L. P. M. (The End of The Great War) | Page 6

chance he is discovered there? He does, eh? Well, I don't think
he need anticipate the slightest trouble in that regard; but we've got to
be prepared for every emergency.
"Now, 'Specs,' I want you to get off tomorrow night. Leave enough
men about the plant, and have sufficient work going on, so that your
absence may not excite comment. Go by way of Canada, and as soon as
you are safely out of here, take your time and run no unnecessary risks.
As soon as you are settled, communicate with me, once only every day
at exactly twelve o'clock Greenwich time, until I answer you. I shall
then not communicate with you again until this peace game is up and
we are forced to show our hands."
He paused a moment as if to make sure that he had overlooked nothing;
then resumed his instructions.
"Captain Lee's men all understand, I believe, that we are playing for a
big stake, and that the work we have on hand is no child's play; but it
will do no harm to impress it on them again. I sincerely hope that no
rough work will be required; but they may as well realize that I intend
to have absolute obedience, and shall not hesitate at the most extreme
measures to obtain it. They must be drilled until every man is
faultlessly perfect in the part he is to play. We may all be pronounced
outlaws at any time with a price upon our heads, and therefore, before
leaving here, I wish that none be allowed to join the enterprise except
those who willingly volunteer for the sake of the cause. The men who
are unwilling to volunteer, and yet know too much, must be taken and
held incommunicado in some perfectly safe place until such time as I
notify you.
"I think that is all," he reflected. Then, while the other man watched
him curiously, he stepped to the safe, and opening it brought back a
small, hardwood box about six inches square.
"I have never explained to you, Page," he said, "the exact construction

of the instrument that is contained in this box. As you know, there is
but one other instrument like this in the world, and that you know is in
a safe place. My reason for not taking anybody into my confidence was
not from any lack of faith in you or my other trusted associates, but
simply in order to be absolutely sure at all times and under all
circumstances that I was the only one in possession of this secret."
And turning to the fireplace he threw the box with its contents directly
on to the burning logs.
Page gave a slight gasp as he saw the wooden receptacle catch, and half
stepped forward as if to rescue it, but Edestone quickly raised an
interposing hand. Then he turned to his companion with a smile.
"That was my first very clumsy model. The actual mechanical
construction of this instrument is so simple," he said, "that I can at any
time construct one which will answer all purposes that I may require of
it until I see you. I intend to amuse myself on the Ivernia during the
crossing constructing a new smaller and more compact instrument,
combining with it one of the receivers which you have attuned to your
wireless. See that these as well as the following," handing "Specs" a list
of electrical supplies, "are put in Black's steamer trunk. And now, let's
have a look at those films."
He followed this with a tour of inspection of the entire establishment,
although the latter was largely perfunctory in character, since he knew
that for days everything had been in readiness for his orders, waiting
only for his return from Washington; then returning to his quarters, he
tumbled into bed to catch a few hours of sleep before again whirling off
at a sixty-mile-an-hour gait to board his steamer at the dock.
His plans were completed. His men, down to the lowest helper, were
fellows of tested experience and education, many of them college
graduates, while his "commissioned officers," as he called them,
numbering sixty, were all experts in their respective lines. They had
been drawn from all ranks of life, from the college laboratory, the
automobile factory, and the war college. There were among them bank
clerks, former commanders of battle-ships, doctors, lawyers, soldiers,

and sailors. In fact, his little world was a perfectly equipped and
smoothly running community with all the departments of a miniature
government, save only a diplomatic service, and that he combined with
his own prerogatives as Executive and Commander-in-Chief.
One thing he did not have in all his company, so far as he knew,--and
that was a weakling. So thoroughly had he