Evening Star Newspaper, June 12, 1921, Page 62

"THE PHANTOM ARMY ANOTHER THRILLING ADVENTURE OF THE GRAY MASK. By Wadsworth Camp: | NE fall morning Garth paused on the threshold of the in- spector’s office, and, surpris- ed and curious, glanced quickly within. It was not so much that Nora sat by the window, clothed in ber habitual black, nor was his in- “ terest quickened by the fact that she knitted deftly on some heavy. gray garment. Rather his concern centerel on the inspector, who had letf his desk and whose corpulent, lethargic figure moved about the room with an exceptional and eccentric animation. To ease the perceptible strain Garth spoke to Nora. ¥ “Seems to me you knit no matter ‘Wwhere you are. “When one knits for the hospital: she answered, “any place will do. T had hoped my example might quiet father. 1 only dropped in for a chat. and look at him. What a welcome! I'm afraid, Jim. he has something dis- the servants had fancied a terrify- ing ‘and bodiless reanimation, the death-bed of Alden's valet. pitched forward to his knees. Rea®h- touched something wet, cold, and pos- in one breathless moment drove into one who lay defeated and beyond re- my. | He took his pocket. lamp from his \coat and pressed the control. The light fought through the fog to the face ‘of the old servant who a. few hours ago had begged to get Mrs. Alden away, whose lips had been in- comprehensibly sealed. Garth sprang to his feet. He knew his limitations. He must, have help, and now Alden must be made to talk. He ran back to the house'and step- ped ‘through the window. The lamp had been lighted. It shone on Mrs. Alden, who went over the writing- tabte, her gaze directed hypnotically ttoward the huddled man in the chair. Garth, since he came from the rear, could not see Alden's face at first. “Mrs. Alden,” he said, “I found your man, out there—" b 3 Garth nodded. “T must have help. Where's the tele- phone?” he asked. H arted for the hall. agreeable for you." The inspector paused and sat on the edge of his desk. Maybe s0. Maybe not.” he rumbled. 7 ‘don’t like working through the dark, so I don’t like to ask anybody else to do it. T've got to, though. Cheer up, Garth. I'm asking you. He raised his paper cutter and jab- bed at the desk with a massive petu- lance. ‘Ever since I got down this morn. ing.” he went on. “T've been hounded by telegrams and long-distance calls. Well? Do you want a holiday? It's apt to be a hell of a holiday. Excuse Garth said. “Something out “That's the rumpus.” he answered and Garth saw that his eyes were no quite steady. “Don’t know anything abgut it myself unless they'd like Garth to chase a few spooks. Here's the layout. It's a man who's done me & good many favors. There's no Se- cret—political ones. Tm in his debt, and he's asked mre for a good detec- tive, mind you, Garth. That's the queer side. the side 1 don’t like. He insists on his man showing up as a guest, knowing no more than a random guest would know. Sounds like tommy-rot, but he isn't sure himself there’'s any- thing out of the way. He wants you. if you take it up. to live qulietly in the house. keeping your eyes peeled. He expects you to put him wise to the trouble or to stake your reputation that there isn’t any trouble at all. Are you willing to jump into a chase blindly that way? He'd like the fel- low that swung the Hennion job, but if you turned it down cold I couldn't heip it, could 1?* 2 onsense, chief.” Garth answered. “Never heard of such a thing, but it sounds interesting. I'll take a shot at it “Here’'s his name and address. Catch the 10 o'clock from the Grand Central and you'll get up there to- night.” Garth took the slip. Before placing it in his pocket be glanced it over. * % ¥ % (KANDRZW ALDEN.” he saw. “Leave Boston from north ‘station on 4 o'clock train and get off at Deacons bay.” 've heard of Mr.——" Garth began. The inspectar’s quick, angry shake of the head in Nora's direction brought him to an abrupt pause. He| ‘“Total, except for the furnishings.’ waiked to Nora and took her hand. | ‘Are you one of Mr. Alden’s serv T et it & miler = |, The driver's laugh was uncomforta- “x with father,” she said. “Tt | Pl isn't safe to walk through the dark. Won't you tell me where you're go- ing?” “IN1 leave that for the inspector.” he answered. “I have to rush to pick up my things on the way to the train.” When Garth had left, Nora arose and faced her father. “Why,” she asked, “wouldn’t you let Jim_tell me the man's name?” What did you come down for this morning, anyway? No sense in your getting upset _ A detective bureau She cried. “And Jim's leaving from the Grand Central. I know. He's going to JMr. Alden’s at see why you wouldn't “DON’T TOUCH THAT PAPER! HE FO G AUTHORITATIVE COMMAND. somebody wanted to pay him out. Took it out of his boathouse a few nights ago, started on a joy-ride, 1 suppose, and ran it on the rocks. “Much loss?” Garth asked. caught the gesture. She walked to a cabinet and measured her husband's medicine. “IU's time,” she said as she gave it to hat we all were in bed. Shall I Garth answered, “a little later. 