Fame And Fortune Weekly (no. 877) (1922 07 21)
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No. 877 JULY 21, 1922 7 Cents =F BALA ByA Self-Made r Pe opiligt you old dotard, I have you at last!” cried Mustapha Hamet, rushing at the group with upraised fist, followed by his men. The old Bulgarian did not budge an inch. He regarded the Turkish officer with scornful defiance
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FAME AND FO Issued Weekly—Subscription price, $3.50 ‘ d Woot 223 Street, New ‘York, Ne Xo Bintan Post-Office at New York, N. Y., under the Act of March 3, 1879. cf 7-18-74 RTUNE WEEKLY a, $4.00; Foreign, $4.50, Harry E. Wolff. Publish - . as Second-Class Matter, October 4 1911. at pee ae No. 877 NEW YORK, JULY 21, 1922 Price 7 Cents LOST IN THE BALKANS OR, THE LUCK OF A YO UNG WAR CORRESPONDENT By A SELF-MADE MAN CHAPTER I.—Jack Wood, Newspaper Corre- spondent. “Your name is Jack Wood, American?” asked a Turkish official, in excellent English, of a smart-looking lad, as the two stood on the quay at Salonica. The official was examining the boy’s passport, for he had just arrived by steamer from Smyrna. His grip, containing the most necessary articles he could pack into a small compass, stood at his feet. Behind him glistened the waters of the harbor in the noonday sun. A ship or two flaunt- - ing foreign flags, a few sloops and schooners, the steamer he had come on, and innumerable small boats, dotted its surface. Facing him was the long quay, not over wide, lined on one side with retentious-looking edifices, solid and substantial. en were constantly passing up and down, under _ the shade of the awnings, or in sun where awn- “ings were missing, perspiring more or less, for the heat was intense. The Turkish fez predomi- nated, but the effect of the scene was European, Although everything looked peaceful to the easual eye, ve i “time past, onica was, behind the scenes, a smoldering volcano. It was hard to realize that this town of merchant palaces, fine cafes and splendid buildings, was part and parcel of ter- ror-stricken Macedonia; that the inhabitants would start at the mere banging of a door—the result of months of nervous tension. The Balkan War had not yet breken out, but no man could say when that end-of Europe would be the scene of desperate carnage. Greece on the south; Ser- “wia, Roumelia, Bulgaria and Roumania on the north, were like seething cauldrons, or war dogs held in leash. ~The question was which would be the one to start the ball rolling. And the object of all was the extinguishment of Turkey in Eu- rope—the driving of the crescent across the sea _of Marmora and the Bosphorus. It was coming, as sure as the sun shone that noonday on the quay, and the Turk knew what he was up against, and did he quail and cower at the inevitable? Not he. Rather was he defiant. He believed no - power could prevail against his strength. Though shorn of much of his former possessions, he was in Europe to stay. He was sneeringly indifferent to the lowering future. : ; it very morning, as our hero learned later, among other things, five Bulgarians had been bas- tinadoed till their feet ran blood, because they asked the officer who impressed them into work- 0 a. “ > t at that moment, and for a long « ing on the railroad to be allowed to return to their village for one day to gather in the re- mains of their crops. Such incidents were com- mon, and they were mild in comparison with others, the recital of which would chill the blood. Jack Wood nodded as the official read his name and nationality on the document. After a ques- tion or two more, the Turk put his O. K. on the passport and returned it to the boy. Jack asked where the American Consulate was. The official said it was several blocks up the quay. The tramcar that passed sdgualanatey that way on the single track line would take him past the building, which he couldn’t miss, as it displayed an Amer ican flag. To make sure, he would give him a paper to hand to the man who officiated as con- ductor of the car. Jack waited under an awning for an antiquated car to come along. He boarded it, handed the man a piece of money, and received some small change. Then he gave the man the paper. As the car glided along the young American noticed sentries posted at every corner, which looked as though the town were under martial law. Patrols marched té and fro, and Jack afterward learned that the narrow, noisome alleys hidden behind the houses were thronged with Turkish riff-raff. He also learned that every bank and public building was guarded. At length the conductor stopped the car, pointed at a nearby building, and said something in Turkish which Jack understood to mean that the consulate was there. Then he no- ticed a small American flag hanging out of a sec- ond-story window. He got off, entered the build- ing and marched upstairs. The door facing him bore the words, “American Consulate.” He walked in and laid his grip on the counter. A good-looking lad about his own age came forward from a désk. “T have a letter for Mr. White. said Jack. “No, he’s out a asked the boy. “Tt is—to me. It is\a note of introduction from the managing editor of the ‘Daily Planet,’ of New York City, to Consul White. “Mr. White is my father. Come in. I am glad to meet a countryman fresh from the States, as * suppose you are.” “Yes; 1 came by way of Gibraltar, Malta, Cre’ and Smyrna.” r ~ “Your name is——”- “Jack Wood.” “Mine is Dick White.” Is he in?” t present. Is it important?” a
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Z LOST IN THE BALKANS The boys shook hands and a friendly feeling and the sign language comes next. I can talk a ~ was established between them at once. Dick led little French and German, but it’s so little that I the way in his father’s private room, and they guess I could squeeze the whole of it into my vest sat - sag scare each other. 4 pocket.” “You have come here on business connecte “How | h ; 2” | with your paper, I presume?” began Dick. “This “ Shani a vias 208 Sere pere is hardly a place to visit on mere pleasure just “Then you're used to the manners and customs _ now. I wish I were out of it.” of the town.” “Yes. I am here to gather inside news con- cerning the situation. War is looked fox at any moment, and the ‘Planet’ wants to have a corre- “Oh, yes. I get along all right, though I ran Epeiact ae once a — Most of the peo- 2 ple who belong ‘to the club can speak English spondent on the ground.;” sy ..sq More or less fluently. What we me nae a a “T don’t envy your assignment, old man,” said warship—several of them; in fact. They have Dick, in a familiar way. “You could hardly have been called for several times, but are slower than come to a worse hole. I hope you have plenty of molasses in getting here. I imagine that the Tur- nerve, for you'll need it. Are you anything of a kish Government objects to their presence and linguist? English alone doesn’t count for much has intimated its sentiments. There; are a good in this quarter of the globe.” - : many British subjects in business here, and they “I talk French, German and Spanish, and I are perfectly aware that their lives and property spent a month in New York among the Bulgarian are not safe. If the populace take to throwing and Roumanian residents picking up what I could. bombs again, there is little doubt what will hap- I hobnobbed with a Turk on the steamer, and” pen unless the British warships arrive in time.” have a list of common expressions as long as your “T had no idea that things were as bad here as arm in a memorandum book which I have been you make them out to be.” — ; studying. I’ve got a tough job before -me, and “They are worse than we have any idea of. haven’t the faintest idea how I shall come out, [ook at the soldiers standing guard in every part but I intend to get through somehow.” of the city. That means the authorities are in Jack spoke resolutely, and his expression touch with the situation and are trying to keep — showed he meant business, and it would take the lid on.” : something out of the usual to sidetrack him. f “What’s the real trouble in this place?” “I guess you’ve got plenty of sand, Wood, but — “Well, one thing is that the line between opu- you need luck as well as nerve to carry you lence and misery is too strongly drawn. Even along,” said Dick. “Things are redhot in this the soldiers are half starved, and go begging ‘town, and 5 owene times" ie et the from door to door.” provinces, ere was a man in here a while ago “Aren't they paid and fed?” = who Bate) bon a from Paty a oo a “Their pay is in arrears and their feed is short pe in the Turkish regi They came the commons. e merchants, officials and others of — © are in service. ey. like class, are sleek and fat. ey live well, and night before, and lost no time in burning a vil- t103. wives and daughters S away out of 1 : _ said rion fig sei gc eRe gine sight. You'll get a sight of them towards eve- a fot of men as he lad ever seen, and ne nas nac ning, after dirmer, driving or strolling about, opportunities of seeing a lot. The landlady of the hn ioving the evening breeze. The poor see them inn where he got a meal cursed Sea ee Acs ee a and the effect on them is mighty, bad. An empty the place. She told him she heard shots, and <tomach and a hopeless prospect, under such cir- yells, and despairing screams all night long. As for murders, they have become so common that COeThate wight ene ee for anarchy.” the people hear of them with no more feeling At that moment Consul White came in, and, his Bee ad me aed = - hen laying an egg, OF <on beating a retreat, Jack handed him the un- ee, ; ak: : he ES sealed note of introduction. A*plenseat-comntry tobe in?” remarked the Mr. White read it, then shook hands with the eeDen't mention it,” grinned Dick. “Do you boy and said he was glad to make his acquaint- ” ance. ont bes se you, Wood. TI hope “It will give me great pleasuré to assist you in “ ’ any way, Mr. Wood,” he said. ‘Your mana E dep’ expect 'te,"\t; hare:a\ Ant of ground to editor is a personal friend of mine, and he has ut his request in strong terms. He evidently line on the general state of affairs out here, but you will soon be able to furnish him — a few wrinkles mad se not pene spat 7 » will introduce you to the correspondent o ae “But Aaah ~visbaan at je bs A sag on what London ‘Daily tices and I will also make you~ ae ge to t ot ?S bid oT hives demonstrated 2¢quainted with the London ‘Times’ man. Both ey pont a , OU hes wer on my general pro- ™ake their headquarters at the club. That’s the 0 things; and a place to hear all the news that leaks out.” for picking j : vin “I dare say, sir, but my mission is to get hold a * wn = oe Pater! coda go anywhere -of news that does not leak out,” said Jack. ~ ’ ee a ae +e Peel ET ey
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— LOST IN THE BALKANS who knows his business. The word isn’t in our dictionary.” said Jack. : “T know,” smiled Mr. White, u are not in America, or some other real civil- Ped land. Here the newspaper man is the crea- ture of’ circumstances.” : “He must make circumstances serve him.” “My dear young man, I admire your newspaper sagacity, and your natural grit, but do not try for what is beyond you. If you do—well, you are likely to disappear unaccountably, and that will be the end of you. Having friends at your back, polite notes will pass between our diplomatic ser- vice and the Government. A’ strong effort will apparently be made to find out what has become of you; but it will end in nothing being done. No man’s life is safe in this country now. For- eigners, like yourself, have some advantage under ordinary conditions, for the soldiers have strict orders not to fire on @ European; but where such a considerable proportion of the privates are of imperfect intelligence, and many ‘totally savage, mistakes will happen. It is little comfort for you to reflect that if you were killed through one of these mistakes, that the soldier would be hang- ed with much pomp after our Ambassador at the Porte has energetically demanded retribution for your murder. It is bad enough to face such things, but to look for trouble, as your remark indicates, it js simply suicidal,” said Mr. White. “Well, sir; you ought to know,” said Jack. “A man in my position is bound to know what is going on within his ken, though not absolute- ly. In Washington the Government can hardly ~ make the slightest move without the press bu- _4.Yeau learning the chief facts right away. The newspaper men seem to be in touch with a thou- sand channels of information. But here it is; very different. Officials that learn important things here may not always whisper them abroad, for there is a spy at your elbow when you dream not of it, and should the official be indiscreet’ he is apt to find out his mistake very soon,” said Mr. _W “As my son is about your age, and I ; you will find him good company, I will turn you over to him, and direct him to show you the town as far as it is prudent for you to become acquainted with it. I will see you later myself at the club.” : ; He rang a bell, and Dick came in. “Tet me make you acquainted with——” began his father. E aes _ “Jack Wood. ‘I know. We have already be- come acquainted while waiting for you to come back,” said Dick. “I suppose you want me to take him under my wing until he is able to look around -on his own hook. I will do it. You want to go’ to the hotel, old man,” to Jack. “And get your baggage (luggage we call it here) from the steamer. Well, I am at your service.” - With a few words of thanks, and a bow to Mr. _ White, Jack followed Dick “out of the room. as ik Be os en 2
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; = LOST IN THE BALKANS — phorus. I don’t know how many wives he has, but he has a number, and report says there are none finer, even in the palace of the Sultan. His chief wife is a Circassian beauty that he inher- ited with his wealth from his uncle, who” was a Pasha.” “I should like to see the lady—all the ladies, in fact,” said Jack. : “You’ve as much chance as flying to the moon. His wives, like others of their kind, are kept under coyer. ‘They are slaves, for they are bought and sold like chattels; but they are not like ordinary slaves—they live in= gilded cages and subsist on the fat of the land.” “J thought he was a swell guy. If he’s wealthy, why does he stick to the army? If war breaks out, as it seems likely to do at any moment, he’ll have to leave his wives and his fine house and go and fight like any other officer.” “Oh, it’s the proper caper for him to follow the rofession he was brought a in. It wouldn’t do foe him to quit if he wanted to, and I don’t be- lieve he wants to.” “Well, I. don’t like his face. It’s the face of a " man that isn’t to be trusted.” “Qh, the woods are full of those kind of men,” said Dick, carelessly. : Another week passed, and then Jack told Dick that he was thinking .of going further afield to get his news first hand. Dick looked solemn. “lm afraid you’re tempting Providence,” ~he said. ~ “J ean’t help what I’m tempting, I didn’t come to this region to hang around Salonica. The only _ reason I’ve been here as long as I have was to pick up the Turkish lingo to carry me into Bul- garia.” rr “Are you going into that country?” “Tf I survive long enough I am.” - “J hate to lose you, for life has been different with me since you turned up, I shall feel like a fish out of water when you are gone.” _ “J should like to hang around here a while lon- , for we pull together mighty well; but when ar calls, a fellow has got to respond. I re- ceived a cipher message from my chief to try and find out certain things, and I’ve got to get a move on. I intend to take the train for Monastir to- morrow.” : Dick returned home that night feeling glum over the approaching loss of his new friend. He admired Jack for his many sterling qualities, not the least of which was his nerve and ee! assur- - ance. Imagine his joy, then, when his father told him that he had a very important document to be transmitted to the American consul at Monastir - which he would have to carry there by the morn- ing train. “It will be a good chance for Wood to get a -Jook-in at the town under favorable conditions. As You are going there in an official capacity, it will make some erence in your reception and he will be thrown on his own resources in a dan- gerous part of the country.” “Tf anybody can take care of himself under any and all circumstances, take it from me, Jack can.” “T believe you. He’s an uncommon young fel- low, and a fine chap. I have taken a-great liking to him, and I should feel very-sorry if anything serious happened to him. While it is true that Europeans and Americans come under the head, are not molested under ordinary circumstances, the fact that Wood is a newspaper correspondent is going to attract suspicion to him the moment his calling gets out. If he goes prying around the hospitals, as he is likely to do, he is going to be watched. I’ve got it from people who know that the hospitals of Macedonia hide facts that would start a protest from many quarters, and the authorities are taking every precaution to prevent these facts from getting to the eyes of the world through the press. The newspaper cor- respondents here hfve pulled every wire they can reach in an effort to get an insight behind the scenes, but without avail. Woed would be more than human if he succeeded. He’s just the kind of chap to get there if he can, and there is no telling what might happen t I hope you will warn him.” ; *% “Sure I will. That is whil ve been doing ever since he came here, and I’ve had the time of my life preventing him from taking rash risks that would have taken all the influence of our Ambassador to get him out of it if he survived the proceedings. I believe Jack doesn’t know what the word fear means, but he recognizes the ari ees that surround him when I out. Next morning Dick was at the hotel early and reached Jack’s room before he-came down to breakfast. 3 _ “T’ve great news for you, old man,” said Dick, his face all aglow. “Has war broken out during the night ?” asked Jack, as he fixed his tie. “Not that I’m aware of.” “What’s your great news, then? hasn’t died of heart failure, has he?” “No such luck. I’m going to Monastir this morning on official business.” “The dickens you are!” ejaculated Jack in sur- prise. ~“We'll go together, that wilt give you the chante to travel under my wing.” “Under your wing, eh? Do you think I need a protector?” ; _ “A person’ needs all he can get and more, too, in this country nowadays.” “Well, I shall be very glad to have your com- pany, Dick. I wish you were going to be m - steady companion, for I’m not very well ground- ed yet in the different jargons I shall mm up against. I know enough Turkish to squeeze through a knothole with, but I’m not giving the fact away. The other eveping I had a run-in with a sentry out at—but I won’t tell you, lest you have an attack of heart failure at my nerve. . 1 was after inside information which, owing to the sentry, I didn’t get.” . a “You didn’t. tell me this before. Haven't I ’ SN ent point them The. ; ultan =) a oe be 5 ae rae ig a a AIOE hk see “Of course you have, but in the line ef duty, a es erie me lee i es ae *
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Warning cuts a small figure with me. I'd rather die with my boots on in a good cause than—but no matter about that, what I was going to say is the rascal ordered me away in his execrable lan- guage, which I pretended not to understand, - though I did, all right—that is, the sense of it. As I didn’t obey fast enough to suit him, he ~ealled me a kopek.” ; “What does that mean?” __ “J blush for your ignorance, Dick. You’ve been a year in this town and yet you assert that you -- don’t know what kopek means. It has an inno- cent meaning in our language. It is dog. But as applied by these Turks, under the ,circum- stances I was up against, it was a rank insult. - I would have knocked the fellow down only his --gun was cocked and he had it jammed against _ my chest. If I hadn’t prudently retired and said nothing further I’d probably gone to the morgue and the fellow would have been executed in due -- course for shooting.an American citizen—that _ is, an embryo one, for I’m not old enough to vote yet, but his subsequent fate ge have af- forded me or my people at honie any particular satisfaction.” “Well, hurry up. You've got to eat yet. I hope you have no packing to do, for if you have the train won’t wait for you.” “J sha}l take nothing with me but my grip, and _ that is all ready. I will meet you at the station » in ample time to catch the train.” The boys separated in the rotunda, Dick going the consulate and Jack in to breakfast. They “ eame together again at the station, ready. for their journey. e train, consisting of several ~»-flosely barred vans at the head, followed by a number of carriages, stood opposite the station- house, but though the time for starting had nearly come, the engi gine was yet missing. The _ only passengers in the carriage appeared to be officers and officials. The general public were not doing any more traveling than they could help at this time, for a railroad trip possessed attractions of a more strenuous than pleasant nature. Only two days before the Salonica _~ papers reported the discovery, in the nick of ie inne, of a mine planted at one of the spidery- * looking viaducts, which was intended to blow up . the first train that came passing that way. Every bridge and tunnel was guarded by soldiers, but in . spite of that fact it was a toss-up whether a train got through in safety or not. Under such condi- , the reader may wonder that Consul White would send his son to Monastir. As the business ‘was imperative, and of a nature that could not ye trusted to even a clerk, he either had to go elf or send Dick. As, of the two, Dick could best be spared from the consulate, he was se- lect While the boys stood on the platform “waiting for the locomotive to hitch on before ‘taking their places in the hot, stuffy carriages, a file of soldiers appeared driving along a crowd of " looking human beings Jack had or even ed of. Their arms were rh’ behind their backs, and they stag- ed from sheer wenk=ey. Jack inquired of an y =a Re: a $a aa Fe wr, in English, who were. The officer at him. The young newspaper reporter is inquiry in ae she was an-__ LOST IN THE BALKANS 5 tured in a recent fight. When he told Dick, that lad replied: “Don’t you believe it. Those people are Buk garian villagers. They’ve escaped from some massacre, and after starving in the mountains they had to show themselves in the valleys and were caught and brought here by the soldiers. They’re not wanted in this town, and are being sent to Monastir.” They were driven into the vans like sheep and locked in.. The soldiers got into the two follow- ing carriages. Presently the locomotive made its appearance, and three-quarters of an hour after the advertised starting time the train pulled out of the town and started upon its doubtfu! journey. CHAPTER III.—At Monastir. “Say, this train puts me in mind of a country branch line I traveled over once on a time,” said Jack, after they had gone ten miles or so across the Salonica valley at a pace that was exasper- atingly slow at any time, but more so with the temperature at almost boiling point. “I made that trip in August when ‘the blackberries were growing plentifully along the side of the road- bed. Believe me, that train went se slow that I 5 ae and picked blackberries tifl.I got tired of it. “I don’t doubt you,” grinnned Dick. Sarg train slowed down and came to a stop with a jolt. “Now what’s wrong?” said Jack, sticking his head out of one window while Dick poked his-~ out of the opposite one. “We’re at the end of the valley,” said Dick, “and there’s a viaduct ahead—a small, low stone one. See the sentry posted there? He's talking to the conductor. I suppose he’s passing us a warning.” In a few minutes the train went on again. Fifteen minutes later they halted at a village. An official came to their carrriage, examined Jack’s passport and signed it at once when he found out that the young newspaper man was in company with a consular representative. “[’ve saved you some annoyance,” said Dick. “Mere travelers are viewed with suspicion. You see, the officials don’t believe that a plain for- eigner will run the risks of the times merely to view the country, and they are right. Nobody travels nowadays but those who have to, or have some strong object in doing so. The authorities suspect the object of every foreigner, and make things as unpleasant as possible for them. As long as you are with me you will escape this scrutiny unless you deliberately put yourself in the way of it.” _ At every station the boys encountered a weari- some wait. Soldiers crowded around the. train and inspected.the passengers. The boys reeeived more scowls than friendly looks. A few pease got-in and out, and officers exchanged gr ge with comrades in charge of the line. Ata place which Dick told his friend was.Demirkapa tne train stopped so the passengers could get much- needed refreshment. As a whole, the eae: without any exciting incident, and the train went ~ iors a. & -—+
