vast issues at stake. these
things can be done openly and In day.
light? II the devils in the pay Of
Power A were to learn that the presi-
dent intended to have his photograph
taken by YOU, | would not give a straw
for your chances Of living an hour"
Then what do YOU sugccst?"
you must accompany me To the
presidents suite at the Milan Hotel
We shall travel in a closed car and
Heaven grant that these fiends did not
recognize me as I came here II they
did, we shall never reach that car
alive"
II appeared to be holiday-time for
fiendS. or else the night-shift had not
vet come on for they reached the car
without being molested Clarence
stepped in, and his masked visitor fol-
lowed him
Talking Of fends---" began Clar-
ence.
The sentence was never completed.
A vet pad was pressed over his nos
trils: the air became a-ree& with the
sickly fumes Of chloroform and CLAIR
enca knew no more.
When he came to. he found himself
on a bed in a room in a strange house.