1 should be glad of a word with your husband." | “See here,” Garth exploded at last 's no' point in your closing your what T meant about his hav ing company. There aren’t any serv-|confidence to me. It only makes ma ants except the old butler. A woman |ters a thousand times more difficul from the village goes to get breakfast |y Of what?” and *lunch for them, but she won't stay after dark. “Why did the servants quit?" ‘Mr.” Alden's right on the ocean— only house for two miles. You see he owns a big piece of this coast—woods | thing else. Don’t deny, Mr. Alde: right down to the water. They've al- | You're more than sick. You're afraid. ways told about a lot of soldiers being | Wi killed in those woods during the revolution. All my life T've heard talk about seeing things there. Servants got talking a few days ago—said the: saw shadows in grave clothes going | through the woods. I laughed at tha too. But I didn't laugh when the found Mr. Alden's valet y morning. dead as a door nail.” arth whistled. ‘Violence 2" “Not_a sign. Coroner says apoplexy, but that doesn't comvince anybody that doesn’t want to be. *x % % Y turned through a gateway. snd, across a broad lawn, he caught a glimpse of lights, dim, un- real, as one might picture will-o-the- wisps. But the night and the mist could not hide from Garth the size of the house, significant of wealth and a habit of comfort. In response to his ring he heard a step drag across the floor, but the door was not opened at once. Instead @ quavering voice demanded his iden- tity. With some impatience Garth grasped the knob, and. as he heard the car- rizge retreat toward the town, called outs name is Garth. I'm expected.” ank heavens you've come, sir, the old man said. “Then you knmow.” Garth answered herer” “What's wrong ? “Who is that? If it Is Mr. Garth bring him to me at once. “Tm glad yowve come. aid you mightn’t make it.” The raan wore a dressing gown and slippers. His hair was untidy. From his cadaverous face eyes gleamed as if with a newly-born hope. He put his hands on the chair arms and started to rise, then, with a eigh, he sank back again. “You'll excuse me,” he szid. ‘Tve not ‘been myself Iately. It is an effort for me to get up, but I am glad to see you, Garth—very glad.” A stified sound behind Garth caused him to turn swiftly.- fHe was in time to see the distortion of the womar's features increase, to watch the re-; sistless tears sparkle In her eyes and fall. to be shamed by the Mborious sobs which, after she had covered her face, siook her in freeing themselves. Do managed to get out, “that I'm a coward. Il stay. My con- t will be carried throug| 0" Garth answered, “you're mot that kind of a coward, but there's some- he words stumbled out of his mouth. to tell me, Mr. Garth, if it's anything. oeds and the Garth asked. Alden stirred. ion of the rear casement windows. ust across the lawn.” “You haven't seen Garth asked sharp! o “Place is all right” the inspector said stubborgly. “You've seen it You were there With me two summers What's the matter with the place’ “No use trying to pull the wool over my eyes.” Nora answered. “It's the Joneliest place I've ever seen, and you ought to know I'd remember Mr. Al- den’s big furnaces and machine shop. 1 read the papers, father. He's stay- ing up S0 late this year on account of the énormous war orders he's taken. You know as well as I do Jim. What did Mr. Alden tell you? “I sometimes think, Nora, you'd make a better detective than any of us. Alden's sick and nervous. I guess that's all it amounts to. Hi probably scared some German sym- pathizer may take a pot shot at him for filling these contracts. And he's worried about his wife. She won't leave him there alone, and it seems all their servants, except old John, have cleared out.” “You said something to Jim about spooks,” Nora prompted, " Alden said, ‘“‘the servants— Nonsense, Mr. Alden. That's one of the commonest superstitions the world over, that soldiers come back to the battleflelds where they have died, and in time of Alden whis- war— “If there’s nothing in it, pered, “‘why is it so common? Why did my servants swear they had seen? And the f ‘We've had too much fog lately —every night for a week. My man died in the fog.’ Garth whistled. qguld they have mistaken him for ““There were no marks on the body. “We are talking too much.. I—I want you to stay and judge for your- sel ‘Why,” he asked himself, “won’t these people tilk? What do they ex- pect me to find in this house”" the electric bell and hall. He met John So he ‘walked to the there. “Please show me to my room,” he saild. “Mr. Alden’s asleep. Perhaps you'd better speak to his wife before You disturb him.” John bowed and led him upstairs. “Goodnight, sir,” he said, opening the door. “May you sleep well. It's a little hard here lately.” * kX % There was seme kind of a figh ther during the rewolution—a lot of men ambushed m: - ants got talking—said they saw things there on foggy nights.” The inspector lowered his voice to a. more serious key. “The angle I don’t like is that Alden’s valet was found dead in those woods resterday him. Coroner, I believe, savs apoplexy, but Alden’s nervous, and the rest af the help icleared out. Alden and his wife sre