Evening Star Newspaper, February 5, 1925, Page 25

A Story of Mystery and Adventure BY VICTOR 1924, by accents of “The guns of the inner ring are ent. Speak to the general once more.” “General!” the master cried in Tinging tones. “1 will not slaughter | men plecemeal! I warn you that un- less you give the word to cease fire T will operate with such a power as will devastate the whole city—per- haps the whole world!™ ‘Stop, stopl Whoever you are— god or man or devil, stop!” came the voice of the general, pitiful in its surrendep “1 have fla: d the ‘Ceas fire!" L am trying to re e Pres- ident to urge that he parley, but I cannot get an answer frgm the Executive Mansion—indeed 1 cannot!” . “You are in a gasproof observa- tion ation?” asked the chief. “Ye “The White House has been gassed and probably the President is uncon- selous. Give vour word, eneral— not for our sake, but for the sake of the people of the city—that no at- tack will be made on us without warning and we will descend on the White House to scek the President| for ourselves.” “T give you my word.” “That {s well. Do not move abroad ‘without an o en helmet We will clear the explosion areas of gas, so that you can send d to the wounded. | Can you send aid “That, thank God, best of all!” said ths general. “Cur Ambulance Corps is better equipped with oxygen hel- mets than any. I will see to it by ground telephone.” ‘Let the ambulance squads wear masks until th re in the damaged | areas,” the chief tructed, “then let them take the m oft to do their work. Do you understand?” “I understand,” the general replied bitterly—"I understand your instruc- tions. But you—you cannot under- stand at all— “If you had understood us, gen- eral” the chief sald quietly, “this slaughter had been averted. But un- derstanding will come to you. What 13 your name, sir?” “Lee—all America will know soon—George Lee, the man failed to defend Washington!” “There is that still to be shown Dby us, Gen. Lee,” the chief answered, “which will prove how inadequate ‘were the weapons at your disposal fpr defense against the power of the lieague of the Covenant. We shail look for you at the Executive Man- sion in, say, half an hour. Give or- ders for all troops to be withdrawn from the White House area to as far | as the Potomac and Rock Creek on the west, Eighth street on the east, Massachusetts avenue to the north and Maryland and Virginia avenues to the south. In half an hour no troops are to be within the confines of these boundary lines. Do you agree?” “T agree. Y will give orders now.” The first phase of the final raid by the League of the Covenant was over -—but at a cost in human life that made the victory bitter. it who 1L With the three terrible explosions of the ammunition wagons, and with the prolonged and heavy barrage of shellfire that must have rained a deadly shower of fragments on the streets and roofs of the city, it was not likely that the White House had escaped without injury. It may be wuessed, therefore, that I was filled with concern for Kirsteen Torrance, who, as far as I knew, still remained in Washington with her uncle, the MacCLURE. Harper & Brothers. explosives, and of the sometimes er- ratic nature of thelr effects, 1 could not be at all certain that the girl of whom I thought so much was safe and sound. To put my feeling quite plainly, 1 was filled with a dread that I could not shake off. It was with eagerness, then, when the chlef’s airship had nestled down on the grounds In front of the White & invitation an at the com- ing interview with the President. The anesthetizing gas swept by the controlling rays bout the White House, and it was possible for the party of us to emerge from the gondola into the open air without masks. When the chief and Dan and I were on the solid earth, and the gondola had been drawn up, the ship rose to ive vlace to that commanded by Seton. From this Seton came down to join us, and the party of four set out across the open space that sepa- rated us from the White House A deep quiet lay over the c! no single human being was seen. The War and Treasury De- partments on elther side of us ap- peared to be utterly deserted, and the streets surrounding the K u- tive Grounds, normally so busy at this time of day, were absolutely still. The four of us seemed to be the only men left on earth. Above us, not very high, the two silver shapes of the airships lay poised as | it dominating the sleeping city. As we walked over the sward to the mansjon no words passed be- tween us. The littlo chief. his mas- sive head sunk on his chest, and his one hand held behind him, walked ahead with Dan, while Seton and 1 brought up the rear. The big fellow at my side was very pale and set of face, and, though I cast a glance at him, he had none to spare for me. Somewhere in the distance, from the outskirts of the elty untouched by the gas, came the sound of & blown