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ft ae the American Consulate 6 through all right. Viewed from a little distance, Monastir presented a smiling picture of green trees, above which towered a few minarets. The sun was sinking when they got to the town, but its last rays were shut off by the great hills which rose gently from this bed of green. At first one had only an occasional glimpse of a red-tiled roof, and little blue spirals of smoke rising into the clear mountain atmosphere. Across. the still air eame the sound of bugles. Along the broad and dusty avenue a crowd of people was streaming toward the little station, which was on the very outskirts of the town., As soon as the train halted the boys got out of the carriage and were starting for the town proper, when they were halted by an official who wanted to see their ‘S- ports. As Jack pulled out his, Dick showed his credentials from the Salonica consulate, and they were quickly passed. “You see there’s magic in being connected with official life,” said Dick. “I don’t know how you’re going to keep out of trouble after we part. If you were merely traveling to get out of the coun- try you would be passed along speedily, for your Toom is more desirable than your company. As long as an ordinary foreigner remains in this hotbed he is liable to be shot by mistake, or oth- erwise, and as the authorities in that case are ~ called on for an explanation and reparation, they want to get him out of the danger zone. As a newspaper correspondent you are liable at any moment to be taken for a spy. If the authorities have any reason for believing that you have ac- quired information that they don’t want. to get ot print, you’ll never escape alive.’ My father told me to warn you on this point, and when you present your letters of introduction to other con- suls, they will advise you to the same effect.” wg dear fellow, I appreciate all you have said,” said Jack. “I know it is the truth, but what am I over here for? It is to get the news, and I am going to get it or bust. I know I am taking my life in my hands. When I left New York I was fully aware that I was not starting on a picnic. I admit that the outlook is a whole lot worse than I dreamed, but having put my shoulder to the wheel, I cannot back out. I am here to do my duty, and after we part, should you never hear of me again, you will know that I died in the execution of it.” XA They were walking up the crowded Main street, _ and the boys spoke low so as to prevent their con- se from ay ty ae Citizens, sol- diers, officers, one a rks, were enjoying the brief spell of twilight. Not one European twiligh ‘ ee was to be seen, either in the streets or in the ; open-air cafes. They themselves wore fezes, though Jack carried a soft cap in his grip f future use. Patrols of armed soldiers marched past continuously, and at every street corner stood sentries. Jack had already become accustomed to the sight of soldiers in every quar- te but their presence never failed to impress im with a feeling of some hidden danger. “They went directly to the best hotel and regi 5 Dick attended to this formality, and was careful * lenogevd their names with a brace, and write 5 at Salonica.” He knew that the r would be and _ the magic of life would allay pooh ee _ Imm thev hired a rig and were ek a eee tice tage: fa Z y J ee a Fix, 5 oe SF lea = x Fags re > 5 LOST IN THE BALKANS driven off to the home of the American consul to whom Dick bare the packet. They received a warm welcome there and stayed to dinner, which was served at the time of their arrival. After spending a pleasant evening they re- turned to the hotel. Dick’s father had told him not to linger in Monastir, but that didn’t mean he was to rush back the next day, which he would have been required to do but for Jack. Next morning Jack was ready for business. He wanted to make a round of the hospitals, for the English newspaper men half filled his ears with stories about the secrets hidden within their walls. “We'll have to get a permit from the proper authority,” said Dick. “Our consul here will get % for you, but take it. from me we will see only e surface and not what you are after.” The permit was obtained and the boys started for the military hospital. Dick was not inter- ested in the unpleasant sights behind the walls, ~but he-went to be company for Jack, who was not so curious about the sights as the chance to in- terview some of the unfortunates lying there. He did not bring a note-book, since he knew that would not be tolerated, but he had a good memory, and he depended on that. We will not dwell on what the boys saw and heard at the hospital. They were accompanied around one of the wards by a doctor. The first patient they saw insisted on showing them a terrible scalp wound wantonly given her by a Turkish soldier, she said, at the burning of the village where she lived. The doc- smiled and told them that the woman was out of her head because of her wound—a fact that did not seem unreasonable. He said a mountain brigand had gashed her,_ and she would have been killed but for the Turk- ‘ — ish soldiers. Her presence in the hospital was evidence enough to show that the soldiers had been good to her, he said, and Jack took his state- ment for what he thought it was worth. Another old woman raised a pitiful howl because she said Jack reminded her of a son she saw to pieces under circumstances which the doctor de- nied. Jack: got the ear of a girlish woman |] enough to learn from her that the soldiers h torn her infant from her arms and tossed it inte the flames of her burning home. After goi through the ward the doctor told them they h seen everything, but the boys knew better. They had only seen the least; but though Jack used his persuasive tongue on the man, they were not per- mitted to go further. After leaving the hospital they strolled up the side of the steep hill where there was a collec- tion of houses bordering on the Turkish cemetery. It was densely packed with human beings, as many as ten families in one room, Jack was in- formed by the first civil sentry he had met. The dwellers were not permitted to leave the small walled-in courtyards before the houses. A small bribe enabled Jack to slip into one of these en- closures, where he learned enough, imperfectly as he heard the stories, to turn his head gray. The boys returned to the consulate, and then went to the hotel for lunch. sAfter the meal Jack gave Dick the slip and went off on his own hook. He put in a strenuous afternoon, but he gained a lot of inside news. How he managed it, with soldiers and spies all around, was little short of a } ¢
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but he aid and escaped scot free. He found Dick a funk over his disappearance. -- “Where have you been?” said Dick. “On forbidden ground. If I told you all your hair would stand on I’m going to do some _ Writing now. You must:start for Salonica in the _ Morning with my letter to the ‘Planet.’ You must - See that it gets out under official cover. The news I am sending would never be allowed to es- _ €ape by cable, or through the mails, in the ordi- _ Mary way.” . e . “Are you going to remain here? “No. To-morrow I head for the Balkans.” . CHAPTER IV.—Jack ys Buto, the Bulgarian. __ After dinner the bo ent out for their last _ Stroll together. Jack Was as gay as though he "" ‘were going to a picnic next day instead of on a tour, the peril of whi¢h was no uncertain quan- tity. Dick, on the contrary, was down in the outh. He was about to lose his new friend and boon companion, and he feared he would never see him again. .. “Oh, cheer up, old man,” said Jack, as they _ Struck the suburbs. “Upon my word, you put me _-in mind of a sore-eyed mule. I wish something Would turn up, if only to scare you into a bet- 3 ca Hy The sentence was interrupted by a scream from _ & house close by. ; : _ “Hello!” cried Jack, “There’s something wrong _ in there. A woman in trouble.” _ _The scream was repeated. ome on,” cried Jack, dashing forward before Dick could s him. 3 ; “He's eatin 8 into trouble,” breathed Dick, in ome alarm; “but I can’t desert him. I wouldn’t De a real American if I did.” BS . He’followed after Jack, who entered the house through the open front door. The screams pro- Ceeded from the front room, and Jack burst in there with little ceremony. He found a thick-set, _ @lderly man trying to defend himself with a chair Against the sword of a Turkish officer, whose ee was inflamed with anger, and whose move- s, fortunately for the attacked one, were im- d by a dark-eyed girl of no little beauty. The elderly man was bleeding from a slight wound on his arm, and as he was being forced into a corner is fate would have soon been sealed but for the rival of the young American. Under the cir- stances Tack saw the necessity of acting first d seeking an explanation of the situation after- The officer was Mustapha of Salonica. Jack could _ your name.” LOST IN THE BALKANS 7 ly would have died with, his boots on then and there, but for his friend Dick, who rushed in and knocked up the weapon. Simultaneously with the movement the revolver went off, and the bullet pierced the ceiling. Jack stepped forward and struck the officer full on the point of the chin with his fist, and he went down, knocked out as clean as a whistle. or smoke! It’s Mustapha Hamet!” gasped ick. . “Well, suppose it is,” replied Jack coolly.. “He hasn’t got more than was coming to him. He Pee have stabbed this old man if I hadn’t inter- ered.” “This is going to lead to all kinds of trouble for.us. We'll have to put up at the consul’s house to-night, and stay there until the matter has been adjusted. To strike a Turkish officer, and Mus- - tapha Hamet of all men, is equivalent to signing one’s death warrant. The-only thing that can ‘protect us is the American flag, and it’s a ques- tion whether that will save your life even after the matter has been explained. You are likely to be shot on sight by one of Hamet’s:men.” “Well, I’ve done my duty, and I ean die but once,” said Jack. At that point the elderly man came forward and seized one of his hands. The girl seized the other and carried it to her lips. “Heaven bless you, my brave boy,” said the man in Bulgarian. ‘“You have saved my life.” “Bless you, bless you!” cried the girl, “you Have preserved my father.” es Jack’s knowledge of the Bulgarian language was so imperfect that they might as well have ad- dressed him in Chinese for all he understood. “T don’t understand you,” he said in French, on the chance that the man understood that lan- guage. He did, and could speak it quite fluently, as could his daughter. He proceeded to thank Jack in that language, and express his eternal grati- - tude. He hurriedly explained that the officer had attacked him because he had resented his insult- ing behavior toward his daughter. “We do not know the man,” he said. “He came in here and made himself at home. He was in- sultingly familiar to my Mira, and when I pro- tested he told me that he had taken a fancy to my child and would purchase her of me for a sum that he mentioned, and take her to adorn ‘his harem in Salonica. If I refused his offer he would see that he got her anyway.” “What a scoundrel!” said Jack. : “IT was incensed at his language, for I am a Bulgarian, and no common one. take an insult from no man. What I said to him aroused his anger, and with an oath he drew his sword and sprang at me. I barely had time to snatch up a chair and parry his thrust. As it was, but-for ~ my daughter I must have been killed, and but for your intervention I could not have escaped. Once more.I thank and bless you.” Fee. “What is your name?” asked Jack. ~~ . “Buto. My daughter is Mira. You «te a for- eigner, either English or American. I would knovr Se. “Jack Wood, American.” ; a relative, Marko my name, who was con- _ with t
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8 LOST IN THE BALKANS his house. That accounted for the fact that he and his daughter happened to be in the house alone. Dick s by in a state of nervous excite- ment, while Jack conversed with the Bulgarian, keeping a close watch on the senseless Mustapha Hamet. He knew that Jack had got himself into a dangerous predicament, and he wasn’t sure but he was in it, too, as his aider and” abettor. “Come, Jack, let us go,” he said. “One moment, old man,” he said. F Turning to the Bulgarian, he asked him what he intended doing under the circumstances. Buto said he proposed to start for his native village in Bulgaria at once. He knew his life, and proba- bly that of his daughter, was not safe now in Monastir. They must start for the mountains without delay, so that by sunrise they would be well on their journey. “As this fellow may regain his senses any mo- ment and prevent you from aoe away, he had better be bound and gagged and taken into a back room,” said Jack. The Bulgarian perceived the necessity of such action, and the mt a helped him follow out Jack’s suggestion. Jack learned they had a carriage and a pair of horses, which had brought them to Monastir, and that they could depart in half an hour. e asked Buto if he could accompany them, as he was bound for the border of Bul- garia. It would be a lift for him, as he had ex- pected to go on foot. Rog “We will be yj glad to have your company, -and I hope * he go to my home and enjoy its hospitality for as long as possible,” said the Bul- garian. - Mira, seemed delighted at the oy of hav- . ing Jatk’s company, and told him at nothing would please her better. : . _. “T-will go to the hotelfor my = and will re- turn in about half an hour, by which time I shall to find you ready to.start,” said Jack. and Dick then po ype after telling Buto to p . lamp in the wi of the room s0 he the house when he came back. . “T leave you to make your explanation and your peace with Mustapha Hamet and the authorities,” said Jack to his friend. “That you ought easily to do as son of the American consul at Salonica, considering you had very little hand in this affair. In fact, Hamet did not have the chance to see you at all, and perhaps will not connect you with his overthrow. By morning I hope to far from here, so you need-not concern yourself about my safety. I have the rascal’s revolver, and intend to keep it as a memento of this strenuous occa- sion.” 7 “Well, Jack, there is no doubt that your safety hinges on your getting as far from Monastir as. ta “yr ‘possible. After what has happened, Hamet will ‘ Jeave.no stone unturned to get Back at you. Once s- beyond the boundary of Macedonia, you will be fairly safe from him, and as you have made a ‘i friend of a well-to-do Bulgarian of the ee - class, I shall feel surer of your safety he r. This affair may turn out to you,” said Dick. ; “T hope so,” replied Jack. “But I mustn’t shout till 'm out of the reach of that rascally Hamet. ; What a nerve he had to insist on buying the Bul- ‘garian’s daughter.” si ell, she’s a mighty pretty girl, with a charm- a a ae pe ee “ar be a ten-strike for ; ang. figure, and female beauty always appeals to a Turk.” 7 A patrol of soldiers came down the street at that moment. The officers scowled at the boys, for in spite of the fez they wore jauntily on their heads, he knew they were foreigners. They duly reached the hotel; Jack got his grip and paid his bill. The clerk behind the counter remarked that he must be going to visit some friend, for it was not possible for him to leaye town at that hour by any public conveyance. “We are going to spend the night at the con- sul’s house, for we leave by train in the morn- ing,” replied Dick, as he paid his own bill. “T wish I were going to leave town, too,” said the clerk, after a cautious’ look around. “This place is——” Well, no matter what he called it, the boys agreed that it wasn’t any too expressive. Then they left the hotel. Dick said he would walk back to the house with Jack, to make sure he did not miss the place, and to see how matters fared witi— — Mustapha Hamet. : “You can take it from me that there will be the dickens to pay in this burgh to-morrow,” said Dick. “The nearest sentry will find himself in hot water for not voing to the house when the shot was fired, though I have no doubt he had strict orders not to quit his post. That doesn’t make any difference. There has got to be a vic- | tim. When the Russian consul was shot and killed in this place some months ago, designedly it was hinted, not only the soldier who shot him was hanged, but his companion, who had no hand in the deed, because he did not prevent the other from shooting. That’s the way things are done, _- for one soldier more or less amounts to nothing.” “As there’s a cordon of troops around the town, do you think we will be able to get away in the carriage?” asked Jack, the matter suddenly oc- curring to him. 5 “The Bulgarian wouldn’t attempt it if he didn’t think he could. As he appears to be a person of some i ghee in his own erie I guess he’s provided against emergencies. our passport should take you through all right, particularly as you are a boy and an Ameri and you have let- ters in your pocket to the consuls at Philippopolis, Sofia and Ke “Yes, and I have a =m from the Inspector- General of Reforms, Jack. obart Pasha,” grinned ~ “The deuce you have!” cried Dick in astonish- ment. “How in creation did you secure that? You must have got it this afternoon.” “I did. I had coffee and cigarettes with his Ex- cellency at his office, and I handed him a f. tale that would have made your eyes bulge you listened to it. I told him that Monastir was the most orderly and quiet town I had struck.” “You told him that?” / “Yes. I told him I had heard all sorts of re- orts of disturbances and cruelties here before I + Salonica, but I was now satisfied they were all lies.” : “Holy smoke! What a nerve you Had!” “I told him there was a/f. impression in America as to the oe and that as my e most important newspaper in New York, and had sent me to learn the truth, E A
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= LOST IN THE BALKANS . 9 _ intended to do my best to correct it, and show the Turk up as he really was.” “What did he say to that?” “He swallowed it beautifully, beamed with pleasure and handed me another cigarette. I asked him to put me wise to certain facts and he did so, from his own standpoint.\\I wrote it all down, and told him it certainly would be print- ed. Then I struck him for the pass. I got it, and it has enabled me to see many things I could got a note of introduction from him to the com- Mandant of troops who are scouring the moun- tains after the insurgents. I’ll bet it will come in handy before the carriage reaches the valley be- : 42” yer You're a wonder, Jack,” said Dick wee i “¥ really believe you'll come out all right, and I'll See you again.” “Sure you'll see me again—some time.” | By that time they had reached the house, from Ree window of which the light shone as a signal. a carriage, to which was attached a pair of stout horses, accustomed to mountain travel, stood in the court-yard, with their driver on the seat. _ The Bulgarian and his daughter were ready to - “start. _ “Well, good-by, old'man,” said Jack, clasping Dick by the hand. ‘ “Good-by, Jack. Good luck go with you. The carriage being a roomy one, Jack found space enough to accommodate him, with Mira be- tween him and her father. The driver’s whip/ _ the mi Balkan range, which formed the south- erm vn of Bulgaria, dividing it from Eastern if B ! ; E i 3 EB S g : be approaching. Jack learned from were several dangerous spots on the as ledges, and narrow passes. The ruck them just as they came to an inn passed. They drove under a shed at back of the inn and remained in the carriage. the storm passed and they were about to servant came out of the inn. It was now Rear dark. The servant approached the carriage : ering ae Be ie i and told them word had been received that a- _ ledge farther on had been struck by lightning and the roadway had fallen into a gorge, leav- ing the road impassable. Just then three soldiers _- €ame out of the iv~ and seeing the carriage, one _, ®f them said to his comrades: “Return and tell our commanding officer there _ &re strangers here held up by the storm.” One of them entered the inn while the other two entered the shed. ~-——s;GHAPTER V.—Trouble to Burn. Jack and his pinces- of not possibly have got access to otherwise. I also - soldiers, however, had some wind matches, and he ignited one. It threw out a bimish flame and lighted up the whole of the interior of the car- riage, and at the same time threw their own vil- lainous countenances into relief. Mira uttered a startled cy and clung instinctively to Jack, to whom she had taken a great fancy. “What do you want?” demanded the Bulgarian. “Get out!” said the fellow with the match roughly. “Who are you talking to, you rascal?” cfied Jack in Turkish. “By the beard.of the prophet, who is this chap who is murdering the Turkish language?”. cried the-soldier, thrusting the match toward Jack. “He is an American consular agent, and you had better beware how you address him,” said Buto, with dignified sternness. The soldier drew back with an expletive of some kind as the match expired in his fingers. All Europeans were cordially detested by the Turks, and Americans were included in the category; still a consular agent had to be handled differ- ently owing to his official standing. The soldiers knew they would be punished if they made any mistake, so they decided to await the coming of their commanding officer. The flashing of a lan- tern in the hand of Keko the servant, heralded his approach. “Who have we here?” he asked, stepping up to the carriage door. ; “Friends,” said Jack. “We carry a pass from the Inspector-General at Monastir.” “Let me see it,” said the officer abruptly. Jack handed him the pass. “Hold up the lantern, dog!” ejaculated the offi- cer to Keko. He read the pass. “This pass is only for one—yourself,” said the officer, noticing that the brief description on it tallied with the boy. “You can proceed. - The others must show their passports.” The Bulgarian showed his. “This passport is not vised, permitting you to leave Monastir: You ought not to be here at all,” said the officer. “Your passport, madam.” Mira handed hers out’and the same objection was raised to it, “T shall have to turn you both back,” said the officer. “You will return to the vilayet under es- cort.” “3 guess not,” spoke up Jack. “They are with me. “T said you could go on,” said the officer. “Exactly and they go with me.” “Impossible.” : “You will stop us at your peril,” said Jack boldly. “IT have my orders.’ I can’t understand hew these people passed the cordon. I shall have to report the matter.” ; “Do you belong to Colonel Ashmet’s command?” said Jack. % “Yes.” = ‘ai inn er Soy. ag Do ag ah From s Tr: eral. you stop this carriage from proceeding I shall report you to him.” ; The officer seemed taken aback a bit.: “Why wasn’t the pass made out to cover the _ three?” he said. * ae we = ‘ : =~ att x es ; Ss = on 2 Pd . a A ee