alone with-old John. Confound it Nora, I had to send him somebody.” “But without a word of this morning. Not a mark on his shoulders. Of what a deli- cacy the threat must be to require such scrupulous handling! *“If there is anything,” Alden had sald. Garth brought his hands together. “There is something,” he muttered, “something as dangerous as the death Alden is manufacturing back there.” He went to bed, but restiessness re- turmed ‘to_him. He had lost account of time. He had been, perhaps, on the frontier of sleep, for, as he sprang up- right, he could not be all at once self if anybody can. to me You're pretty anxious. Sure you haven't anything to tell me about you and Bimor i T've nothing to tell you, father,” sl answered. ‘“Nothing now. I don't know. _Honestly, I don't know. I only know T've been through one such - e Nrerice, and It anything happened. to| He advanced, at a loss, shocked by | fure what had aroused him. A man's Jim that T could help, I'd never forgive | this unforeseen breakdown. He took | groan, he thought. Suddenly, tearing el v ©TEI¥e| Alden’s hand, but the other appeared | through the darkness, céme the affirm- Tné night had ‘gathered swiftly be- ation—a feminiwe scream, full of ter- hind & curtain of rain. The last streak For. ‘abruptly ended. g of atas Red long facied! whan Chrive He threw on his clothes, grasped train drew up at Deacons Bay station his_ revoiver, dashed down the stairs I ‘wnall bullding with 2 shed like an and burst into the living-room. et lar about its throat. At “Tell me what's happened,” Garth this hour there was no operator on commanded. duty. . Garth saw a horse'and carriage The woman's voice was scarcely in- at the rear. He walked to it. telligible. “Could you drive me to Mr. Andrew “I let ‘him sleep here. Just now he " he 3 groaned. I ran in. Somebody—some- ~Probably you're the party I'm look- thing had attacked him. I ran in. I— ing for. If you're Mr. Garth from New I saw it™ “Where?’ She pointed to the rear window. “I saw it going out there. It was fogey. It went in the foy. I could- e . Garth sprang to the window. ‘Tt was, in fact. half open. Before he jcould get through Mrs. Alden had caught, his arm. “Don't follow. Tt isn't safe out there.” s “I want that man.” he said. She pointed at her husband. “Look at him. He saw it in_the fog that came through the window. It is all fog out there. Don't leave me alone.” ~ . He thrust the revolver impatientl; in her hand. = N “Then take this. Not much use out- side on such a night” The moon, he knew., was at the full, but its golden rotundity was heavily veiled to night. Garth could hear nothing. but he waited breathlessi: still straining his ears. This. he mused, was the place€ where many Soldiers had died in battle, tie setting to have forgotten hie presence. “Don’t, Cora,” he mumbled. “You mustn't do that any more. We are no longer—alone.” Garth glanced from ome to the other, answering to the atmosphere of dis. may, which moment by moment be: came more unavoidable. At last Mrs. Alden resumed her con- trol. She faced Garth apologetically. “It's because I can't get Mim away.” she said, wistfully. “And he's sick. Anybudy can see that” “A week or two more,” Alden said, “until the works are running right. Then we'll go back to New York. I've had_trouble replacing unsatiefactory workmen and I can't make the gov- ernment wait.” “You've a doctor”’ Garth asked. “From the village.” Alden answered. “T'm afraid he doesn't understand me.’ “Then,” Garth sai@ firmly, “I should let the works go to blazes until I'd looked after myself.” “It's nothing—cola, maybe & touch of the gou I sometimes suffer, and my nerves are a little under. Too ugh an open space Garth saw a flame spring up- ward, tearing the mist and splashing the sky with wanton scarlet. “What's that?"" he asked sharply. “Mr. Alden’s furnaces,” he answered. Garth atirred. “I gee. Iron. Stesl. works night and day ™" 'On war orders,” the native answered. “Now vou wouldn't think we'd - eve: have got in the war, would you? There' u whole town—| shacks—to take care of the men—more'n fifteen hun- dred of them much involved Here, Mr. Garth. You “nee 0J my business,” the man went | couldn’t afford to take chances with on. “but fs funny Mr. Alden’s having | that.” : company now.’ “T couldn't,” he answered, cautiol “Maybe you'll tell me why,” he en- ly. “Tm not so sure about you.’ couraged. rs. Alden approached him timidly. “Because,” the drivér answered, “al- X though Mr. Alde to make a pile o lldl'o ve‘enryv-leome?!