trumpet, and the notes were taken up all round. Then the decp silence came again, all the deeper for that sudden burst of martial sound. As we turned to go round the house to that little' room giving out on the grounds, we became aware that a tall man in drab uniform was coming to meet us from the direction of the War Department. Dan touched the little chief on the arm to draw his attention to the approach of the stranger, and the Here Is the way to happy days, to fit- nd good cheer. ving millions of dull days, of is this: On rising drink a er, hot or cold. That washes the stomach and fits it for food. Add to the water a little Jad Salts. That makes an effervescent drink. Jad Tresident. True, the explosions had ocourred at somo distance from the Executive Mansion, but from some little experience of bombs and high QN There are more than a Million Buick Owners More than a million people know. the great pleasure of Buick own- ership, and more than 350,000 of them the great safety of Buick 4-wheel brakes. Ask any one of the million. Buick Motor Company Saits are made from the acigs of grape and lemon, plus lithia, etc. Right after breakfast comes complete relief. The poisons and wi RN Division of General Motors Corporation Fourteenth and L Sts. N.W. WHEN BETTER AUTOMOBILES ARE BUILT, WASHINGTON BRANCH THE EVENING STAR, WASHINGTON, D. D S SSSSSIS ISR RN SRS SN S NSRS THE HUB—Seventh and D Sts. chiet stopped to awalt ms comxng.l The soldier came up and, selecting the right man with a certainty that was revealing, he saluted the frail little figure in the shabby dark sult. Bareheaded as he was, the chief beut forward in a courteous little bow. “It is safe to take oft your helmet, sir* he sald. “You are Gen. LeeT’ The soldler unstrapped the helmet with the help of Seton, and nedded. “] am Lee" he said. “You lcad the League of the Covenant?” “I do,” was the reply. “General, my hope Is sincere that you have not suffered many casualties?" “Full_returns are not available yet, but I fear all three batteries are completely wiped out! “A great pity, Gen. Lee,” the chief sald, gravely, “and a disaster 1 would have given much to avert. deplore the necessity that destroyed 50 many brave men.” “By God, sir,* the soldler blurted, ‘I really believe you are sincere!” “You will find us so, I trust” the chlef returned. “Let me introduce my companions, then let us walk on. My second in command, Comdr. Seton. Two gentlemen probably known to you, captured by us, Mr. Lamont—Mr. Boon. They are not signatory to the league 1 represent.” Dan flushed hotly. “I have not formally joined the league,” he said, “but I have to tell you, Gen. Lee, that I'm with its ob- Jects heart and soul!” The general stared in amazement. For very shame I could not stay cut after Dan's avowal. “I must say, too, that the purpose of the leaguc commands my deep re- spect,” said I. The soldier passed his hand over his eyes with a gesture that was al- most despairing. “I can't make it out,” he muttered “I'm in & dream or something—I don't understand it at all “Come, general,” posed gently. “Let us that bewilders you will clear.” ‘Without another word the soldier turned, dangling his oxygen helmet as he walked. All five of us, the chief leading the way, made for the garden entrance to the President’s room. We mounted the steps. At that table on which the chief | had laid his first letter to him the President sat unconscious He was leaning forward over the table, his head resting on his folded arms, and it looked as if he had fallen asleep at his work. In front of him, and under his fingers, lay the ulti- matum of the league. Beside it, with chief inter- k on. All be made 4 £ S, q “Happy Days ” Just add this sparkle to your morning glass. Telephone Franklin 4066 BUICK WILL BUILD THEM its recelver off the hook, stood a tele- phone instrument. He had been in the act of phoning when the gas overtoock him, for an oxygen helmet 1ay on the floor beside his armchair. He was alone in ‘the room. “Give me your helmet, general,” sald_the chiet. “That belonging to the President is exhausted. He has left the tap full on.” ontinu eliminated. That which depresses, that which makes you unfit is gone. It's a wonderful experience. At 7 o'clock one may be cross and dull, may hate to face the day. At 8 o'clock one Is cheerful and fit, starting the day with joy. The way is easy, pleasant, prompt. It is harmless, and it aids the stomach, the kidneys and bowels. / You will always use it when you try it once. \sxsnx“\msxs\s\\sm\\smmm““m“m‘xfim\\\(s\“t“W&msmsfi\svssnssfis\mmm\s\M\nfim&sxs“\vsxs\\sssss\\s\\\‘\s\\\x\\\\\\\“‘\x\s\s\;\s\ A S e R N S R A S R A R e R S TR S S L DS S SRR R S AR S a8 28 C., THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 1925. R N T LT LT TTULS T ARARAR A A SRR SRR R A AN AANSA R SRS A A SRR AR A SRR THE HUB—Seventh and D Sts. 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