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10 “Because I did not expect to have company, but as my friends here had arranged to leave town, I decided to travel with them.” “If they intended to leave the vilayet why did they not have their passports vised? It’s a mere formality that every one understands to be neces- sary. . te was too late to have the matter attended to, and they had to leave at once. The chief of police at the next town will rectify the defi- ciency.” é “But I can’t pass them.” “You must. I am an American consular agent, -and I demand that they be permitted to proceed. You cansend an escort with us if you wish.” Jack’s bluff worked, for the officer was not sure of his ground. “JT will pass you, but to avoid getting me in trouble you must explain that owing to the storm you were not held up in the mountains. Other- wise——” z “J will'see to that,” said Jack, so the Bulgarian and his daughter got out of their ticklish predica- ment.” Spiro got the lantern and went forward to ex- amine the ledge. He found that a huge piece of it had been broken off and gone down intc the abyss several hundred feet below. He took sev- eral measurements of the narrowest part of the shelf and returned to the shed. Then he meas- ured the width from wheel to wheel on the out- side and told Buto that they had six inches to ee in passing the break. The Hungarian said e margin wa small for them to make the trip in the carriage, but that Spiro could lead the vehicle carefully around the shelf and they would follow on foot. ; Accordingly, taking the lantern with him, Spiro drove to the beginning of the ledge and stopped. Buto, Mira and Jack out oad the driver got down from his seat. With the lantern in his right hand, Spiro started forward to make the perilous trip, leading the inside horse. The three behind followed the fiashing of the lantern, which they could see under the carriage. The ordinary width of the shelf was about ten feet, though in some «places it was reduced to seven. The lightning It had carried awaya section of the widest part of the shelf, leaving it so narrow that a carriage or other four-wheeled vehicle could bare- ly find the necessary foothold. The darkness pre- ~yented the party from seeing the depths of the wide crevasse which yawned so close to them, but Mira had seen it from the carriage when they “passed that way in the daytime, and she shud- dered and clung to Jack’s arm as they walked slowly along, though now that the storm was over and the wind had calmed down to a mountain breeze, they stood in no particular danger on foot. _ . The shelf ran in and out for some distance, but after Spiro had safely guided the carriage past __ the danger spot, everything went well with them. - . When the road turned away from the further edge of the crevasse the party got into the car- ‘riage and waited till the driver returned the lan- tern to the inn» The way was downhill now, the inn being at the highest point by the road, and F Ie: - ¢ - =} they went along at a smart pace. By and by the _elouds broke away and the rising moon shone down on that side of the mountain and lighted ieterty mere v wav along. It was a =e =e eae > on a ee LOST IN THE BALKANS ‘self, and he amused himself with the wild pan- - the moon’s silvery light. by ge #6, pe ae PEEL, ee from the darkness, not to speak of the storm, which had enveloped their progress for the past two hours. It was now close to midnight. The Hungarian went to sleep in his corner, while his daugnter-allowed her head to rest on Jack’s shoul- der. He encircied her waist with ts arm, and she gradually dozed off to the music of the wheels and the swing of the vehicle. The young newspaper man was not sleep him- orama of mountain scenery. as it showed up under As the minutes wore on this occupation gradually had a somnolent effect upon him, and he, too, fell asleep. The whole © party was suddenly awakened by the abrupt stop- ping of the carriage. The sudden appearance of several soldiers, and the sharp “Dur!” from one of them, had caused Spiro to rein in as quick as he_could. Jack stuck his head cut or the door and saw half a dozen figures, with rifles, blocking the road. -The moonshine glistened on the bayo- nets as they closed in on the horses. “Is this another guard, Spiro?” he asked the_ driver. sai The driver thought it must be. Jack sprang out and walked forward. ‘ & “Show your passports,” said one of the figures, who appeared to be a sergeant. , Jack handed him the Inspector-General’s pass. A wind match was flashed upon it. The soldier was not over-intelligent, but he recognized the signature of Hobart Pasha, and understood that the paper was a pass. That was enough for him. He did not bother further about passports, and told Jack he could proceed. They quickly left the mountain patrol] behind and were not again disturbed till they got among the low foothils with a broad valley before them through whi the railroad ran on its way northward toward Servia. Here they met another guard, but the pass got them through without question. They reached a village in time for breakfast at the inn. Their arrival was quickly conveyed to the chief — of police, who at once sent an officer to look at their passports. They were just sitting down to their rnorning meal when he arrived. He demand- ed their passports. Jack showed the officer his military pass. ; “We have-nothing to do with that,” said the man sharply, returning it. “Hand me your pass- port.’ Jack did so. : “How is this—it is not vised. How did you get here?” he demanded, “By carriage.” “Over the mountains?” “How else?” : “This is decidedly irregular. Your passport, sir and madam,” to the Hungarian and_ his daughter. “These are not vised ,either,” he said, after glancing at them. “You will have to accom-— pene oe at once to the chief of police.” 3 “We will go there after breakfast,” replied Jack, who was hu i : “You will go now,” said the officer brusquely. “Look here, my man,” said Jack sharply, “I am not in the habit of being ordered around strangers. I am in the consular service of United States. Here are letters proving I am ission to Sofia and elsewhere. Now obli out.” ‘
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_ The officer gasped. Such nerve amazed him, but he had heard Americans were full of it, ‘and as Jack’s letters bore the seal of the Salonica consulate, he believed his statement. He knew the Bulgarian and his daughter had no connection “with the consular vice, so he turned his atten- -tion to them again. Jack, however, cut him short. “Tf am traveling with them—making use of their carri ently they are not to be Understand me? Go back to your chief and tell him.” - ; ; _ The officer concluded to take his advice, and went. Another and higher official appeared be- fore they had finished the meal and demanded an examination. Again Jack showed his letters and refused to have anything more to say until they Presented themselves before the chief of police, ‘Which he said they would do in half an hour. They ‘were in the presence of the chief within that time. That official, who was not in good humor, demanded all three passports. They were -hand- to him. * will never do. You must return to Monastir and get they vised,” he said. 3 “T don’t think we will,” said Jack in French. I forgot to get mine mixed up, and as I’m under vhurry orders I don’t intend to go back. If you Stop me, there will be trouble for you. You will from the Inspector-General. I have this from*him which your officer ignored at the | indly vise my passport, and also those of My friends here, and that will end the matter amicably.” i i The chief glared at the. boy with ill-concealed med Giaour!” he muttered under his As Jack seemed not at all disturbed by ‘ dignity, and as the chief conceded that . might get a reprimand for holding up a con- -Bular agent en route on important business, he Pulled the boy’s passport toward him and vised it. _.. “Thank you,” said Jack coolly. “Now attend to the others, please.” “No!” thundered the officer. “You are at lib- a to go on your way, but these people return e r escort.” - __ Not at all,” said Jack. “Lam using their car- _ “Take the carriage and go.” __ “And do you expect them to walk?” “Tt is none of your affair.”. _. “Well, I am making it my affair. I want you to vise their passports.” : “The chief positively refused to do so, and called ‘frp tice to conduct the Hungarian and Mira Ri to the inn. Jack said nothing until they ee gone, then looking the chief-in the eye, he . Do you recognize the authority of Colonel LOST IN THE BALKANS 11 five minutes he and Jack were on excellent terms. The result of it was that he official decided to overlook the irregularity in the other passports and vise them so that the Hungarian and his daughter could proceed with Jack. The boy then expressed the pleasure he felt in meeting with so gentlemanly and accommodating an official, and assured the chief that he would, on his return, speak a good word for him to the Inspector-Gen- eral. The chief beamed, shook hands with the young American, and Jack went back to the inn in high spirits. CHAPTER VI.—Under Arrest. He found Buto and Mira wearing an anxious and discouraged look. The two officers were watching them. Jack walked up to one of them and handed hitd a paper. After reading it he spoke to his companion and they immediately left the inn. “T suppose we must return,” said the Hun- garian, in a resigned tone. “By no means,” said Jack cheerfully. “Follow me to the carriage. We go on at once.” “But our passports have been taken from us and we are under orders to go back to the vilayet of Monastir.” “Here are Your passports properly vised. We shall have no further trouble with them,” said Jack. Buto and Mira looked their astonishment. P “How did you manage it?” she asked in won- er. “A little soft-soap ontop of my nerve accom- plished the trick. Allow me to escort you out- side,” said the young American. “You’re a wonder,” said the Hungarian admir- ingly. ‘I’m an American. Our productions go every- where, even to Turkey, and where they go we go. I never allow difficulties to down me if I can help it—neither do my countrymen, as a rule. That’s why we are the greatest nation under the sun, with all due respect to the others who gen- erally have to follow where we lead. Let me help you in, Miss Mira. It isa pleasure to wait on so pretty and cae gi girl.” Mira smiled and blushéd, and tapped him fa- miliarly on the cheek. - They had a pleasant drive across the valley and stopped for dinner at a place called Uskub, where their passports were demanded and found to be all right. Jack enter- tained Mira and her father with stories and de- scriptions of divers parts of the United States, | and gave them some insight into his past experi- ences as a reporter on the “Planet.” They in re- turn regaled him with life in Bulgaria, and par- | ticularly in the mountains where they lived, and where Buno was the head man of the village, a as they were, to reach the Bu ian border, : away, _“What’s this mean?” demanded Jack, -
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12 nounced that they were to be taken before the chief of police at once. Jack put up his usual bluff, but it didn’t go worth a cent this time. They were marched away like politica] prisoners and taken before the chief. There Jack renewed his bluff. The chief was extremely polite. He was sorry, but he had been advised by telegraph to catch and hold them until a military escort ar- rived from the railway to take charge of them. “But I am a consular agent,” said Jack. “This hold-up is going to make all kinds of trouble for you and the person who is responsible for your action.” ; . The chief expressed his regret that he was com- Scag to follow out his instructions, which came rom Nazir Pasha and were imperative. Should it be shown that a mistake had been made he would apologize in the most profse way. In the meanwhile he would be indulgent—he would not send them to prison, as he ought to do, but would permit them to return to the inn and remain there under guard. - “That’s all very nice,” said Jack. “I appreciate your kindness and generous treatment. You Turks are certainly the finest men in the world.” The chief smiled and bowed. “Have a cigarette, chief?” Certainly the chief would have one, and do his young American prisoner the honor of smoking with him. In fact, if the young man would pass his word not to try to give him the slip he would accord liim the freedom of the town for the time being. This Jack declined to da, for his mind was bent on making his escape and taking his friends with him. How he could manage such a thing in the face of what he was up against was more than he could tell just then. However, as he had told Mira and her father that afternoon, he nev- er allowed difficulties to daunt him. After a short social chat with the chief—the Hungarian and his daughter having been returned to the inn —Jack requested permission to call on the French consul, as there didn’t happen to be an American functionary of that kind in the place. He was iously permitted to do so under the escort of 0 officers who had strict orders not to lose him. The consul received him politely, and Jack ex- plained what he ee two- friends were up against. “Tf we are taken back to Monastir, Buto and If are likely to be shot by accident, and Miss : Mira carried off to Mustapha Hamet’s harem. We must escape before the military escort reaches this place and takes charge of us. Have you a - man on your premises you can trust who speaks Bulgarian?” : ; “T have, but I dare not act contrary to the au- be ace 5 It would ruin me here and lead to my recal 99. % ~ “Tt is not necessary that you identify yourself with us, monsieur. Let your man carry a verbal -message-from me to the driver of our carriage. ‘He ought to be able to de that without causing suspicion. Spiro, the driver, is not under arrest, said I es we can get aeay sea this town ~ in spite re police,” said Jac _ The cea chntidera® ke finally gave his con- SS Sei ee LOST IN THE BALKANS fulness o y it is possible he. is watched. He is a- Z ghee fellow and devoted to his master. With that should not excite suspicion. Jack confided the message to him. This was for Spiro to get the carriage away from the inn yard, take it to a certain place on the-suburb and wait there for his master, Mira and Jack to appear. Then it was to be a race for the border. Jack then re- turned to the inn with the officers, who turned him over to the officer of the guard at the inn. Mira looked at the young American expectantly, for he had-hitherto been so successful in getting them out of trouble that she fully expected he would manage as well this time. He quickly un- _ deceived her. : : “Stratagem only can save us now, and I have _ set the ball rolling,” he said. “It largely depends | on Spiro whether we get away or not.” Then he told her about his plans. A few min~. . utes later he took the Hungarian aside and told him to ask the landlord for.a room where Mira- could lie down, as she was greatly fatigued. One was placed at her disposal on the floor above. Shortly afterward he saw Spiro driving out of the — inn yard. He was stopped by a police officer, but : whatever excuse he gave the man he was allowed _ to go on his way. The plot was proceeding nicely, _ but the next move was.up to Jack—that was to _ get out of the inn with his friends without the nowledge of the guard. It was going to take his ingenuity, still he expected to do it. While — he was trying to figure out all the details of his plans, the town was thrown into intense excite- ment by the report that war had been declared *on Turkey by Bulgaria and her allies, and that the Servian and Bulgarian armies were advancing Greeks | into the country from the north. The were also advancing from the south. Then Jack learned that, in expectation of this crisis, a large force of Turks had been massed in the vicinity. The road he intended to take if he and his friends got away he found was covered and occupied by a division of the Turkish forces. As this force was spread out to the right and left for several miles, they would have td make a wide detour and make for either Servia or Eastern Roumelia. Fifteen minutes later he discarded the Servia- plan, for report said that already the Servian army had entered Macedonia and defeat- ed the advance line of the Turks in that direc- tion. As the moments passed the excitement in- creased. Most of the Turkish soldiers in that vi- cinity had hastily broken camp and were march- ing northward to support their comrades. The excitement, which had by this time reached fever — pitch, pret into the hands of Jack. The watch- their guards had relaxed in their eager- _ ness to hear the news and rumors flying about the town. The next news Jack heard was the arrival of a train with part of a Turkish army corps. A — second train was following with more soldiers. Jack wondered how the military guard, which he understood was on the way to take him and his friends back to Monastir, could carry out i orders. Under the sudden changed condition of things it seemed foolish to consider that the affair in which they figured-would cut any ice. The ~ breaking out of hostilities would naturally be ex-_ pected divert Nasir Pasha’s attention from
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decided on his course of action. The military guard might arrive any moment, and as the rail- road was in possession of the authorities for the transportation of troops, they, the prisoners, Would probably be compelled to walk back to Monastir. Jack suddenly gave Buto the sign to follow him. The police guard did not observe their disappearance from the room, or paid no at- door without their knowledge. They walked up- _ Stairs to the landing above. ; _ “Bring your daughter out of her room,” said ; Bute found Mira asleep, and quickly aroused -her. They joined Jack in the empty corridor. e young war reporter led the way down a cross corridor to a window overlooking the yard. Here he found the ladder Spiro had been directed to place there before leaving. _ “Follow me,” said Jack, after seeing that the coast was clear apparently. Hardly had they reached the yard. when a po- 2-officer called on them to halt. © : ~ “T’ve caught you,” he said, drawing his revolver. ow, right about and march out front.” : es _- Mira gave a half scream and grasped her fa- ~ther’s arm. Quick as a flash Jack sprang at the cer and knocked him staggering with a blow of his fist, then drawing his revolver he reversed it and put the policeman to sleep with a blow on the head. Picking up his weapon, he handed it to Mira. Then te placed the !adder against the ‘Stable roof and bade his friends mount it. Dart- ing back to a window which commanded the in- erior of the inn, he looked in. Standing in the Yroom, backed by half ‘a dozen soldiers, he saw Mustapha Hamet. Of course, the rascal had “We didn’t start to leave a moment too soon,” uttered the boy as he retreated to the ladder and joined his companions on the roof of the CHAPTER ‘VII.—In the Face of Death. __ The ladder was hauled up and dropped down into the dark and narrow street behind the stable. They descended, and then, as they hurried up the ‘Street, Jack told them about the presence of Mus- apha Hamet and his soldiers at the inn. Mira ras greatly frightened. _ “You will both be shot if he catches us,” she ed, as much alarmed for the young American’s ety as for her father. itement,” said Jack reassuringly. 5 _ Entering the cross street they found it full of _ townspeople who were too much enpacrd: with the war news to pay any attention to them. They hurried along toward -the rendezvous, where Spiro | the carriage awaited them. It was some alk, for the place was on. the suburbs near a ined building they had passed comin t they there at last, and found the car- ze Se in the shadow of the ruins. Spiro s not in sight, but he appeared as soon as he zed them. Jack helped Mira in, aparetie 3 Jack came last. § } LOST IN THE BALKANS tention to it, as no one could get past the street” _ “Don’t worry. We’ll make our escape in all this 13 After leaving the town well in the rear, Spiro reined in to receive explicit directions. Jack could give him none, for he had no knowledge of the country. Buto, after consulting with Jack, told his man to-make for the Eastern Roumelian bor- der, keeping well to the east. Spiro said he would do his best, but he would have to make inquiries along the route, and he feared they would be stopped by the soldiers. Three hours later as they were skirting a small village, sunk in darkness and silence, for it was after two in the morning, one of the forward wheels sank into a deep rut with a shock and the front axle snapped in twain. This was a most unfortunate accident, for it brought their flight to a sudden end for the time being. It was impossible to “do anything till morning toward-having a new axle put in. Chey would have to remain there all night. It was not deemed prudent to seek out the inn and arouse the inmates at that house, so they took posses- sion of a deserted cottage close by which they found partly furnished. Spiro looked after the horses and the party slept fill daybreak. The driver then hunted up a blacksmith and brought him to examine the injury. < The vulean said he couldn’t furnish a new axle right away, but he would repair the broken one with a binding of iron, which he declared would hold as well as a new axle. It would take him a couple of hours, and he would start right in on the job. The carriage was jacked up with wood so that the broken axle could be removed. The wheels were stood up against the house, and the blacksmith went away. As it was not deemed ad- visable for the party to go to the small inn at the place for breakfast, the driver was sent to se- cure food. Apparently the people of the village had not heard the war news, for there was no unusual excitement in the place when Spiro ap- peared at the inn. There were no guests at the plate, and the coming of the driver was haiied with satisfaction by the proprietor until he » learned that the man didn’t intend to put up there. The proprietor was curious to learn who he wanted the food for, and Spiro had to admit that it was for his master and party, who could not come to the inn because their vehicle had broken down. He assured the inn-keeper that they would be there as soon as the carriage had been re- paired, but this was only a bluff. Shortly after- ward the news arrived that war had been de- clared, and this was soon followed by the appear- ance of a Turkiish column of infantry on its way to the front. Half an hour later a Turkish bat- tery arrived and halted to rest the horses. In the distance another brigade of troops were mov- ing forward. ; From the looks of things the-Turks were ail ready to fight the moment the tocsin sounded. As the allies in the north were also fully prepared to invade Turkish territory, if they had not alre done so, the prospect of a battle seemed wee Two hours went by and Spiro went to see how the axle was gettiing on. It was almost ready. He remained at the little shop till the last rivet was fastened and then accompanied the black- smith back with it. The axle was put in place, the wheels fixed on and then all was ready to go forward. The party was anxious %& get away, for rs they saw a detachment of soldiers fae : the direction cf the town they 7 ~~ eS - oe.