‘Y ' n try to understan ou see we've no 1 he's ufi’:’v«w it in some ‘ways. sbout ~._Yyaclit™ Garth shook his head. “Ma. servents but old John. Shall I tell be some of these rough work- him to get you something—a whisky Jmen’he’s got up from the cify, or maybe And now It and soda™ Garth shook his head. “I never drink when I'm at work.” He glanced at his watch. Mrs, Alden ‘But 1 don’t know whatet is. You're ! He nodded in the di- | Gt UND IT DIFFICULT TO CREDIT MISS ALDEN WITH THAT CLEAR, “Lock that window,” he said. left it open. sound scarcely human, bad from the chair. less vocal attempt, were no palate behind to shape its intention. From where he stood see Alden distinctly enough. was sunk forward on his chest. chair arms. had stooped and was them with a curiosity almost as pro. nounced as their eagerness. “What is it, Mr. Alden?” he asked. Alden’s _lips moved. His throa | grimace. i “There !Gartn_cried. has passed. is danger for all of us.” too late Alden wanted to talk. know your husband can't speak {Look at him! She turned on him. “Why did you come? fault.” It is mare whimpering did not cease. jet something.” Garth directed. narcotic.” did not turn away from Alden. i worked ineffectively again. alized that muscies strain as he i y himself out of the chair and braced his elbows against the writing table. He grasped a pencil and wrote rapid- 1y on a piece of paper. Garth under- stood, and he reached out for the sheet on which Alden had written the words—perhaps a warning, perhaps the truth—which his tongue had been unable to form. ‘“Don’t touch that paper.” ‘There was a new qualit: voice Garth could not deny. tative command. olver. d, he noticed, did not waver. ‘What does this mean?”’ he cried. “It means,” she answered in a tired voice, “that if you read what is on that paper you'll leave me no choice. The nattorod to tho feer "ana . rose. for ghostly legends, the spot where Without warning he stumbled and ing out to save himself, his fingers sessed of a revealing quality which his brain the excuse for those at the house. It was necessary to strip the mask of night from the face of the sistance, in the path of the shadowy ‘ Suddenly he paused and turned. A come hollow, a meaning- as though there it, no tongue arth could His head His fingers clutched powerlessly at the His eyes flashed with a passionate purpose which drew Garth magnetically until he was close and staring into worked. His face set in a grotesque “The time for silence Garth drew back. Now when it was “Mrs. Alden,” Garth whispered. “You your Garth pointed to the cabinet where the medicine was kept. The night- “The doctor must have left you a She walked with a pronounced lurch to the cabinet, where Garth heard her fumbling among the bottles, hutTI‘:: imbecile socunds stopped, but the lips One of the hands moved slowly with an ap- parent sanity of purpose. Garth re- it was motioning him back. Alden started to rise. Garth saw his veins swell and the emaciated y abont the There was no more tinkling of glass at the cabinet. He found it difficult to credit Mrs. Alden with that clear, authori- He turned warily GAR'!'H closed the door, shrugging | and looked into the muzzle of his own Mrs. Alden's outstretched side him, restless: fingeri: s shoulders. & ERSIAK - h ‘Andrew!” she cried. *You don't understand. . Look at me. You have to understand. T love you. Nothing changes tha without"selazing. hia Vigllioce Srasped ng his v 3 her arm. k. Cesid o “There's 100 much to be done tonight for tears. Keep your watch.” He indicated Garth. ugr“" comeypack and attend to him She continued to stare at her hus- band's closed eyes. “He knows now, but you shan’t kill him. I tell you you shan't kill him. ‘When the occasion arises you will follow your duty,” he said. He turned to Garth, pointing to the oak door in the rear corner. “You will go in there.” A flashing recollection of Nora d cided Garth. Resistance now, he knew. [as he studied the great figure, would |mean the end. whereas, it he waited |and obeyed, the knife, secreted in his belt, offered 2 possible escape. “Walit!" the man snapped. He thrust the revolver in Mrs. Alden’s hand while he ran quickly over Garth's clothing. The thickness of the belt geea nped him. He found only the pocket “The telephone is disconnected,” he £aid evidently to reassure the woma: “Your husband is too weak to leave the house, and no one will come near it until daylight. We won't cross that bridge before we reach it.” She shuddered. The other opened the oak door and motioned Garth to enter. He went through, simulating a profound dejec- tion, but actually reaching out again to confidence. For the man would come back to visit him with the si- lent, undemonstrative violence that had done for the two men in the woods, but Garth would be waiting for him, behind the door, with his knife. Therefore, when the door was locked, he commenced hopefully to examine his prison. The arrangements, nevertheless, gave him one advantage. A single door to guard removed the threat of a surprise. In the center of the floor he found a considerable heap of wood, probably the fittings of the place. He scarcely dared pause to examine it. He hurried back to his post at the doorway, re- moved the knife from his belt, jointed it. and tested the point against his finger. He didn't know how long his respite would last. He couldn't hazard a guess as to the nature of the big man's occupation. He could only esti- mate its importance by the fact that it had prevented the other’s dealing summarily with him. He stiffened at a stealthy movement of the key in the lock. Garth could not doubt that the German was about to enter, to annihilate in his subtle manner an enemy he believed unarm- ed. With his left hand he braced him- eelf against the door-frame for the stroke, while