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te ‘Giaour’s life for striki 14 Spiro and Jack put the horses into the traces, and then the Bulgarian and his daughter came out of the house to get into the carriage. At that mo- ment a squad of soldiers headed by an officer came rushing out from the side street that led tothe inn. With ejaculations of dismay the party recognized Mustapha Hamet. The sharp eyes of the rascally Turk singléd them out. “Aha, you old dotard, I have you at last!” cried Mustapha Hamet, rushing at the group with up- raised fist, followed by his men. The old Bulgarian did not bulge an inch. He regarded the Turkish officer with scornful defi- ance. “Seize them!” cried Hamet. In another moment they were surrounded by the soldiers. “You thought to escape me, did you?” sneered the Turk, with a look of triumph. “That was not possible, for I have a long reach.” “What do you intend to do with us?” asked Buto. — ‘ “What I choose. War has been declared by your country against us, and you are my pris- oner, since we are enemies.” ; “We are non-combatants, proceeding peacefully So this country in an endeavor to get out of it. e cannot rightfully be detained as prison- ers.” - “Cannot, eh? You have no rights at all. If I ge to have : er that oe yonetted right no one question m ion.” “T am an American and connected with the consular service. I demand to be released at once,” said Jack. ¢ Hamet grinned savagely at him. : “J’]] release you, you young Giaour,” he hissed. “You struck me down in that house in the vilayet of Monastir. A Turk never forgives a_ blow. Here, my men, take the dog, stand him up against yonder wall and shoot him.” F Two soldiers pulled the lad away from the others and marched him toward the wall, while the rest of the soldiers cocked their rifles and pre- pared to carry out Hamet’s orders. With a scream Mira rushed forward and threw herself at the feet of the officer. : “Spare him, oh, spare him!” she cried hys- terically. ; “Aha! You are interested in him, are you?” “Do not shoot him, oh, do not!” she cried, with streaming eyes. “One would think it was your father I had or- dered shot. Hold on a moment, my men,” he added, as the soldiers raised their rifles. The guns came down again. “If I spare him, will you consent to go to Sa- lonica with me?” he sai “No, no; do not ask me to do that.” “Unless you consent, and your father consents, his execution will follow the boy’s, and then you shall go there whether you will or not. I simply give you the —_ of accepting your fate willingly. Although I have sworn to have that ae I de i him our father depart for mountains if you caumes te become a willing bride of the harem.” ¥ me, oh, spare me!” man th at once.” = = fous, moagpenguick! I have no time to dally . = , —_ é LOST IN THE BALKANS “Scoundrel!” cried the Bulgarian. The Turk eee sardonically. Hae them! Save them! I consent,” screamed ra. “Never!” cried Jack, springing away from the wall, drawing his revolcer and covering Musta- pha Hamet. “Make a move to shoot me, you ras- cals, and I'll ‘ill your officer. I am a dead shot, and if I have to die he will go first.” Hamet started back with an exclamation of con- sternation. “Shoot!” he cried to his men. “Move an eyelash, you Turks, and he dies!” eried Jack. The soldiers remained passive, for they knew the importance of their officer. “You see, they dare not fire,” said Jack. “Now, then, Buto, take your daughter and flee in the carriage. Don’t hesitate a moment. It is only chance to save her and yourself. wees mind me. You can’t help me by sacrificing your- ee. Gol” “No, no!” screamed Mira. “I won’t leave : I will die with you! I love you!” ™ She would have rushed forward and thrown herself into Jack’s arms, and thus have spoiled everything, but for her father’s restraining arm. - Peay Jack Wood,” said Buto. “You die a hero. He seized his daughter and bore her sc to the carriage while Jack held the situation in hand. The officer writhed with rage. He was not a coward, and yet he loved life, for he had much ~ to live for. He knew by Jack’s eye, even more © than from his words, that the boy would surely kill him before his soldiers could move a hand to save him. What was the use of sacrificing his life uselessly? He would pursue the carriage and retake the girl, for they had a long distance to travel to reach safety, and they were liable to be held up anyway before they had gone many miles. He would presently have the satisfaction of hay- ing this young American killed. Shooting was now too easy a death for him. He should. be slowly bayonetted to death, and the coup de e delayed as long as possible. A rush of wheels and stamping of hoofs announced the departure — of the carriage. The girl’s cries had ceased, for she had fainted in her father’s arms. “Now, Mustapha Hamet,” said Jack, “order your men to right about and march down the road. Do asI say or I pull the trigger. I know I have no chance here, so don’t tempt me by a moment’s indecision.” : With a muttered imprecation the officer gave the order. The men shouldered their arms and marched off. ow then, turn around yourself,” commanded ac Wholly in the boy’s power, the officer obeyed, rs , but reluctantly. He felt degraded in his own but his life was at stake. There was no in being shot down like a dog by an ac Giaour. % “March! If you turn about your doom is sealed,” said the young American. ; Mustapha Hamet had taken scarce a dozen steps when a squad of Turks suddenly appeared — from a the cottage. “Shoot that boy behind me!” -he roared to the \
Page 16
“What boy? I see none,” answered the man. ' The oficer wheeled around and looked. The young American had vanished. Mustapha Hamet hhouted to his own men to come back, and soon red-hot search was being made for the news- paper reporter. CHAPTER VIII.—In the Balkans. _. We must pass over several months—months of “war and awful carnage on both Sides. The Turks ‘had welcomed the war, boasting that they would “speedily overrun the countries of their enemies -and win the war with ease. The reverse had ‘been the case so far. And what about Jack ood? Mustapha Hamet and his men, though ‘they made a thorough search of all the neighbor- theod where he disappeared, and extended it all over the village, failed to find him. He found a _ secure hiding-place in a dry drain, and remained “there all day. When night came he ventured cautiously forth and ‘eft the village, taking the ee reute followed by the carriage. Mustapha Hamet “wasted so much time looking for“the boy that when he finally bethought himself of the pretty Zulgarian, she and~her father were beyond pur- ‘it, and within the boundaries of Eastern Rou- % 5 ps] ja. : ’ The girl on recovering her senses went frantic over the fate of the brave boy who had saved them at the presumed cost of his own life, and she sobbed out her grief on her father’s shoulder for a long time. The Bulgarian tried to console ~ her with the statement that the boy had died a - hero, and that he had adopted the only possible ~eeurse that was open. Spiro guided the carriage _ to safety, and next day they were in the Balkans. Jack, unacquainted with the hostile country he was in, could not guide himself as he wished. After several days of hair-breadth escapes he was ~ held up by-an outpost of the Bulgarian army on . urkish soil. He was taken to the guard-house, and then before the general in command. . The fact that he was an American and a non- -- eombatant was apparent, and he was released. - He showed his credentialesad a war correspondent ‘and secured permission to remain with the army. He was not allowed, however, to go within sev eral miles of the front. He tried to evade this command, but found it stringent, and he either had to bow to it or leave. No other war reporier had any advantage of him in that’ respect. In fact, he had the adyantage of being the first on e ground, though not for long. Although the spaper men were debarred from getting close _ to the actual fighting line, they had -citement sometimes in dodging the shells thrown from the modern long-range Turkish guns. * War isn’t what it used to be fifty years ago. In e days the war artist could get close enough battle or skirmish to stretch its salient fea- s, and the newspa writer could gallop in range of the bullets und still escape scot if he was not unlucky enough to stop one. days the up-to-date rifle carries death with- radius of a mile or while high-power Tecord of dead and wounded lat é Ba AE" S LOST IN THE BALKANS lenty of ex- - 2 “called safe in the midst of a ete 15 words he had heard from her lips, “I won’t leave you. I will die with you. I love you!”. on the thrilling occasion when he had all but sacrificed himself to save her and her father, lingered in his mind. He had no knowledge of whether she and her father had escaped or not. He trusted they had. When the war was over he intended to hunt up the Balkan village where they lived and see if they had come out all right. is they had he did not doubt but he would get a royal reception. Jack found it. necessary to change about as con- ditions altered. For a while he was with the Servian forces. All his dispatches, of course, were censored, and they went through in the shape that pleased the powers that had control of the army news. He kept a private record of Peetyehing he suspected would cut out, but a great deal more was cut and altered than he had = idea of at the time. owever, he kept the “Planet” informed up to the minute through its London office, where all his reports went first, and the rest of the war news -was obtained through the big press agen- cies that had correspondents all over the seat of the war. Jack was back with the Bulgarian army —one of them—when he was wounded by a piece of shell fired seven miles away. He was taken to one of the field hospitals, and as war reporters - ‘were not particularly in favor beeause they were non-combatants, he was sent to one of the hos- pitals at Philoppopolis. Here he remained sev- eral weeks recruiting his strength. When he felt fully recovered he decided, as he was not far from the Balkans, to pay @ flying visit to the village of ' the Bulgar, for during the time he had been out of the excitement of the war zone he had more time to think about Mira, and her image, coupled with her last words, made a growing impression on his oung heart. He made inquiries about the vil- age, and after some trouble learned that it was situated in the very heart of the Balkans. He « hired a carriage to take him to the town nearest — to the great range, and, on arriving, put up at a second-rate hotel. Kiva was the name of the Bul- ‘ gar’s village, and he found it was well known to the proprietor of the hgtel. “How shall I get there?” asked Jack. “You will need a horse used to mountain travel and a guide, as you are not familiar with the Sa ta I can procure both for you,” said the land- ord. - “Do so. 1 wish to start right away.” “They will be on hand in the morning.” Jack still carried the grip he brought with him from Sulonica, but it showed every evidence of hard service. It had been mauled and kicked around while he was with the army at the front, and only lacked a few bullet holes to complete its interesting appearance. His trunk had been taken — charge of byDick White and removed to his — home. Jack wondered how Dick was getting on; and how the war affected things at Salonica. Probably Consul White had long since received word from New York to the effect that the “Planet’s” young war reporter was alive and kicking at the last accounts, and so Dick felt as- sured of his safety so far as any one can be he is oa ticipating as a non-combatant. == - Ja found Bulgarian villages, so far as he had a cae Mee eae aad Baty es > Sask So ie : Pers 7 sre, oe ES great war, in which
Page 17
= 16 met with them, considerably different from the Macedonian villages he had passed through during his flight with Bufo and hjs daughter from Mon- astir. Though the same race of people populated Macedonia, yet the Turks had forced every spark of manliness out of them. It was the wails of the tortured that aroused the Bulgars to ac- tion and precipitated to a large extent the Balkan War. Morning came, the guide and horses were ready, and Jack started on his journey to Kiv in mingled hope and fear, as to whether he woul meet the companions of his memorable flight across Turkish territory. . It was not till well along in the afternoon that they struck the foothills of the mighty Balkans, a range noted for its weird grandeur and fearful lonesomeness, except where one. stumbles upon some quaint village, apparently lost to the outside world. Night was coming on when they suddenly opened up a large and prosperous-looking village. It was their roosting place for the night, and Jack had been on the lookout for it, as his guide told him they were approaching it, They put up at the principal inn, where they were treated to a fine supper and good beds afterward. Jack had little chance to view this place, as he was routed out early to resume his trip. Soon after leaving the village they struck a mountain torrent, which they followed through a dense and gloomy forest pf pines, with here and there limpses of mountains rising almost perpendicu- a above them. They came out in a wild ravine, up which the horses climbed for two hours before the end was reached. They now encountered a light carpet of snow, which hung upon the branches of the trees, but the path seemed clear to the guide, who had often been over the road. The further they proceeded the more intricate the way looked to J but as the guide appeared to be in no way disturbed, Jack didn’t worry. They carried a supply of provisions with them, for the guide said a would not reach another village that day. This meant they would have to roost out in the biting cold of the mountain fastnesses, but the guide assured them that they would not suffer greatly since he knew of a cave where they would stop, and with a fire they would be quite comfortable, at least in his opinion. Soon after mid-day they came out on a ridge heavy with snow, and through this the horses ploughed their way. Fortunately the sky was clear and they had the full benefit of the sun, which warmed the sharp, bracing air. All around stretched naked, _cold mountains, deép in snow, presenting a mag- nificent view, but Jack’s thoughts were wrapped up in Kiva and Mira Buto. - : “How long have we got to travel over this ridge?” asked Jack, at length, for there seemed to no end to that white plain many thousand feet above sea level. There was not a human be- ing or habitation within sight, and the loneliness of the place was almost appalling. “Not far,’ said the guide. “Maybe an hour yet, I am not sure. We are fortunate to have a fine day and —— aa Pg hgh storm or - wind would hide this path | ive minutes, an then we would be at sea and might easily stumble to a crevasse two or three hundred feet deep.” _ “And is this the r route to Kiva?” “No. This is the short cut. You told me LOST IN THE BALKANS ~ of slow starvation. With a never-say-die look on — 3 ‘wanted to reach the village as soon as possible.” = and - “T didn’t mean I was in such a tremendous rush that you should take the most unpleasant of the two routes.” “Tt will save us a day or more.” . “I’m sorry you took it, for I’m sick of this weird solitude.” “The other is scarcely less lonesome, though we would be more apt to meet with people.. This route is not popular with the natives unless they are in a hurry, which is not usually the case.” “The sun is sinking fast and it is growing cold- rr “We have an hour and a half of light yet before us. * “Suppose we are overtaken by night here, could you find your way?” “Oh, yes, for the path is quite clear. To-night a stars will shine and we shall not want for ight.’ - Jack was glad to hear it, for to be up in those — solitudes under a black“sky would nave ban any- thing but pleasant. So they toiled on, reaching the top of the ridge and began their descent into the gloomy depths of the range. The trip down the mountain was like a nightmare to Jack. It was too steep and far too dangerous to ride, so they had to walk and lead their animals. Fortu- nately, the horses were sure footed, being accus- tomed to the mountains, or there would have been | a mix-up with unpleasant results. The sun was below the distant peaks, and darkness was com- ing on apace when they reached the mountain cave referred to by the guide. — 5 That individual lost no time building a roar ing fire, which they afterward kept up with the wood that lay plentifully about them, and around the cheerful blaze they ate their supper. The guide pulled out his pipe and, filling it with 4 bacco, was soon smoking away with the ntmost /| content. He did not feel the chill of the cold mountain air ay much as the young American, and, pe ges in a warm cloak, hugged the fire as close as he could. His name was Angelico, and he certainly looked at it that moment. Jack, weary after the worst day’s travel he had ever made in his life, dropped off to sleep while his companion was talking to him, blissfully uncon- scious of what was before him. When he awoke his bag was gone and a note — lay upon the ground stating that Angelico, his — guide, how flown the coop, taking all with him Jack was in a nice pickle. There was nothing for Jack to do but start out on his own hook, so he did so. All he had to eat on his way were some berries he gathered beside the trail. He plodded on through thé mountain wilds, knowing not where he was. Toward night he came across another cave and entered, made a fire. Sleep did not come to him that night. He heard wolves outside, but the fire kept them from entering. Utterly fatigued he at last fell into a doze. CHAPTER IX.—The Luck of a War Reporter. There was no breakfast for Jack when he awoke — inthe morning. Unless he struck some village by — accident, or a lone habitation of a mountaineer, — before night, he would begin to feel the tortures his fine-looking-face, he entered the dark woods and pushed ahead. Not a sound broke the still se id { ~*~ ‘
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é - ness but the crackling of the twigs under his feet. Not the suspicion of a breeze stirred the tree-tops. - Only at rare intervals he caught sight of a shaft - of sun-light. The woods put him in mind of the _ famous Black Forest in Germany, about which he _ had read, and he wondered if it was any darker than this one in the daytime. He ran across more of the same red _ ber- ries. Indeed he had seen them often since leav- ing the first cave the morning previous. Every time he looked on them he thought of Angelico, and vowed to get square with him if he were so Juck as to make his eseape. Noon came and Jack was as hungry as any well-grown boy with a healthy appetite. Still he had not met with the faintest sign of anything indicating that he was drawing near a house or a village. He walked sturdily on, wondering how long a person could tramp through-that range without encountering a human being. Certainly without food he couldn’t tramp much farther. He finished the last drop of water, but came upon another stream, at which hé replenished his canteen and drank as much as he could. This eased the pangs of hunger for a while, and he kep#on at a swinging gait till the ground rose again. So the afternoon wore away, _and with the dread of darkness and the wolves before his mind he suddenly came upon a hut. He uttered a shout of joy at the sight. The hut, - however, looked deserted, for there was no sign of life about it. Jack pounded on the closed door, _ but received no response. He pushed the door a. mn, for it had no fastening of any kind, and entered. ‘The interior bore every sign of occu- a pancy, and the lost boy decided to remain there till the owner appeared, to whom he would state his ‘predicament, if he could make himself under- stood, and him to pilot him out of the wilder- around the place, and found a number of cakes of maize, a stone flagon of wine, half of a native He até as much as he wanted, and then, feel- ing like a new boy, he sat down to wait for the "to appear. Then Jack secured the door, after as lighting a fire inside to warm the place. An hour came into the clearing where the hut was, and _ surrounded it. For another hour they kept up sniffing around the bottom of it. They made no = and finally started off else-, ness. In the hope of finding food he looked cheese, arid other eatables. coming of the man. Darkness fell and he failed passed and then he heard the wolves again. They their discordant cries, coming to the door and possession of the bunk and “J hate to leave, because he’s sure to come some ~ time, and will doubtless consent to guide me to the - nearest village,” said Jack. | boy ate his heat. His curi- Sy cores ae rere te LOST IN THE BALKANS it 1x: rubies and other precious stones. As little as he knew about the value of such things, he easily saw he had discovered a fortune. Surely such wealth could not belong to a poor mountaineer. How then had the owner of the premises come in possession of it? Had he stolen it from some traveling dealer in gems after murdering the man, perhaps? The Balkans hardly seemed the place for an unattend- ed dealer to travel through with such a large stock. Where, then, had the gems come from? It was a poser, and Jack didn’t bother thinking out an answer to it. He looked the gems carefully ~ over in the candle light and was satisfied they were worth a let of money. Then he put the box aside and lighted a fire. He had his supper, such as it was—the fourth time he had tackled the same bill of fare—and once more amused himself with the glitter of the gems. A piece of thin parchment fitted to the bottom of the box, and Jack did not disturb it till he no- ticed there was writing on it. Then he dug it out and found that the writing was quite unin- telligible to him. It was either Arabic, Sanskrit, or something of that kind. At any rate, it wasn’t Greek, nor Turkish, nor Bulgarian, no¥ any mod- ern language. “He was about to replace it when he noticed there was writing on the back, Jack was surprised to find it was English, written in a fine hand. It ran as follows: “I am lost in the Balkans, and without food or water I can get no further. To-night the wolves will get me and that will be my finish. This box of gems, worth, I judge, over $10,000, has been my undoing. I took it from a tomb at Adrianople, where it has been hidden for a hundred years or more. I discovered the box by accident, but my presence in the mosque being discovered, I was followed and narrowly escaped arrest. I had to fly to save myself. I was dogged by two sagen’ Turks wherever I went, and finding I could not avoid them in the ordinary way, I came to the Balkans. They followed me, but I lost t).em among the passes, and in the end I lost myself, and this treasure will do me no good. Some day it will be found with what is left of my bones, and % I hope the finder will have better luck than I have had with it. The writing on the reverse is in Arabic. It probably gives the history of the gems, for I found it in the box. I could not read it. And now all I ask of the person who finds this is——” ai The rest was jllegible. Jack thought it might be deciphered with the help of a strong fags 3 ing glass. After some consideration he put the ay wy in his pocket, dumped the\gems into is berry-stained handkerchief, filled the dilapi- dated tin case with pebbles, jammed the cover back so it held, and shoved it under the bottom of the fire he had built, after covering it thickly with dead ashes. Then he went to bed. He was not disturbed during the night, and, making a bundte of the remaining food, he started off early in the morning, hoping to run across other habitations if not a small village, that day. He proceeded te cheerfully, for he had food enough to last ee days by economizing it, and his water-bottle was once more full. f sige “This is a mighty strange adventure after all,” = : ; s ee a.
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Ww he thougni as he walked along. “I have found a fortune in gems in the wilderness, and have so * far escaped death myself owing to my luck in chancing upon that hut. I am beginning to be- lieve that I shall get out of my muddle after all. I have tramped a considerable distance, and I think it is time I came across some evidence of ordinary civilization. At any rate, I’m good for three or four days more, and within that time somethinig ought to turn up.” Nothing turned up that day, though he covered *many miles of rough ground. He was still.as much lost-in the Balkans ‘as on the morning he woke up and found that Angelico, his guide, had treacherously abandoned him to his fate. That night he took the precaution to roost among the branches of a stout tree. He was down in the depths of the range where the weather was not so cold as he had at first experienced it, though it was chilly enough at night for a thick cloak to be comfortable. Next day, with his provisions. somewhat re- duced, he marched on again. His shoes were showing signs of going to pieces under the rough usage they were subjected to. About noon he came across another hut, but there was nothing in it to speak of. The owner had abandoned it for good. Soon after leaving the hut, where he rest- ed for an hour.and ate a frugal meal, he came upon a pass. This showed signs of travel by man and beast. Jack felt greatly encouraged. Walk- ing was easier here, for the ground was nearly on a eal. and there were no obstructions in the way. The pass widened out into a sort of amphitheater, and here he found a lake, which he had to go around, _ : It took an hour to do that, and then he entered a second pass. This, like the first, was bordered _ by frowning battlements of rock, some of which looked as if they were-ready to topple over at any moment, and yet they had stood the storms of a century or more. Night caught the boy on a plain between two passes. There wasn’t a tree to climb, nor a cave to retreat to, nor was there any wood within easy reach to start a fire. If the _ wolves came down on him his fate was sealed. He pledded on, a moving shadow in the semi-dark- ‘ness. All around.him the Balkan mountains tow- - ered toward the sky, though here their peaks were miles apart. oe ack was tired and the evening well advanced, he never thought of rest- iing on that plain. It might-have been as good a place to rest as any spot he was approaching, but that wasn’t his opinion. He was thinking of the They were as likely to come on the plain as any- where else, so he figured. Suddenly he heard a - ‘guecession of sharp cracks at a distance in his’ _vear. The sounds bore no resemblance to the of wolves, but Jack gave a nervous start just the same. He hurried his steps. The cracks came nearer and he heard the sounds of hoofs on the ground. He began to run, but the sounds came closer and closer, : “No use. I cannot get away,” said Jack, stop- ps “eee” ee =f of a man _ gled with the eracks. Things osname quite clear G i) T was i roa chig ata r id . ‘pulle yank hie spraiver and fired it-in the si dts gases and the oncoming team > ~~ taf Pan . eS ee ee -cape with his daughter.” LOST IN THE BALKANS . 2 slowed down. It came out of the semi-gloom and stopped near the boy. The driver, addressing him in Bulgarian, asked him what was wrong. “T’ve been lost in this range for nearly a week. I want a lift as far as the place you are going to. Will you help me out?” said Tack. The driver turned to some one in the wagon and spoke to him. Jack was invited to-get in, which he did with alaerity, and sank down -completely fagged out. The wagon then went on again. Jack explained that he was an American and was on his way to the village of Kiva with a guide, but the man robbed and deserted him, after tak- ing him far out of the right course, “Make yourself easy, friend,” said the owner of the wagon, “I am geing to Kiva, and will take you there.” Foams felt like shouting, only he was too tired te 0 so. CHAPTER X.—The Sweets of Fame. The owner of the team told Jack that Kiva was only about ten miles away. ; “That’s good news,” said the boy. “Now, my friend, my object in going to that village was to pay a visit to a man named Buto. I met him at the vilayet of Monastir just before the war broke out, and owing to a little difficulty, we had there, Buto, his daughter and myself had to flee from the place. Did he and Mira reach Kiva‘in safety?” The man. stared at his passenger for a mo- ment before replying. 2 “What is your name, sir?” he said, in a peculiar tone. “Jack Wood. I am a war reporter with the Bulgarian army, and would not be here now but I was severely wounded by a spent shell and was sent to the military hospital at Philopopolis.” ; “Why, my young friend, you are supposed to be dead, murdered by the Turks. Buto, when he and his daughter returned to the village, after their visit to Monastir, told all his friends about their whirlwind flight through northern Macedonia. He said they owed their final escape to an American war correspondent named Jack Wood, who sacri- ficed his life to save them. Mira Buto is still mourning for the fate that she believes befell you, and here you turn up alive and well after all. Why, you'll be received as one back from the grave, and the village will hold festivities in your honor. ‘I consider it an honor to bring you sto the village. It will raise me in the estimation of Buto, who is the-head man of the place. Tell me how you escaped from those Turks. Buto said you had not the ghost of a chance for your life when he took advantage of your heroism to es- ity, and the man de- Jack satisfied his curios clared he was a wonder. “But I’ve often heard that you Americans were capable of anything,” he concluded. 3 Two hours later they entered the village; and the team was driven straight to the two-story house occupied by Buto. here were lights in the lower windows, and the figures of two or three e be seen inside. “Thanks, my friend, for the ride you have given me. 1 will see (hak age lose nothing | as Now, . | queda Ot aay gou-senis, wines pre te oe i eee do to-morrow. Ti a . oe gs ae * rit =
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_ LOST IN Jack sprang out of the wagon and, going up to the door, pounded on it.. It happened that Mira answered the door herself in place of a servant. The boy recognized her at once and, @orgetting that she had believed him dead for months, he stepped in and grabbed both her hands. _ “Pm are glad to see you again, Mira,” he said impulsively. : The light shining through the open inner door played full on Jack’s countenance, and Mira iden- tified every feature of the face that stood en- father and every one in the room beyond, but aroused the immediate neighbors, and fainted dead away. Jack caught her as she was failing, and she lay limp in his arms when Buto and his friends came rushing out to learn what had hap- “What is the matter with Mira? What caused her to——” cried Buto, then he stopped as his _ eyes rested on Jack’s face. : ~"*Gyacious heaven!” he exclaimed, starting back. ; She has fainted,” “Don’t you recognize me—Jack tered a piercing shriek that not only startled her ; _ “Take your daughter, Buto. said the boy. ~ Wood?” 7 “Not dead! Bu to. “Tt is really me, sir. I got away from the Turks right after you and Mira effected your es- ” ca ; THleaven be praised!” cried Buto, embracing ‘the young man, and then taking his daughter in his arms he called for a female servant, who was close by, having run on hearing her mistress Is it really you, Wood?” ejaculated 9 . While Mira was borne to her room to recover from her fainting spell, Jack was fairly dragged into the living-room by Buto, who could hardly _ believe he was the heroic young American war reporter until he had looked him all over in the full, lare of the lights. : ow did you escape?” asked the Hungarian eagerly. “Why, you did not appear to have a single chance for your life.’ Jack told his story. Hardly had he concluded when the woman servant appeared and told Buto that the gir] wanted to see him. The Hungarian let the room, but soon came back. “Come with me,” he said to the boy. - He led Jack upstairs, opened a door and told him to walk in. Jack did so, and the door closed behind him. Standing in the center of the room was Mira. She uttered a, little cry and took a step forward. Then she stopped and covered her face with her hands. . ; _ “Mira,” said Jack, going to her and taking her hands from her face, “are you glad to see me? Are you glad that I escaped from that rascally “Hamet?” She looked at him with shining eyes and blush- trees oh: jonas exic 1 Ss , yes, e eagerly. : ee: “Mira, yon love me?” Jack said, holding out is arms to her. - ; : - “Qh—Jack!” she said. ; That. was answer a. for the young Amer- He quickly encircled her with his arms, and y his shoulder with a sigh 7 her on infinite happiness and content. “Do hale Sree the last words you spoke ees sd ; 33 Vw Oni DD THE BALKANS shrined in her sorrow-stricken heart. She ut-. y 13 to me—‘I won’t leave you! . I will die with you! I love you!’ Do you remember them?” he said, in a thrilling tone. Did she remember them? Had she ever for- gotten them? She threw her arms around the boy’s neck and clung to him convulsively as that fearful scene passed across her memory once more. How often she had pictured it, and the scene her imagination told her had followed! “Do you remémber them?” repeated Jack. “Yes, yes; oh, yes!” yz “And you would have died with me if you could have done so?” “Yes, a hundred times ‘yes. you—I love you!” Then Jack kissed her. There was a great time in the mayor’s house that night. And there was a great time in the village next morning, for the news had circulated like wildfire that the heroic young American who had saved Buto and his daughter had turned up alive after all. The streets in front of Buto’s house soon swarmed with the villagers, eager to get a sight of the boy. A perfect sea of faces greeted his appear- ance on the little second-story baleony when he was led out there by Buto and Mira. He was cheered to the echo, and he graciously acknow- ledged the tempestuous acclaim, ,bowing to the right and left with smiling face. It was the first time he had ever received.a public ovation, and it was certainly a corker, and one he never would forget. He was regarded as a real hero by the villagers. y Had he been a victorious Bulgarian general he could not have been accorded greater enthusiasm. That day became a holiday in his honor. When he walked forth later with Mira, every hat came off to him as he passed, and the people vied with one another to show him the most profound re- spect and honor. Jack told Buto and Mira the strenuous story of his experience when lost in the mighty Balkans, and the girl shuddered at his narrow escape from death. Buto was furious at the treacherous conduct of Angelico, the gnide. Believing the rascal had returned to the town from which he and the boy had set out, he dis- patched an official letter by a special messenger . to the authorities of the place, requesting that he be searched for and attested. If he was not ty be found, Buto asked that the authorities of Philippopolis and Sofia be notified, and means taken to capture him. . He had told Jack in his parting note that he intended to go to America, and this clue was furnished to the police by Buto. When Jack told Buto and Mira about the gems he had found in the mountain hut, and exhibited his prize, they were lost in wonder at the beauty~ and value of the stones. He translated to them the note written by the American who had taken them from the tomb in the Turkish mosque at Adrianople, and showed them the Arabic writing on the reverse. Buto said that Jack had a clear right to keep and dispose of them under the con- ditions by which they came into his possession, and said that the proceeds would make him a wealthy young man. At the same time he advised - Jack to keep the matter a profound secret, and to sell them by degrees in different parts of Eu- rope. = ° c nT will take care of that,” said the boy. . have no wish to get into trouble over them. ST CSD he eS ae: a5 “ABs d Bek 4,20 Se ue » >» I love you—I love.