with his right hand he lifted the knife. The necessity of | striking without warning sickened | him. He had no_choice. There was | too much ecager help within ear lhotk of an alarm. The door hinges responded to a| pressure. The lamp had _evidently been extinguished again, for he saw | in the uncertain radiance a thing, | scarcely definable as human, prone | beyond the threshold. | * % x % | U flashed in his eyes and went out. Half-blinded, he sensed the presence of something on the sill, and hek struck downward with all his forc: BY JAMES A. BUCHANAN. HE impression that Charles Evans Hughes, Secretary of State, is an austere and cold individual s not based on fact. Ever since Mr. Hughes conducted the investigation of certain Insurance companies in New York, and up to the present time, the general public has gathered the impression that he has in his heart but little of the milk of human kindness. That this impres- sion has grown until it has practical- 1y been accepted as a fact has been caused, to a large degree, by two factors. First, because the important offices he has held, since his early days of recognition, have been such as to call for a dignified bearing, & bearing that has not been analyzed by the people, and the many are prone to condemn without due investiga- tion. When Mr. Hughes was Governor of New York he was confronted with many problems of a major character, and while some of his actions did not, at that time, meet the approval of the politicians of that commonwealth, they were, however, decisions that later proved their worth. Upon his elevation to the Supreme Court of the United States he carried himself with that quiet dignity that had been his wont for years. There are some who would have oc- cupants of high office play leap frog or tiddledywinks when they are not actually in their offica Then again when he was a candidate for the presidency the very hustie and bustle of the campaign prevented the people of the country from securing more than s passing glimpse of the man who was going through a strenuous period, an individual who was being pulled here, there and yon by sirst one faction and then another, a man who. day and night, was expending more energy than a farm hand at harvest time when a storm threatens, he simply did not have time to show his real nature to the public. * % %% ’ TKE second reason is that the pho- tographs that were published of Mr. Hughes from time to time had in them too much plasmaturness— that.is, they were “two much form- ed.” Perhaps this effect was largely because of the hirsute adornments worn by the ‘Secretary of State, for whiskers very often cover those little happy lines that are indicative of good nature and 'mlj :e mll't( nahtul'n any way presume to judge as to & tyello'y being =hall adorn his face, yet a kindly expression is more easi- 1y di “T've t and ununmmunlnflvnu. beneath ‘white the table. His face set. pointed acousingly toward the rear window. * % %% eyes followed its direction. the inspiration, probably, of worked ahead, Belf. The newoomer glided from the shad- ows.-by the window and moved to Mrs. Alden’s side—huge, powerful. thick growth about the mouth, rol his face of expression, and gave to his actions a mechanical precision not lightly to be disturbed. He took the revolver from the woman. “I couldn't,” read. It won't be necessary “Necessary, you were right. Not in that way. leaves too much evidence. others went.” has been too much death.” “These death,” he answered. Ald d stretched to spot of white beneath the table. wife stumbled across and knelt be HE geeture was clear to Garth. He knew what it meant before hia Before he had seen, he appreciated almiost palpably the mew presence in the room. At the moment it seemed in- evitable to him se grou should be Jolnodnl':;‘: tonaes ??rx: e mysteries that had posed it, and that he could not doubt, to a graver issue for Alden and him- ‘The cap, drawn low over his eyes, and the bbed | tom, with the man answered in 2 voice with & German accent. “but t As the “No more death,” she cried. “There days the worid is full of t are one } m;[‘[: dent-elect Harding had requested Mr. He reached only emptiness. The one on the sill had sprung through. From somewhere in the house Garth heard the patter of hastening feet. He fought away the effects of the flagh, striving to locate the one who had entered. There beside the heap of rubbish knelt a form darker than the white darkness. He moved noiselessly over. He reached .down and grasped the bent shoulder, and, as the shoulder recoiled from his touch, so he recoiled from its quality that revealed the presence in his_presence of a woman. Through his amazement he heard the ddor close, but he felt sure of himself now. Mrs. Alden was his prisoner—a hostage, if he chose, for his_own escape, unless, indeed, she h'add finally revolted and come to his aid. “Get up,” he said roughly. The woman's sigh conveyed relief. Something scraped beneath ber hand. A tiny flame was born and entered in- to the base of the rubbish. Then the woman turned slowly, and in the light of the flame, Garth looked ;nm Nora's excited eyes and smiling