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oy" “received in our mountain v : ‘struction _hhad broken down several charges desperately 20 ‘Now, Mira, since your father has’ consented to our marriage when this Balkan war has been con- cluded, and as I shall in a few days return to the scene gf action once more to fulfil my duty to my paper, I shall leave this fortune in jewels in your possession to take care of for me. But I want you to select from this collection as many of the choicest stones as you wis: to form your wedding present from me, since being compara- tively poor, as the world goes, I can give you nothing else worthy of your acceptance as the daughter of the most important citizen of Kiva.” “I do not ask for anything, Jack, dear, nor does father. It is our that you shall re- ceive with me at his a@ dowry worthy of Lis station in life,” said Mira, with a fond look. “In winning you as my future husband I have re- ceived all the temporal blessing Heaven can be- stow upon me. I am at this moment superla- tivel; happy in the kwOwledge of your love; and “yet, my love, itis not ut pain that I realize must part with you perhaps many months elsewhere. It ‘will be -week rhaps, before I shall hear from you after you have received the front. Then I will” re you exposed to all the dangers of war. ve you not already been ‘grievously wounded, although not a_ soldier. What if some bullet should reach your hear and rob me of my life’s happiness. Oh, my love, how can I let you go?” she cried, bursting into tears. Buto retired to allow Jack to comfort the girl, and this he succeeded in doing when he reminded her that it was her duty as a Bulgarian to sac- rifice her sonal feelings that he, her fiance, should fulfil his mission to his newspaper, since he was bound in honor to do so. ; CHAPTER XI.—Conclusion. Two weeks later Jack was back with the Bul- ian army and again in journalistic harness. Angelico had not been caught, as far as Jack had heard, and he judged that the rascal had made his escape, and was on his way to Armenia. Shortly after Jack got to the front a t battle was fought, lasting over two or three ae: and though it proved a victory for the Bulgarians, the carnage was something frightful on both sides. It carried a wall of grief all ‘through the country of the Balkans, and as Jack knew Mira would be in a state of painful uncer- tainty till she heard from him, he sent ‘her word at once through the channels ag upon with Buto. Among the prisoners taken by the Bul- - garians were many officers. Some of these were more or less wounded—many badly. Among the latter Jack ascertained were Mustapha Hamlet. The Turk, as worthy of his ancestry, had shown t bravery in the battle. He and his regiment ad stood by the guns of a field battery, sup- ‘porting it, which had carried death and de- among the Bulgarians. This battery -. ‘made at the point of the bayonet, and the Mauser es _. efforts well. of the supporting regiment had seconded its the aH orc held the key to the tion, it had to be taken at all hazard. firs to t it ; TO WIN; or, THE DEALS OF A WAI LOST IN THE BALKANS of a battery of great guns some distance away. The Turks stood the hail of steel, and when the first charge came they grimly repulsed it. An- other hail of shells followed and then the sec- ond charge was directed against the battery, but human flesh and blood could not stand up against the T rkish fire. The Turkish trenches, however, were dripping blocd under the awful fire of the heavy guns which had got their exact range, and so when the third and final charge was made, they and the supporting regiment were swept- away like chaff, and in that desperate assault Mustapha Hamlet went down mortally wounded. Jack visited the hospital to see the wounded officers, and he recognized Hamlet. The Turk recognized him, Across the minds of both flash- ed the scene at the village when the young war reporter euchered the officer. Hamlet had never eee his young enemy, much less forgiven im. “Accursed Giaour!” were the words his blood- stained lips formed with his fleeting breath. “Mustapha, the surgeon says there is no hope for you. You will die within the hour. Let us bury the past. Why carry your enmity into the grave?” : The officer uttered an oath. “Murtapha, why spoil the finish of your mili- tary career? The Bulgarians say that you fought like a lion, and for.a time-seemed to bear a charmed life. They say you might have escaped in the confusion of the rout had you minded to, instead of which you stuck to your colors till you were struck down. As a Soldier and an officer I honor you,” said Jack, removing his hat. “You have proved yourself one of the bravest of th brave in the face of certain death. The Sultan should be proud of such a soldier. Such is my opinion of you as an officer. There is my hand— the hand of a foreigner and an American. What has passed ‘between us individually is of the past. In these few last moments of your life let us forgive and forget. Is not that one of the tenets of Mahomet, whom you expect to meet in the 4 world to come?” A great struggle was going on in the breast of the dying man. He hated the young Ameri- can for the blow he had received at his hands, and for doing him out of the Bulgarian beauty, but the blood of the soldier was /stronger than the hate of the man, and it rose supreme when Jack removed his hat and complimented him on his bravery. “Allah’s will be done,” he whispered. “You have conquered me. é I retract the curse and die at peace with you.” Reader, I have finished. The Balkan war is — over and Jack Wood i- back in New York, a person of some importance among his newspaper — associates. And with him is his bride—the beau- tiful and happy Mira of the village of the Bal- kans, who by virtue of her marriage now owes allegiance to the American flag. And Jack has realized over $100,000 from the gems he found when lost in the Balkans. 3 Next week's issue will contain “PLUN
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SHIP HIDES DIRECTION OF COURSE BY “oe 2 CAMOUAGE + Striking examples of marine inventions per- “formed during the last days of the war are dem- ‘onstrated on the steamer Bembridge which is in | Port at Sydney, N. S. W.. _.. Her foremast is placed several feet starboard of the keel to mislead submarines, and her fun- “nel, much shorter than that of the average Steamer of her tonnage, is over the keel, so that is impossible to tel] by looking through the per- } iscope of a: submarine which way the steamer is Proceeding. - Smoke may be diverted from the funnel to a Passageway near the waterline, so that the vessel “May make an effective screen in emergencies. RGE GRAY WHALE SPORTS IN THE SURF The spectacle of a large gray whale coming “inshore to scratch itself was observed at Moclips, -Wash., one afternoon recently. The whale came ‘In through the surf where the depth of water was barely sufficient to float it, and lay for twenty to thirty minutes in the breakers, rolling and play- ing as seals often do, pushing itself with half- €xtended fins; and then making a playful spring With bended flukes, the immense body striking the 3 by keen and skillful sleuths. (2)—Queer Mystery Stories ( 3)—Short Serials - | (“ )—Interesting Articles azine in the world. IO RRES po eS, ay GET A COPY TODAY! FAME AND FORTUNE WEEKLY 21 3 | CURRENT NEWS _ surface with a tremendous smack, audible for a mile or so. It_is believed the whale-came into the sandy beach to rub away clusters of barnacles and other crustaceans hanging on its breast and dorsal flip- pers, or to scratch off “cooties,” said to- infest them. Bathers ; later ascertained that the extreme depth of water in which the whale played was less than eleven feet, and they saw the depression the animal scooped in the-ocean’s sandy floor. SMALLEST RAILROAD IN THE WORLD During the war the Governors Island, Fort Jay, Castle Williams and Filled Ground Railway, with its one engine, two flat ears, a gondola and a box car, and its 29,000 feet of track, was a very busy road. The termination of hostilities killed its use- fulness, and new 28,000 feet of its track, 24 ware- houses, half a mile of shedding and 5,800 heads of automatic sprinkler system are offered for sale, while*the lone sergeant who ran the road has gone back to soldiering. What little is left of it after the sale will be scarcely longer than its name, and— its title to the claim of being the smallest railroad RBs, world will be even more unassailable than efore. | : _ HERE’S WHAT YOU GET IN “2 | _“MYSTERY MAGAZINE” (1)—Gripping Detective Stories ay oe Interesting plots are developed, and the criminals are brought to justice They deal with police and detective work in -mysterious cases among characters of the underworld and are well written. Mostly the- detective type, told in snappy style, and full of exciting ad- venture that appeals to the most critical reader's. : , Covering all sorts of strange subjects,_these condensed features are as \ interesting as the stories, and are written by experts. We are all the time adding new and startling material so that the interest never lags. You get more for Ten Cents in one of th ese magazines than you buy in any other
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22 Daring Dan Dobson — OR — : THE BOY WHO BEAT THE MOONSHINERS By GASTON GARNE i c { (A Serial Story.) CHAPTER XX. How Dan Leaped Into the Fire. , “Tt’s Dobson!” exclaimed one of the men, and the others recognized their late prisoner. “Yes, and I’ve come back to get you and your whole gang. I’ve got enough men to move you all to the penitentiary where you so richly de serve to be!” 3 ; Dan walked up to each’ man, took his weapons, and brought forth a fine collection of knives and pistols from their secret pockets and holsters. “It’s a pity you men are wasted on this moun- tain business—you fellows would be a lot better off in the army, ready to fight for Uncle Sam.” “The government—we hates it!” cried one man. _. “Yes, that is where you are such fools!” re- - torted Dan Dobson. “If you only submitted to its laws, you would have a rich country and have nothing to fear.” “ He pointed toward a little room on the left, where 5 saw a light. “March intosthat!” he commanded. “And re- member, the house is surrounded.” Now the man in the hallway, by the front door, heard all this imaginary talk, and he realized that he had been made a fool of to the extent of believing that so many men were about. He slipped into the door, and heard Dan talk- ing out toward his own direction, as though there were a large squad of men there. He came to the conclusion that this famous * young man was continuing one of his daring schemes, and depending upon no one but himself. ~ Go this man worked his way quietly to the door. : ye Dan nodded to Tom in the window. - “Give them the whistle! now.” . This was done,* and the sheriff, with Zachary and the others, came on at double speed, sur- rised to receive the sign that a quiet conquest ad been made. tos and as they did so they were surprised to see ¢ Doloan. deck _-*~ “Where away, Dan?” cried the she rs a ars po Sen We want them all in . FAME AND FORTUNE WEEKLY j iving a warning shot to ward off the moon- shiners, whom he wanted to walk into the trap. The man was speedier than our friend sup- posed. He leaped along nimbly, knowing his ground, while Dan struck a stump here and ran into an overturned bench there, as the other purposely zigzagged toward the front road. } The man had reached the roadway, and Dan was right after him. Down to the west the prisoner went, with his arms bound up, but his nimble legs free. Before Dan realized it he was half a mile down the road, and the fellow had distanced him. The man was suddenly plunging into the brake at the side of the roadway, and Dan followed him, twigs snapping into his face, and everything impeding his progress. : He heard voices before him, and suddenly he was given the bitter experience of running into a group of three around a fire, who leaped up at his approach. - Bang! Bang! | Bullets whizzed past his head, for these men took no chances. “There’s Dobson!” cried the man he had been - pursuing into the lion’s den, as it were. The men had him at their mercy, for in his running his gun had been at his side, while his revolver was in its holster. What could he do? He simply stopped, wishing to save himself from injury, hoping for a chance to escape. The men around the fire laughed gleefully, as they, unbound their companion, and listened to his story. -—/ ; “Well, hyar’s our prize, all right. We’ll take him to Jake Newcastle, an’ that’ll do a lot to- wards puttin’ us right with him. I think thar’s goin’ to be a lynchin’.” “Me, too, Pete!” Dan could not resist an impatient reply. “A lot of you fellows wouldn’t run down a road where a jack rabbit was for fear he’d bite you— —- you_ were armed and had a gang with “Ts that so? Well, shut up!” And at this juncture one of the men swung a cruel blow against the lad’s face, most unex- pectedly, and knocked him flat and unconscious. Little sympathy was wasted on prisoners in the hands of the moonshine men. The men laughed, and hurriedly finished the work which they were on. It happened that this group was occupied with the distilling of liquor, and here in the heart of the’ woods was one of the biggest stills in the possession of Newscastle It was covered with a little-two-angle roof of rough branches and logs, so as to keep it sheltered from the inclement weather. : . They worked at the fire, and attended to vari- ous little necessary things for the making of the whisky. mi (To be continued.) yar = 4 Send us a one-cent stamp to we will mail you a copy of “Moving Picture Stories.” =
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ITEMS OF SQUIRRELS AND GUNSTOCKS Black walnut is a fine ornamental tree of fairly agg growth. The Forest Service points out _that the merry squirrel was really the agent that Supplied our army with gunstocks; his habit of burying the nuts in open areas, where the sap- lings sprouting from them can secure the neces- “sary sun, was “a big deposit to man’s account in Nature’s savings bank.” There are about 821,- 000,000 feet of black walnut in#the country, 50 “per cent. of it available for-~commerce. It re- _ Quires good agricultural soil, and if the supply -is to be adequate there must be careful manage- Ment of existing groves and the immediate estab- = lishment of new ones. ~ : SALVAGES OLD NEWSPAPERS A process to remove ink from old newspapers 80 the paper can be used again for printing pur- os has been developed by the United States _ Porest Products Laboratory, Madison, Wis., ac- ‘cording to an announcement recently. One milk “under commercial, conditions has deinked 1,500 tons of old newspapers and has remade the paper newsprint stock of desired strength and color, } which was acceptéd by publishers as stafidard, it is said. “yah : Bentonite, a claylike substance formed from _Voleanic ash and found largely in Wyoming, is Used in the deinking process. It dissolves the ink* and leaves the paper perfectly clear, the an- _ Mauncement says. __ Because of the cheapness of the new process laboratory officials say they believe that much of _ the 2,200,000 tons of newsprint annually used can _ Now be salvaged. CANADA’S COAL SUPPLY : Canada has six great coal fields; bituminous “Coal in Nova Scotia; in the Crow’s Nest Pass re- ; fier; in Northern Alberta; and on Vancouver Is- land; lignite in Saskatchewan and Manitoba; and anthracite in Northern British Columbia. Only the bituminous mines are being worked to any Qreat extent. The lignite is a lower grate of oal which requires further processing to make ‘it a satisfactory fuel and the anthracite is at zeoment beyond the reach of transportation. Can- | ada uses large quantities of anthracite coal, which She gets from the United States. The Canadian ‘anthracite fields lie on the upper Skeena River, about 150 miles north of Hazelton, and a com- tively short line of railway to tide water at the mouth of the Naas or Skeena, or to Hazelton on the Grand Trunk Pacific, would, it is asserted, pen up an immensely wealthy region comparable to the anthracite regions of Pennsylvania. The ena coal is hard, smokeless fuel and is said ‘be very similar to the Pennsylvania product. is a fine steam coal and is excellent for domes- uses, > b growing wild which will remind “f the British blackthorn, It alt FAME AND FORTUNE WEEKLY INTEREST bears a cluster of small flowers with yellowish- white petals which are succeeded by red berries. The leaves are oval and about an inch in length, and when crushed have a faint tealike odor. This is the coca plant. The leaves have for centuries been used by the natives as a masticatory. When chewed they al- iay the desire for food and prevent a feeling of fatigue when travelling or during gréat exertion. Fifty years ago cocaine was practically un- known, says Pharmacist in the London Daily Mail. The dried leaves of the plant are the part used and these yield approximately 5 per cent. of cocaine. From the Jeaves the cocaine is-extracted in the form, of crystals. But as these are soluble only in oils, alechol, chloroform and some other vehitles, the cocaine is converted into. a hydro- chloric, which is eusily soluble in water. In this fowym it may be used as a powder for sprinkling ,on the parts to be operated on or for sniffing into the nose, or as a solution for injection wmder the skin. : ee Send us a one-cent stamp to cover postage, and we will mail you a copy of “Mystery Magazine.” lll: “Mystery Magazine” SEMI-MONTHLY 10 CENTS A COPY —— LATEST IsstEsS —~ A SECRET SERVICE MYSTERY, 1 SERS yet RSs vaner ) ? c, by Elliott Lester, Set 1 ie STRANGE CASE, by Gottlieb ovds. A MUSEUM MYSTERY, by Jnck Rechdo} THE LITTLE RED ROOK, by Alexander Tou A MAN FROM STAM. by Charles Fulton Oursler. ‘Ine of the Emern nz. b HELY,’S AITNGES. hy Rawhin onie oo THE WOLF, by Katherine Stagg. 109 THE RRASS ROPTON be Jack Rechdatt, @ A WHISPERING MUMMY. by Chas. FP. Oursler 111 TRAPPING THE SMTGGTERS, by Beanlah Poynter THE MISSING EVIDENCE, by Harold F. Podhaski, The Famous Detective Story Out Today In 113 Is A CLUE BY RADIO By CAPT. JACK STATIC HARRY E. WOLFF, Publisher, Inc., 166 West 28d Street, New York City ‘ 100 “Moving Picture Stoties” <_- A Weekly Magazine Devoted to Phetoplays and Players PRICE SEVEN CENTS PER COPY Each number tains Four Stories Best Films on the Bereens Elegant Half-tone °s sine from the EYE vu ahaa tated Tees Wes Studios and Sonsite ts Scenario Writing. - HARRY E. WOLFF, Publisher, Inc., ; p {tat Seal ‘ - -.. me of me