ace. Incredulous, he grasped her arms, lifted her to her feet, and stared. The growing flame struck a flash from his knife, drove into his brain a full realiza- tion of the monstrous misunderstanding which had nearly involved them in un- speakablp dimmster. “Good God, Nora! I nearly—I tried to—" Her smile grew. “I didn’t know what I should find in here. 1 couldn’t afford to take chances.” “But I left you in New York,” he went ‘How did you come? “No_time for explanations now, ;!n-wced quickly. “We must get out of e “The door has been shut,” he sald “I'm afraid—locked. Why did you light that fire?” eraied tho & She ran across, the knob, then commenced to beat with her fists at the tin. Suddenly she stopped. Her shoulders drooped. “No use,”” she whispered. “She must have come in. She won't open now.” Garth hurried to her side. 1 don’t understand,” he said, “but it's evident we are caught here, and that fire has been fixed—a Signai7* ou light it she answered dully, tonight.”" s they faced was clear to “it ora! In a minute this room will be a furnace.” He imagined from the excitement still flashing In her eves that she did not qQuite realize, but she spoke without re- gret, and her words carried the shocking fatality of the German's. “I'm sorry, Jim, but if I had known we would be caught The vapor cut her voice. He reached blindly towards her through the smoke. “Nora !" is heart leaped as she swayed a little. Then he heard the grating of the key in the lock. Nora turned the knob. He pushed against the door. They stumbied into the next room, breathing deeply the fresh, clean alr. Alden’s prostrate form lay just within. His wife stood across the room the hall_door, her hand. Garth caught tableau. He glanced the meaning of the th admiration at NEXPECTEDLY a brilliant fight | the sick man, appreciating the Dbitter obstacle he had overcome, the abhorrent chance he had ,taken after conquering his physical incapacity and reaching the door. The result, Garth noticed, the revolver held listiessly in | of content. The light from the conserva- tory flickered about his face, exposing an expression of pride. The silent lips moved as if to frame a boast. “So, Mrs. Alden,” Garth said, “you left him again. To warn the others?” She did not answer. He shrugged “Anyway,” he went on, “when you came back and found him at the key you didn’t have time to get to him, and you weren’t quite as bad as you.should have been. You let him unlock the You didn't have the nerve to shoot—your husband.” “Don’t, Jim,” Nora' warned. ‘“You don't understand. And you see,” Nora went on, speaking to her gently, “what 2 useless sacrifice it' would have been. Everything was finished for you the moment I lighted the beacon.” Mrs. Alden nodded. “It was all arranged, g you will close that door the house will be safe enough from the fire. She indicated her husband. Thers were tears in her eyes again “You will take care of him?" “Yes,” Nora said. She turned and clcsed the door. Through the sudden darkness Garth | heard Mra. Alden run into the hall. He Isnnng after her, but Nora's voice, sharp and commanding, halted him. “Let her go, Jim. T'li explain. Light the lamp now.” “You've earned the right to give the orders,” he said. He felt his way to the writing table and lighted the lamp. : “Nora! What is it? Even after all T've seen I can’t be sure. The fur- nace ‘They are two miles away.” She #hook her head. “Notghe furnaces, Jim.. Come with me andI will show you.” She. led him to, an unlighted room across the hall-:iad flung back the curtains. The glare of a conflagration, far vaster than that which had threatened them in the. conservatory, flashed in their eyes and lighted the neighbor- hood with a brilliancy flercer - than noonday. ¥or the first time Garth could see that the house stood on a high, wood- ed plateau. The trees had been ‘cleared away between it and the water. and a xlope, bordered with hedges; had been blasted to a beach, small and crescent shaped. The fire blazed with a de structive violence in a structure on this beach. He recalled the driver's| | gossip_sbout _Alden’s yacht. He saw | {a smail launch, heavily laden, making 1 for’ the ‘open séa. “The boathouse,” he said “Yes” Nora answered. “Look!” She drew a little back. An explo- sion ‘fore at their ears. Somewhere upstairs a #vindow broke. The tin- !Xling of-#Tass was like an absurdly attenuated echo. But Garth's atten- tion was fixed on_ the boathouse. The building appeared to disintegrate. Out of its ruins rose a colossal column of muddy smoke. He turned, gasping, to Nora. “That building!” he gasped. “It' crowded with gasoline—oil:" “You didn't guess, Jim? now I couldn’t take chances; I had to light the signal that made them fire this.” : 'And you were right. Only the two of us— i He gazed at her wonderingly. There was only pride in his voice. “How many lives! How many mil- lions of dollars! You've gpared them, Nora.” GA 1 | | " he agreed. * % % x i | | RTH had lifted Alden to the sofa | and had left Nora hovering over | had | | carried to Alden a vast relief, a shadow | the man who, they knew now, had| “SECRETARY OF STATE HUGHES IS NOT COIsD AND AUSTERE,” SAYS THIS WRITER ! 1 WO Reasons Why T Quality.“ Ground, Eapeciafly During the Campaidn of Five Years Ago—Secretary of State Is a Hard Worker, Thorough in Investigations and i Frank and Courteous—A Tradition of the New York Bar—The Mind of a Highly Trained Analytical Lawyer Combined With a "Human This Impression Gained i close to her. gh l been systématically drugged for days. After reconnecting the telephone and notifying the federal authorities he kad returned to the living room. Nora arose, and, with her finger at her lips, joined him by the fireplace. “He’s asleep,” she said. “You know, Jim, there wasn't much point in your telephoning. They've destroyed the evidence. They've gone.” He sat down. Garth drew a chair Their voices were low in order that Alden might not be dis- turbed. 5 “Was it near?” he asked. “The fact that they took the launch—yet they might put in at some lonely cove and scatter.” “You must have guessed. s0on as I left New York. Ho *B; ing father a scolding, answered with & smile. “I knew that Mra. Alden had been born in Berlin, a:d that her familr was still prom- inent there where Air. Alden married her. “Still those men in the woods” Garth asked. *“They were probably working the furnaces. When you saw them they were on their way to the boathouse to make -the necessary alterations. And, of course, they carried all the supplies there. How did you learn about the sig- Dal?” he asked. © “I game very quietl ed, “a little like a ufraid. That front window is a little open. I overheard Mrs. Alden and a huge man. Of course, she was oMy to light that signal If the game was wholly up. It meant to them that there was a party bij dle the lot of thei my mind I must tonight, in case it was nearby. I knew then they would burn the evi- dence, escape themselves. while the submarine would turn back, believing that the game was up. “What a base’™ he muttered. W the transatlantic lanes at its mer: All those transports and freighters marked for destruction! Alden suved the fat. “Yes.” Nora answered, “I gathercd from what they sald that he made sure tonight somehow and faced her with it. That was when she screamed and tried to send you oute Then her courage failed and she called you back. She waen't strong enough for murder. And from mer point of view what she did was pure patriotism.” “It was because he suspected his wife, poor devil,” Garth answered, “that he'd tell me mnothing. he hoped I'd convince him wrong.” He had been staring at the fire. He looked up now to find that Nora was knitting complacently on something eavy and comfortavle and gray. “Wife against husband,” she mused. “Such tragedies are common in war. And she loved him. Have you noticed the conservatory door? He made me open it. He looked out there until he went to sleep—a sort of farewell, a welcome if she should come back. Per- haps she will some day. You always knit,” he said, in an uncertain voice. “Another winter is very close,” she answered, gravely, —and if the peace should be delayed there would be so she answer- eak thief, I'm much suffering- He stretched out his hand. “Nora.” he said. huskily, “you've saved my life tonight It's yours. What will you do with it She glanced up. She smiled a little. “You very nearly took mine, Jim, 80 aren’t we quits?" (Copyright. 1921.) give other than an estimate of his yearly income from his practice, well Fosted lawyers in New York hav stated that he gave up a practice of from $200.000 to $300.000. that it was his duty to assist President in the after-war period. That the services he has rendered so far have been of a benefit to the country {s shown by the manner in which he has handled questions that have arisen and the manner in which he has impressed representatives of the foreign nations. He has 4 strated to them that his desire That he is held in high esteem is best shown by the remark that a well known diplomat made to the writer the other day, w he said: “The Secretary of State is a man of which America may well be proud. * % %% FT"HOSE associated with Mr. Hughes in the State Department deeply admire him by reason of his cheerful- mess and consideration for others. As one of them phrased it the other day, *“Mr. Hughes is a wolf for work. He never asks us to work any “harder than he does and he carries more than his share of the burden.” It was one of the traditions of the New York bar that during his prac- tice he gave every part of a case thorough and careful consideration and he is pursuing the same method in handling affairs that are submitted to him here in Washingto No papers are of too voluminous a char- acter for him to go through and after he has studied the matter his ideas as to the merits and demerits of the case are clear. He has thoroughly digested ‘and classified every angie of the subject matter. His mind is that of a highly trained analytical lawyer. His very thoroughness and comprehensive grasp has instilled in his associates the feeling of confi- dence that will do much to bring about a higher morale than has exist- ed for some time in our diplomatic service. His very eagerness to work has had its influence throughout the department. Mr. Hughes is determined