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Z4 THE BANK WATCHMAN’S STORY , By KIT CLYDE “How long have I been a bank watchman?” re- peated Daniel McShane, as he took the pipe from his mouth and slowly blew the smoke away. “Well, sir, I’ve put in over thirty years at it.” “But you are not more than forty now.” “Forty-one, sir; and I began the business when I was ten years old.” “That was a tender age, and there must be a story connected with your debut.” — “Right you are, sir, and if you have half an hour to spare we'll have a pot of beer together, and Il] tell-you the yarn. When I was a kid of eight my father was made night watchman of the old Traders’ Bank of Philadelphia." ery- thing was very primitive then, as you may re- member. There were bad men about, but there was no need of burglar-proof safes and time locks to circumvent them. Banks were then ru about the same as stores. The Traders’ open at eight in the morning and closed at five in the afternoon, aad the last official did not leave until seven, at which time my father went on duty. He was on from that hour until seven in the morning, but was not supposed to be awake all the time. He had a cot bed in the office, and many a night he slept all night without once opening his eyes, although he was supposed to sleep so lightly that every noise would arouse him. He was providéd with a club and a shot- gun, and there was no fear of his honesty or courage. “Things went on very quietly for a couple of years, and I was then employed as a sort of mes- senger boy by a restaurant man who kept his place open all night. If a drunken man came in, which was a nightly occurrence, or a loafer sought to jump his bill, which was often the case, I made a run of two blocks to the police station for officer. In this way, and by acting as a wa at one of the tables, I earned a small weekly me and in the bargain it was agreed that I should carry my father a lunch every night at midnight. This consisted of a pail of hot cof- fee, a sandwich, and a piece of pie. I was always off at the stroke of twelve, took a walk of two squares, and father was generally at the door waiting for me. “You will readily see, sir, that the circum- stances furnished a sharp man the occasion to do a big stroke of work, but it was two years before Then a couple known why I made the trip, how father me, and how long I remained inside. My the bank was about a quarter of an hour, Tr was FAME AND FORTUNE WEEKLY other end of his beat, five squares away.. The police business at that time was run in a hap- hazard way, and an officer could sit and sleep in a doorway or patrol his beat, as he was in- clined It was a pretty good man on that beat, but he was a slow walker and fond of his pipe. As his smoking was mostly done at the other end of his beat, he was certain to take his time about coming back. “Did I have any suspicions? I did, sir. Beg- ging your pardon for what seems like boasting, but I was accounted a very sharp boy at that age, and I think I realized father’s responsibili- ties more than he did himself. I was always giv- ing him a word of-caution, and the very first time I was followed I suspicioned that some evil © was intended, and I warned him not to open the door until I knocked. The next night the two men. were close at my heels, and I would not knock until they had left me. Father agreed with me that it was best to be cautious, and next day the old gun was discharged and loaded anew. I was. followed on the third, fourth and fifth nights,. and it was on this latter night that the climax came. As I left the restaurant I was joined by one of the men, who claimed to be a vessel owner, and who asked me how I would like to go to sea. He gave me a lot of taffy about my being the smartest boy he ever saw, and wishing to do something for me, and as we arrived at the | bank door he halted with me, and said he would step in and see father. At the same time I saw * the policeman smoking his pipe in the next door. | “Now, sir, I hope you won’t lay it up against — me for saying that I tumbled to the racket at. once, for that is the truth. While I swallowed none of the taffy given me, I no sooner saw the policeman at that point with his pipe alight than I twigged him for a pal in disguise. I had been observing things for two years, mind you, and such an innovation was not to be passed over. I explained to the man that it would be against the rules to admit him, and that he must see father next day, and after discussing the matter for a while he walked off. Then I gave four knocks on the door, and father finally came around to praise my caution. I left at about the usual — time, and was glad to find the street deserted. I- returned to the restaurant at a fast walk, but no sooner had I reached it than I wheeled about for the bank. It struck me all at once that the policeman had caught on to my four knocks, and that after I had gone the pair might seek to get father to the door by giving them. I dropped the dishes and started off on a run, and in three or aoe ae ae = Se oes ee The door was _ slig open, an jum right against it and flung it back. A light was always left burning, and at a glance I saw that father was down and both men on top of him. They had his head cov- ered with a cloth, and though he was calling out, his cries could not have been heard ten feet. “The cot was at the left as you entered the tes Gibtarta£ wie tintbde 1 xegtianh eheh spl oe uw was inside i t ‘was’ for. tel gun. I seized it and wheeled about one of th villains, who had been sitting on father’s reached out a foot and kicked the door shut. and
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the other gave father two blows with a short iron and then sprang up and faced me. Father ghtened out, seeming to have been killed by the blows, and the sight gave me courage and determination. When both of the men were on feet, the one in uniform commanded me to ‘Rive up the gun. I held it in a way to cover both, hammer up and finger on the trigger, and _I did not mean to give it up. For half a minute fter the man spoke there was dead silence. The light hung from the ceiling between me and them, d although it was turned down, I could see the ightest move made by either. The false police- _ picked up a stool; raised it above his head ‘ina deliberate way, and said: - “*Boy, put down that gun, or I'll brain ydu!’ _ “Hold on, Dick, let me shoot him,’ whispered the other, and he drew from his pocket one of he first revolvers I had ever seen. , _ “He had it pointed-at me, when Dick stopped by saying the report would arouse someone. ard that he was, he dared not advance upon ‘but suddenly flung the stool at my head. It Struck the lamp with a crash, and in a second we ere in darkness. The glass had not ceased rat- tling when I blazed away with the gun. It was loaded with swan shot, and I had put in a whole Randful. There were three or four screams of Tage and pain, and one went to the floor with a heavy crash, while the other staggered to the door, opened it, and staggered out. I was after him in a jiffy. It was moonlight outside, and I Saw him in the middle of the street. I ran for ‘him, shouting for the police, and as he turned and Saw me I called to him to halt or I would give him the other barrel. Well, sir, I held him right there until an officer came to take him away, but I must tell you that he had three or four of the hot in his face and was badly dazed. When we €ntered the bank we found father sitting up and -Tubbing his head, and across his feet was the lead body of the other crook. Nearly the whole ‘Sharge of shot had struck him in the breast, and - 4 was dead inside of a minute. : _“T've got the newspaper account pasted into a apbook. They made me out a hero, and thev Praised memuch more than-I deserved. T told ‘the story just as it was to the bank people, and the result was that I was put in to watch with Tather, and we were there together for the next m years. The wounded crook got a sentence to Prison, and before he, went he owned up like a Nan to all I have told you. They got father to n the door by giving four knocks, and they him down before he knew what was up. If undisturbed, they would have made a big as the money was easy to get at. te a week after that night I have been a bank man, and, though have~had. no other 2 to play the hero, the fact that I am kept is evidence of faithfulness.” Ta Ie ee \ ie -_ CATCH FISH WITH BIRDS ee Ri Fea eT) 1 i ing fish with birds Te ae ae nine tee: otieaed ta de me imm ri ‘Twenty-eight men, pa aE eee \ FAME AND FORTUNE WEEKLY SEP PRS, SM See 25 boats and sixty-four birds constitute a working unit of these picturesque fishing fleets to be seen in any sections of Japan, but particularly along - the Nigara River. The cormorants are trained when quite young and will continue to work fifteen and even twenty years. When well trained and properly handled each bird will average about 150 fish an hour. The master fisherman, distinguished by his peculiar hat, stands in the bow handling no fewer than twelve birds with remarkable skill. Another fisherman, with four birds, is situated amidships, a third member of the crew is sta- tioneu between the two, armed with a piece of “bamboo, which he strikes to keep the birds at their work, at the same time encouraging them by skouts and cries. = Each cormorant has a ring of metal or bone around the base of its neck. permitting it te swallow fish as food. but effectively stopniuxr those of marketable size from _ passing through. Round the body of the bird is a cord, to which is attached in the middle of the back a short strip of stiff whaiebone, with which to lower the bird into the water or lift it out again, and a thin rein of spruce fiber, 12 feet long. The master lowers his twelve birds into the stream and holds the reins in his left hand, manipulating them with his right as occasion requires. The second fisherman does the same with his four birds, while the third man begins his volley of noise. ; ’ The birds start diving and ducking with won- derful swiftness as the fish come swimming to- ward the blaze of light. The master has a busy time handling his twelve strings to prevent them tangling while the birds are dashing hither and thither. When one of the birds becomes engorged it swims about in a foolish, helpless way, with its head and swollen neck erect, and the master hauls it in. He forces its bil] open with his hand, still holding the other lines, and squeezes. out- the fish with his right, after which he returns the bird to its work. This is all’ done with such admirable dexterity and quickness that the other birds have not had time to become entangled, and immediately the whole team is again per- fectly in hand. : Each bird has its own number and knows it. No. 1, or “Lehi,” is the-doyen of the corps, the senior in years as well as rank, and his com- panions, according to their age, come after him _ in numerical order. Ichi is the last to be put into the water and the first to be taken out, the first to be fed and the last to enter the baskets when the work is over. Ichi has the post of © honor in the eves of the boat. He is a solemn, © grizzled old fellow, with a pompous air. The others ‘are placed alternately on either side of the gunwale, according to their rank, and, should the lawful order of precedence at any time be violated, a terrific rampus occurs among them. — ‘After the fishing is over, as each cormcor is taken out of the water, the/ master can by its weight whether it has had enough to eat during the hunt, and, if not, the bifd is fed with — the inferior fish that have been caught. = Sq aH
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~S”” Charles E. Nylander, Sec. 26 AME AND FORTUNE WEEKLY NEW YORK, JULY 21, 1922 TERMS TO SUBSCRIBERS Single Copies.......--+...+++6+ Postage Free 7 One Copy Three Months...... a A 90 Cents One Copy Six Months ........ = e One Copy One Year,......-.. = . Canada, $4.00; Foreign, $4.50. HOW TO SEND MONEY—At our risk send P. O. Money Order, Check or Registered Letter; remittances in any other way are at your risk. We accept Postage Stamps the same as cash. When sending silver wrap the Coin in a separate piece of paper to avoid cutting — envelope. Write your name and address plainly. dress letters to . HARRY E. WOLFF, } Publisher, Inc., 166 W. 23d St., N. Y. INTERESTING ARTICLES HOW FAR FLIES TRAVEL Experiments conducted by the Bureau of En- -tomology demonstrate that the house fly fre- quently journeys five or six miles in 24 hours, which emphasizes the sanitary importance of de- stroying breeding places. Some 234,000 flies of various species were dusted with finely-powdered red chalk and released. Baited fly traps were placed at measured intervals in all directions; thus the flights of different species were deter- mined. The maximum distance traveled by the house fly was 13.14 miles. Harry E. Wolff, Pres. Cc, W. Hastings, Treas. A PIGEON’S LONG FLIGHT An exhausted pigeon picked up at Columbus Circle, New York City, was found to bear a mes- sage from Edmund Heller, the well-known natur- alist, now making a survey of the animals of Yellowstone Park. The messoge, upon being read, declared that the writer’ was lost on the Hoodoo Mountains, and asked that help be sent. It was addressed to his fellow-naturalist, Dan Singer, who identified the pigeon as one of a flock they ~ had trained together, and promptly wired orders for a rescue party. As it is 1,900 miles from Yellowstone Park to New York, and the bird ap- ntly made this in five days, it had to average 380 miles a day. the animal is protected is ‘that after four months in an . lutely dry by inclosing a FAME .AND FORTUNE WEEKLY pan of concentrated sulphuric acid in the con,- tainer, the toad lost only 35 per cent. of its weight, Under the same conditions an angleworm lost 65 per cent. in four hours, and warm-blooded animals would have lost weight nearly as fast. Unlike the toad experimented upon by. Prof. Hall, the camel does not really go without a drink but simply converts stored up fat into moisture. An Arab picks out a camel with a fat, well-de- veloped hump for travel in the desert.~ The camel will not drink on the journey, but at the end of the trip the hump is thin and shrunken. As the camel’s tissues start to dry, the oxygen dissolved in the blood attacks the fat and changes it into water. Since part-of this “metabolic water” comes from the air, a pound of fat makes several pounds of fluid. “What is it wound up on that cart?” asked the old lady visiting the fire house. “Fireman’s hose,” was the answer. “Excuse me,” she said indig- nantly, “you can’t tell me that any fireman or any one else ever had legs to fit those things.” One day Ernest had been seriously lectured by his mother, and finally sent to the yard to find a switch with which he was to be punished. He re- turned soon, and said: “I couldn’t find any switch, mamma, but here’s a stone you can throw at me.” “What became of that little kitten you had?” inquired the visitor of the small boy of the house. “Why, haven’t you heard?” “No; was it drown- ed?” “No.” “Lost?” “No.” “Did you give it away?” “No.” “Then: whatever did become of it?” “It growed up into a cat.’ A school teacher sought to reprove a boy who had failed to solve an example. ‘‘You ought to*be ashamed of yourself,” said the teacher. “When George Washington was your age he was @ sur- veyor.”” “Well,” came the quick response, “when os was your age he was President of the United tates. The Visitor—You have a very fine view here, my friend. The Guide—Ay can sometimes see a long way. The Visitor— (facetiously)—Ah, I suppose you can see America when it’s clear? The Guide—Farther than that. The Visitor—Ah, is that so? The Guide—Yes; if you wait a while, you'll see the moon. 2 “You are charged with selling adulterated — milk,” said the judge. “So I understand, your honor,” said tke milkman, “I plead not guilty.” — “But the testimony shows that your milk is 25 — -per cent. water,” said the judge. “Then it must be high exade milk,” returned the milkman. “If your honor will look up the word milk in your ‘dictionary you.will find that it consists of from 80 to 90 per cent. water. I’d ought to have sold it for cream.” ’ Send us a one-cent stamp to cover postage, and we will mail you a copy of “Moving Picture
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3 LARGE STRAWBERRIES Ernest M. Hurley of Wetipquin, this county, tought to Salisbury, Md., the other day some of the largest strawberries ever seen here. The berry, originated and named by Mr. Hurley, is talled the “Blue Cross.” Some of those brought ¢re measured six inches in circumference and, like many of the new varieties, the berry is wild, ’ 4 CRABS THAT STEAL. EGGS Crabs are not usually looked upon in the light a nuisance, but there are some species which tause bother and alarm. ' Oddly enough, the fisherman of Japan has a apreme contempt for the gigantic crab of his d which has nippers ten feet in length, and n moving along the bottom of the sea with its laws spread out covers an area of twenty-two leet or so. _ The destructiveness of certain species of crab in the West Indies is remarkable.. On Grand Cay- Man they are as heartily detested as the rat. They re great burrowers, and in localities where they ire plentiful—and they multiply with the rapid- ity of the rodent—nothing is safe from them. They will eat even the eggs on which a hen is etting as greedily as the hen herself if she does Not run away, and just as rapidly the leaves of dling cocoanut trees. They effect in the West lies practically the same great degree of de- uction on the g cocoanuts as the sepoy trab does.in the East Indies. In each instance ome 8 to 11 per cent. of the seedlings have to be replaced if they are planted in newl cleared round from which the crabs have not been tho- toughly cleared out. ; a hese land crabs destroy vegetation and are re- tponsible for frequent patches of bare soil in the ash, which, when the crabs are gone, soon become Covered again. Into their holes they take things for which they cannot conceivably find any use— i knife, a boot, a book and any tools they find ly- about. During the drier months in the earlier of the year they go underground to change shells, and add to their destructfulness by horoughly barricading the mouths of their bur- ows with all sorts of rubbish, reinforced with Tee shoots and young saplings, nipping them off ‘uprooting them. . = No crab, however, has the infamous reputa- tion—fabulous it most likely is—of the sepoy Tab of the Indian Ocean and Eastern waters. is crustacean, seen on the shores of coco ds, and sometimes, although seldom by day, bing up the coco palm to steal the fruit, is; een a’ crab and a lobster. ee) The se spends its time stealing cocoanuts, rage ae tee to the mouth of its burrow : among fe tree roots, soap them and eating the al- ond lini e. sepoys—so called rom the and whité uniform of the soldiers’ (Sepoys) d. Indian Company—about two feet e not feared by the natives,-who put their bed _ ae oe. ae 4 FAME AND FORTUNE WEEKLY g FROM ALL POINTS S we will mail you a 27 arms into their holes and seizing the claws in a bunch whip them out suddenly. But they speak with awe of the rare monster crabs that exceed three feet in length, and one of them is said to have once stolen a child. This is told not only in the islands of the Mauritius and of Diego Garcia, but so far apart as Lord Hood’s — in the Pacific, where the sepoy is also ound. ABOUT EARTH EATERS In several parts of the world the dearth of food compels men to.nourish themselves with certain kinds of earth which possess a true nutritive power. Travellers are too unanimous on this point to allow of our doubting it. The fact too was known at a far more distant epoch than is generally supposed, for it is mentioned in the old and curious book of Naude in defence of the great men accused of magic. It is there said that certain earths of the Valley of Hebron are good fo eat. Toward the mouth of the Orinoco the Ottomacs, a native tribe, at certain seasons of the year nourish themselves to a great extent with a fat ferruginous clay, of which they consume as much as a pound and a half a day. Spix and Martius say that a similar custom is found on the banks of the Amazon; and those learned travellers re- late that the natives there eat this earth even when there is no lack of more substantial food. We also know that an edible clay is sold in the markets of Bolivia.. Gliddon tells us that there are a number of earth eating tribes in North America and there are clay eaters in the Caro- linas and Georgia. : Naturalists, struck with these accounts, were anxious to make out the composition of these edi- ble earths and to their astonishment discovered” that some of them were species of clays contain- ing a considerable number of fresh water infu- soria or’microscopic shells; so that we might sup= pose that these clays owe their properties to ani- mal matter they have retained and that it is this which Loti omy man with this truly antediluvian ipod. composed of the remains of microscopic an- imals. But nature has not stopped here; she has now and then produced a perfect animalized meal. There is nothing necessary but to make it into bread. In fact, it is well known that in times of dearth the Laplanders nourish themselves with a white mineral dust, which they substitute for cereal products. Retius, who examined this meal, found that it was composed of nineteen species of infusoria, similar to those now found around Berlin; and the scientist has shown that this skeleton dust, which is also found in Finland and Sweden, owes its nutritive qualities to a certain amount of animal substance which chemical an alysis detected after so many ages. _ : Send us a one-cent ‘stamp-t6 cover B copy of “Mystery * » 4 < ail
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BIG RUSH FOR DIAMOND MINES The biggest rush in the history of South Af- rica’s alluvial diamond diggings occurred at Mosesberg, sixty miles from Kimberley, recently, when about 15,000 diggers from all parts of the Union and Rhodesia pegged out their claims. The line of start for the peggers extended more than four miles, and immediately after the proc- lamation was read the diggers, each carrying four pegs, rushed to the points they favored. There were no casualties, whichis regarded as remarka- ble, considering the number of claimants and the excitement engendered by the rush. THE LARGEST DIAMOND The famous Cullinan diamond which was dis- covered in the New Premier mine in the town of Cullinan, in the Transvaal, South Africa, is the largest on record. Its weight was a little over 3,025 carats, or 9,566 grains. It was presented in 1907 to King Edward VII by the Transvaal Government to ornament the crown and scepter of Great Britain. It has now been cut into two of the largest brilliants in the world, weighing respectively 516 and 309 carats, and about 100 smaller brilliants. Cullinan, where it was found, is about 20 miles from Pretoria. The Cullinan was more than three times the size of any other known diamond and was found in yellow ground. It is clear and water white and may be only a portion of a still larger stone. Upon its pur- chase ky the Transvaal Government it was sent to Amsterdam, Holland, to be cut. All the stones are flawless and the finest in existence. NEURITIS DUE TO TOO TIGHT WRIST WATCH Be careful not to bind the strap of your wrist watch too tight. Several cases of neutritis in the fingers and hands have been traced to this cause. Dr. John S. Stopford tells in the Laneet of’a stu- dent who experienced tingling pains along the inner borders of the hand and in the little finger. These had persisted for some time and caused discomfort and anxiety. On examination a ten- der point was discovered on the dorsal surface of the styloid process of the ulna, and pressure in this situation caused pain to radiate from this point into the dorsal cutaneous branch of the ul- nar nerve. There was no sign of paresis or at- rophy of any of the intrinsic muscles of the hand, nor were any trophic changes found. On inves- a a cause for this localized neuritis the possibility appeared to be the wearing of a tight wristlet watch, which clearly could produce compression of the dorsal cutaneous branch of the ulnar nefve as it curved round the lower extrem- ity of the ulna. On discarding the wristlet the discomfort gradually disappeared. te ~ ks # « f ra +. FAME AND FORTUNE WEEKLY GOOD READING DROPS 24,206 FEET IN es al RN ‘HARRY E, WOLFF, 166 W. 23d St, New Yo + r k parachute jumping record on June 12 when he _ descended 24,206 feet to safety. Another record was broken at the same time — when Lieut. Leigh Wade piloted a twin-motored — Martin bomber, carrying three passengers, to an — altitude of 24,206 feet, it was announced. Captain Stevens ascended in the same plane with Lieutenant Wade. The pilot, accompanied by Stevens and Sergt. — Roy Langham, observer, took off at ll a. m. and reached the maximum altitude at 1 p. m., re- quiring two hours and five minutes to make the — climb. Reaching the maximum height, the party par-_ took of refreshments and Stevens made ready — for his leap. When he left the plane he did not permit his chute to be opened by the wind and then lift him off, but leaped over the side and dropped several , a feet before it opened and checked his rop. = The oxygen tank which he. had sewn to his — flying suit was torn off in thé leap and lost. . Thirty minutes were required for the descent. _ He left the plane while over Springfield and — landed at Jamestown, a smail village twenty-five — miles southwest of Dayton. ’ 3 Flying conditions were ideal. The tenipera- ture on the ground was 75 degrees and zero was reached at the maximum altitude. So strong was the wind at 24,206 feet that the motors, which were traveling at about 100 miles an hour, only — served to keep the ship upright and the wind — forced it backward at a speed of about twenty — miles an hour, Wade said upon descent. : Send us a one-cent stamp to cover postage, and we will mail you a copy of “Moving Picture Stories.” : ; > _ Musical Handsaw Greatest Novelty of the Age —==——3 pered saw produces loud, clear, rich tones like a’ Lhe same effect may be had b the edge. Any tune can be played by the wond vibrations of the saw. It requires two weeks’ to make you an art When not playin, work with the saw. It is a useful tool as w instrument. Price of Saw, Mallet and I you asa ts Be ewswwene -
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Slee s £m a or ed Chem Vile ty (jas: | ema | =e — 5 ae How Many Objects Beginning with “H’’ Can Your. . Read These Rules: person living In America (out- ill be deducted from the number a2 of Chicane, ih.), except = ot correct, words. Web: corse > Interna~ ‘of Home Folks Magazine or their | tional Dictionary will be final authority. ae —— abmit an answer. » Be tier list of words on one side ‘ee. umber words - consecutively. eee “3,45 ‘Thred-fodaee. ind. ran ot and 5. tevin no © tion with ““Home ‘otks*” eet eens a pe Semis’ oi of Two mre ree - es : ‘words, wil only Saath erpasale. “However me ived not mt | 7 mis werd ata age be rece! Toit but subsetiptions to lists for the prises will be wccepted tt received up oe el Pages , Find in This Picture? The Horse wears a Harness. On the woman in the foreground there is Hat, Head, Hand. That’s five wordsto start on. How many more can you find? Write down the “H” wordsas you find them. See how easy it is. Nothing is hidden. You can win $1.500. Open to Everybody! It doesn’t cost one cent to enter this contest or to win a prize. If you send no subscription to “Home Folks” and your list is the largest which correctly names the “H” objects in the picture, you will be awarded first prize of $40. How to Win the $1500 Remember, you do not need to send in any yg ae in order to win a cash prize. But if you send in $ 6-year subscription and the judges decide you win $200 instead of $40. If you send i in $2 for two 5-year subscriptions, and are awarded first ize, you get oes But HM ievtptt hay vend us $5 for Sue 6-year su! , and wi you get $1500; for the second best list ewe a for third best list $375, etc., as shown in Class D . prize po! tine thy Win you can. “HOME FOLKS” A Magazine for Everybody in the Family Itwill ae boe for you toget four of your friends totakeHome —_ forS —, Toe ore sting etnies, will count. You will enjoy every issue. Interesting stories, timely articles. gomeut news news. Romething for everybody in the faally. The best al bhome-magazine. ‘-HOME FOLKS COMPANY Dept, B-109, 25 North Dearborn St., Chicago, Hl. __
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LITTLE ADS Write to Riker & King, Advertising Offices, 118 East 28th Street, New York City, or 29 East Madison Street, Chicago, for particulars AGENTS AGENTS double. your money. POLMET polishing cloth cleans all metals. Retails 25 cents. Sample distribu’e samples to mer. Write quick for territory and particulars. rt Mills, Gen. Mgr., 5916 American Bidg., Cincinnati, Ohio. BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES 35 PER CENT PROFIT paid my associates in 45 days.. Proven Plan. $10 starts you. Interesting folders, Free. Wallace, 331-R, Mason Bidg., Los Angeles, Calif. HELP WANTED BE A RAILWAY TRAFFIC INSPECTOR! $110 to $250 monthly, expenses paid after 3 months’ spare-time study. Splendid opportunities. Position guaranteed or money refunded. Write for Free Booklet CM-101. Stand. Business Training Inst., Buffalo, N. Y. BE A DETECTIVE. Opportunity for men and women for secret investigation in your district. Write-C. T. Ludwig. 521 Westover Bidg.. Kansas City, Mo. LADIES WANTED, and MEN, wo, to acidress enrel- opes and miafl advertising matter at home for large mall order firms, spare or whole time. Can make $10 to $35 wkly. No capital or experience required. Book explahis everything: send 10 cis. to cover postage, ete. Ward Pub. Co., Tilton. N. A DETECTIVES EARN BIG MONEY. Great demand for men and women. Fascinating work. Particulars free. Write. American Petective Sy3tem. 1968 B’way, N. Y. MANUSCRIPTS WANTED STORIES, POEMS, PLAYS, etc., are wanted for publi- cation. Submit MSS. or write Literary Bureau. 515 Hannibal. Mo. MISCELLANEOUS goo correspondence paper and envelopes printed th your address. 60 cents per box postpaid. Samples free. H. F. Albers, 2101 Seneca St. St. Joseph, Mo. PATENTS PATENTS, Trademark, Copyright—foremost word free. Long experience as patent solicitor.e Prompt advice, charges very reasonable. Correspondence solicited. Re- sults procured. Motzger, Washington, D. C.- PERSONAL IF_ LONELY, write Doris Dawn, 10602 St. Cleveland, Ohio. ~ (Stamped envelope please). THOUSANDS! Worth to $45.000 want to marry. De- mee free. Mrs. Martin, B-1022, Wichita, anses. PHOTO POST CARDS, French landscapes, salons, ers. French beauties, heads. full figures, danc- ings posing. bathing: All exquisite, refined. natural colors. Splendid series, postpald, 50 cents, $k.00/ $3.00 or $5.00. §Send.U. S. stamps; or money regis- tered. Satisfaction, guaran‘eed. Many American cus- tomers’ references. E. Raveleau, 26 Rue Pasteur, Neuilly-Plaisence, France. Postage, 5 cents on your Clatr, letter. FOR OUR most successful marriage plan © write: Confidential, Box 35. League, Toledo, Ohio. FOR A CHARMING WIFE, write Mrs. F. Willard, 2928 Brovdway, Chicago, Tlinols. Enclose stamp. PRETTY MAIDEN worth $60,000 will marry soon. Box 55, Club, Oxford, Florida. QUICK HAIR GROWTH? Box Free To You! te Be Gaotred te: about advertising in this magazine. PERSONAL —Continued MARRY iF LONELY; successful “Home Maker;’* hundreds rich, contidential; reliable; years’ expert- ence; description free. ‘The Successful Club,” Box 556, Oakland, Calif. GET MARRIED—DBest matrimonial Mailed PRE. Address American 628, Blairsville, Pa. 1, MARRIAGE PAPER. 20th year. Big issue with descriptions, photos, names and addresses, 25 cents. No other fee. — Sent sealed. Box-2265R, Boston, Mass. MARRY—Directory free. Ladies and Gentlemen write far booklet Strictly contidentlal. National Agency, Dept, A., Kansas City, Mo. MARRY: Thousands congenial people, worth from $1,000 to, $50,000 seeking early marriage, descriptions, photos, introductions free. Sealed. Either sex. Send no money. Address Standard Cor. Club, Grayslake, Ul. SIXTH AND SEVENTH BOOKS OF MOSES. Ecyptian secrets. Black art, other rare books Catalog free. Star Book Co., 7822, 122 Federal St., Camden, N. J. WOULD you write a_wealfhy, pretty girl? (stamp) Lillian Sproul, Sta. H. Cleveland. Ohio. _ paper published. Distributor, Suite MARRY—MARRIAGE DIRECTORY with photos and descriptions free. Pay when married.’ The Exchange, Dept. 545, Kansas City, Mo. IF YOU WANT A WEALTHY, LOVING WIFE, write Violet Rays, Dennison, Ohio. . Enclose stamped envelope. MARRY RICH, hundreds anxious, descriptive list free, satisfaction guaranteed. Select Club, Dept. A, Rapld Clty, So, Dak. BEST, LARGEST MATRIMONIAL CLUB in Country. Established 17 Years. Thousands Wealthy wishing Early Marriage. Confidential, Free. The Old Reliable Club. Mrs. Wrubel, Box 26, Oaklagd, Calif. MARRY—Free photograp's, directory and descriptions of wealthy members. Pay when married. New Plan Co., Dept. 36, Kansas City, Mo. 2 sae ar yh WEALTH—Thovtends; worth oie: to ,000,- desire marriage. etos,. Introductions. descriptions free. Successful—confidential. SUNFLOWER CLUB, B-300. Cimarron, Kansa: iF YOU WANT NEW FRIENDS. WRITE BETTY LEE, weak Broadway, New York City, N. Y. Send stamp pase. EXCHANGE CHEERY INTERESTING LETTERS with new friends; lots of fun: enclosed stamp. Eva Moore, Rox 4309. Jacksonville, Fla SCIENTIFIC YOUR LIFE STORY in the stars. Send birth date and dime for trial reading. Sherman. Rapid City, 8S. Dak. ASTROLOGY—STARS ‘TELL LIFE’S STORY. Send birthdate and dime for trial reading. Eddy, Westport St., 33-73, Kansas City, Mo. SONGWRITERS ~ WRITE THE WORDS FOR A SONG—We compose music. Submit your poems fo us @t once. New York Melody Corporation, 405 Fitzgerald Bldg.. New York. TOBACCO HABIT TOBACCO or Snuff Habit cured or no pay. $1 _if cured. Remedy sent on trial. Superba Co. PC, Baltimore. Md. $< DIAMONDS -“WATCHES= / \ CASH or CREDIT white, berfors cot fees account. WristWa' , UNIQUE RUGS ARE MADE FROM REIN- DEER HIDES A: new article of commence is the reindeer car- pet, made by Port Clarence (Alas- ka). natives. The material used in this unique rug comes from the Alaskan reindeer, and each carpet, 12x14 feet, is composed of 900 pieces of the fur, alternately light and dark, cut dia- mond shaped and sewed with sinews. The bor- der, ten “inches wide, is also of the tiny squars, but nearly black. The lighter col- ored fur pieces are cut from the hide of the un- der part of the reindeer, darker gray being that over the back and flanks. Fur cut out of the hide from the head and neck fur- nishes the black squares of the~ border. Many reindeer have stone color- ed coats, with beards and a mane like buffalo growing down their breasts. io are spot- ted, Quaker gray and white, a the hair is short, soft and very thick. If the ani- mal is killed in early fall, the fur is prime and will not come out if tufts. The fur carpets when once laid, ially on wax- ed floors, will last indefinitely and may easily be swept and 4 cleaneds 5,4: ous
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. 7 ALASKA’S OLDEST BEAR IS SLAIN BY INDIAN What is be- lieved to be Alas- | bear | |} Was killed by an | dian hunter re- An- | ; thorage and the | a’s oldest fently near Skin and head S€nt to Seattle, Wash.., on the Steamship Queen. The animal was also of immense Size, the hide Measuring 11 feet ai ae Inch in length. he height of the ar was 6 feet at e ‘shoulder. The Indian hunter and white Men who traded Or the pelt esti- Mated the weight the animal at 1,700 pounds. The fact that Bruin was tooth- less and almost Clawless leads na- ives who have in- habited the An- Chorage section or generations to leve it is one Sng hunted. Their forefathers eld a grudge against an old bear, because in an early’ day, More thant half a Century ago, he _— alleged to ave cornered and destroyed half the in a little sea foast fishing vil- age. The déad bear Was of the Kod- lak Island species, ich are consid- Aa the” largest living bears. Th hey are fish eat- frs largely, but &re able to stalk large game. They are the only bears at do not turn and run from Man, but advance first to frighten e hunter. Country home of 2 wealthy salmon merchant. Into a Barrel,under eee bys z etc. ore CL. eS OPHONG. ‘ith Fu Pall I oremane S Of SECRET- WRITING a ae a Ink rick, (a Great Money maker) ALSO, NEW SCIENTIFIC WONDER ho 8 MONEY. -~Just your ae and Pay ae on arrival only 98c plus postage. YSTO WONDER to. ev 136 Liberty § Street, Dept. 36], New York City CURVER*® Fits the hand, cannot be seen, /3 , with it you can throw Big Wide/ } curves. Boys, get this Base Ball % curver and you can Fan 'Em as fast as they come to Bat. By mail z 10c, 3 for 25c with catalog of novelties. Dept. 845 Stamford Conn. Saves $10 to 625 on the Ranger Bie cycle you select from 44 Styles, colors and sizes. Delivered free on approval ex- ER) press prepaid for 30 pers Free Trial. gg eo lan. SENT PREPAID ONLY 500 Real revolver style. Absolutely harmless. Com- lies with all laws. Shoots real fire, yet cannot mm the hands or clothing. Cannct harm the smallest child, yet realistic enough to startle a thief or intruder. For tion and sport every man, woman and child should own one. Shoots 5.000 shots without reloading. 10,000 additional shots toe 0c. Order at once at this special price—<ion’t dela D. LEWIS COMPANY. 1400 Broadway, NEw. “"YorK . S2x4 ee — nities TIRE CORP. oe aie 2824 Wabash Avenue, Chicago
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Fame and Fortune Weekly —— LATEST ISSUES —— 837 The Way. To Fame; or, The Success of a Young Dramatist. 838 In the Money Game; or, The Luck of Two Wall Street Chums. 839 “ A Golden Treasure; or, The Mystery of an Old Trunk. J 0 “ Hal's Business Venture; or, Making a Success of Himself. 841 Aus the Man-eaters; or, The Secret of the Golden ge. 842 The Little Wall Street Speculator; or, The Boy Who Became a Stock Broker. 843 Old Hazard'’s Errand Boy; or, The Nerve That Won y. 5; or, The Strangest Tip In Wall Street. Bi em gh To Fortune and the Smart Boy Whe ‘oun t. ; 846 Broker Brown’s Boy; or, A Tough Lad From Mis- sourt. y 847 The Odds Against Him; or, A Boy With Grit. 88 A Boy With Brains; or, A Fortune From a Dime. 849 His Own Business; or, From Errand Boy To Boss. 850 The Banker's Plot; or, The Mysterious Boy From Cripple Creek. 851 After a Missing Million; or, The Treasure of the Wreck. 852 A Boy From the Streets; or, The Old Broker's Protege. 853 A Born Hustler; or, The Boy With the “Goods.” 854 we the Money-Maker; or, A Strange Lad tn Wall reet. 855 Out for Everything; or, The Boy Who Was Willed a_ Circus. 856 nae Street to Win; or, The Boy Who Got the oney. 857 A Young Sinbad; or, Wrecked on a Treasure Island. 858 Bill Bond’s Syndicate; or, A Fortune From a Two- Cent Stamp. 859 The Boy Who Vanished; or, The Treasure of the Incas. 860 eg Broker; or, The Success of a Wall Street oy. 861 Striking a Gooa Thing; Business, 862 Among the “Sharks”; or, Thé Lights and Shadows of Wall Street. 863 In Business for Himgelf; or, The Lad Who Made the Money.. 864 Charlie of the Curb; or, Beating the Mining Brokers. 865 A oe ip Rubies; or, The Richest Find in the orld, 866 = the Bank Messenger; or, The Boy Who Got 867 Contractor Boh; or, Fighting for/a Big Job. 868 A Nervy Deal; or, The Boy Who Bought a Railway. 869 In the Newspaper Game; or, The Rise of a Cub Reporter. 870 Up to the Minute; or, From Office Boy to Broker. 871 Full of Business; or, The Young Traveler for the Firm. 872 Baffling the Brokers; or, The Boy With the Iron erve. 873 After a Square Deal; or, The Riehest Claim in the est. : 874 Silver Dollar Sam; or, The Coin that Brought Him Luck. 875 Bound to Make His Mark; or, Running a Moving Pieture Show, 876 Ed, the Office Boy; or, The Lad Behind the Deals. Fer sale by all newsdealers, or will be sent to any - adéress on receipt of price, te per copy, in money of Postage stamps, by HARRY E. WOLFF, Publisher, Inc., 166 West 23d Street, $ New York City or, College Chums in HOW TO SCENARIOS Writ THEM - Price 88 Cents Per Copy ' hand, together with a full explanation of their meaning. 166 West 23d Street, ’ f OUR TEN-CENT HAND BOOKS Useful, Instructive and Amusing. They Conta Valuable Information on Almost Hyery Subject No. 56. HOW TO tive; together with a engineer should know. No, 58. HOW TO BE A DETECTIVE.—By O} Brady, the well-known detective. In which he noe oa some valuable rules for beginners, and also relates some adventures of well-known detectives. No. 60. HOW TO BECOME A PHOTOGRAPHER — Containing useful information regarding the Camera oF zon te — it; or pales So make Photographie Magic antern es and other Transpa 5 jasten & parencies Handsomely No. 64 HOW TO MAKE ELECTRICAL MACHIN —Containing full directions for making poh sn = ——— —e a Rag ands many novel toys . o wor y electricity. . A. R. Be * I illustrated. 7 a No, 66. HOW TO DO PUZZLES.—Containing o three hundred interesting puzzles and conundrums, wi key to same. A complete book. Fully illustrated. No, 67. HOW TO DO ELECTRICAL TRIC taining a large collection of instructive per er amusing electrical tricks, together with illustrations. F A. Anderson. No. 68. HOW TO DO CHEMICAL TRICKS.—Con- taining over one hundred highly amusing and instrue- tive tricks with chemicals. By A. Anderson. Hand- somely illustrated. No. 69. HOW TO DO SLEIGHT-OF-HAND, - wing. over a of ba Panay | and best tricks aa oy mag ns. so containin e secret of seco! Fully fllustrated. : we ste: No. 70, HOW TO MAKE MAGIC TOYS.—Contaj full directions for making Magic Toys and devi many kinds. Fully illustrated. — No. 71. HOW TO DO MECHANICAL TRICKS.— Containing complete instructions for formi sixty Mechanical Tricks. Fully illustrated. ea No. 72. {wow 20 po sriry TRICKS WITH c —Embracing all of the latest and most d i ecard tricks, with illustrations. a No. 74. HOW TO WRITE LETTERS CORR —Containing full instructions for writing lettese al almost any subject; also rules for punctuation and com- position, with specimen letters. No. 76. HOW TO TELL FORTUNES BY THE HAND.—Containing rules- for telling fortunes by the oe Oe lines of ae or the secret of palmistry, e secret of telling future events by aid marks, scars, ete. Illustrated. ‘4 — No. 77. HOW TO DO FORTY TRICKS wire Sy Gatlin comin per le — Tricks as perlesaall y leading conjurers and magicians. Arran f 7 amusement. Fully fllustrated. and Son boaay No. 80. GUS WILLIAMS’ JOKE BOOK.—Containing the latest jokes, anecdotes and funny stories of this world-renowned German comedian. Sixty-four page ~ egg colored cover, containing a half-tone ph o author. No, 82.° HOW TO DO PALMISTRY.—Containing most approved methods of reading the lines on the Also epeiame Toxenaiony. and the ke character by t bumps on the head. Koch, A. C. 8. Fully illustrated. No. 83. HOW TO HYPNOTIZE.—Containing val and instructive information regarding the science oe a ees aoe Svareces m which are employ y the lea Ypnotists of world, By Leo Hugo Koch, A. C. %. For er y all newsdealers, or will be sent to any dress on receipt of price, Ic. per copy, in money or stamps, by HARRY E. WOLFF, Publisher, Inc New Yor for télling y Leo Hugo a