to leave no stone unturned, not only that the rights of this country may be fully protected. but also that, in as far as he is able, the Harding administra- tion will be a successful ome. Mr. Hughes is fortunate in having Under- secretary of State Fletcher to coun- sel with, for Mr. Fleicher's long ca- reer as a diplomat makes him & use- ful co-worker. The combination of these two minds is a valuable asset. One of the outstanding features of the human side of Mr. Hughes has been that of his heme life, and those who have been privileged to mest him at his fireside have been deep! jmpressed with the restful calm that tesque, neither could be be a buf- ‘:: , for he has possessed, since early foon, manhood, a quiet, dignified person- ality that has been mistaken for cold- ness. If a mental X-ray picture be taken of the Secretary of State, the developed plate would show. a kindly nature, a desire to aid those emtering the arena of life and & wish that he smooth 'the pathway of the un- fortunate. During the investigations in New York, Mr. Hughes neither gave nor asked from any of the noted 1 ‘who were on the ite side of the case, but he was kindly and patient, as has always been his cus- some of the younger men &t Members of the New York bar have, for many years, known this characteristic of Mr. Hughes. The manner in which he conducted those famous casés stam him s a man of vigorous mentality. Mr. Hughes is 2 man who weighs most’ carefully a cause before espousing it, a man who once after he has taken up one side, believing it to be the right side, fights to the bitter end. Th is mo doubt in the minds of man: at those who had been the loudes the bar. proclaiming that he is of a cold nature are-indi- viduals who have failed to secure what they wanted at the hands of Mr. Hughes. - +xss I‘!' is an open .secret that shortly after “election day, in November last, that when the press dispatches carried the announcement that Presi- - | Hughes to come to Marion that = A RECENT PHOTOGRAPH OF SEORETARY HUGHES. ——————————— e number of politicians volced the hope that Mr. Hughes would not be select- ed as a member of the cabinet. and while no one may have had the temer- ity to voice an emphatic protest to e to as- sume that if they had Mr. Harding would have made it clear that he was more familiar with Mr. Hughes’ char- acteristics than those who did not de- wjre that he be. given a seat in the cabinet. The preponderance of evi- dence is that Mr. Harding had not only watched the career of the former Governor of New York, but also had the President-elect, it is safs Secured an -impression as to Mi Hughes' ability from fellow members of the Senate and others as to the fitness of the man for the place. ‘There is a human ai to Hughes—the side that probably wi it be deeply appreciated by the people of the country when they come to know the Secretary of State more in- timately. When . Hughes first came toc Washington there was in the minds of many of the newspaper men the thought thst they would haye to deal with & haughty and cold et officer. This impression was soon dis- pelled, and it is safe to say that there is no member of the cabinet who is more respected and admired by the correspondents than the Secretary of State. As far as circumstances per- mit, Mr. Hughes has been open and Trank with them: he has been cour- teous, and has assisted them in every _way possible. “The boys” who cover :‘R;l State Department all swear by Another human side is his intense love of country, best shown by th faet that he gave up a lucrative prac- tice in New York come to Wash- ington, and while it is not possible to | a | | pervades that household. But Secretary Hughes can and does langh easily and heartily. He is not given to story-telling, unless he tells a story for the purpose of illustrating some point. His main recreation in life is in the study of law and the case: . Hughes has led an extremely busy life, he has jways found time to give advice and counsel] to young members of the bar who have been. confronted with knotty problems, and this desire to help his fellowmen has not been con- fined to the giving of advice alone. Many. can testify as to Mr. Hughes' charitableness. ‘Fram him you would never hear mention of these facts, yet it is ‘known among his circle of friends that he has contributed liber- ally to many worthy causes, con- tributed without ostentation or fan- fare of trumpets. As his work has for a number of years been of a sedentary character. he has found it is necessary to spend part of his leisure time In taking such exercise as will keep him phys- seal! has achieved th nd as one striding along the im- pression ered thes Swpe is & man who is in prime condition. He walks with shoulders thrown weil b:n:ykl and ‘wm: l-!.m that denotes physieal vigor. L not what might be ‘Watch him some time as the Ellipse, notice the manner in which he receives new: paper men. observe him on the e links, eve him 28 he pats the some liftle tot, acrutinize him at a well piayed of base ball, sec him surroun by his family, and you will find that there is a very hu- man side to Charlcs Evans Hughes, Secretary of State.