, "and have him get Captain
Williams. I'm down and probably Dr. Briscoe will be down in a few
minutes. Telephone the commanding officer and tell him to quarantine
the whole proving ground. Have the telephone orderly wake everyone on
the post and order them to close all windows in all buildings and not
to venture outside until they get fresh orders. This seems to be the
same stuff they had in Belgium last December."

As the last words came from his lips he slowly stiffened and slumped
toward the ground. The sergeant and the orderly picked him up and
carried him to a bed in the emergency ward. The orderly hurried away
to close all of the hospital windows while Sergeant Connors took down
the receiver of the telephone and began to carry out the Major's
orders.

* * * * *

Dr. Bird glanced at the news-paper clipping which Operative Carnes of
the United States Secret Service laid on his desk. Into his eyes came
a curious glitter, sure evidence that the famous scientist's interest
was aroused.

"Last December when we discussed this matter, Doctor," said the
detective, "you gave it as your opinion that Ivan Saranoff was at the
bottom of it and that the same plague which devastated the Meuse
Valley in Belgium would eventually make an appearance in the United
States. You were right."

Dr. Bird bounded to his feet.

"Is Saranoff back on this side of the Atlantic?" he demanded.

"Officially, he is not. Every customs inspector and immigration
officer has his photograph and no report of his arrest has come in,
but we know Saranoff well enough to discount negative evidence where
he is concerned. Whether he is here or not, the plague is."

"When did it appear?"

"Last night at the Aberdeen Proving Ground in Maryland. It has killed
eight or ten and twice as many more are sick. The place is quarantined
and a rigid censorship has been placed over the telephones, but it is
only a matter of time before some press man will get the story. I have
a car waiting below and a pass signed by the Secretary of War. Grab
what apparatus you need and we'll start."

Dr. Bird pressed a button on his desk. A tall, willowy girl entered,
notebook in hand. Carnes glanced with keen appreciation at her slim
beauty.

"Miss Andrews," said the doctor, "in five minutes Mr. Carnes and I
will leave here for Aberdeen Proving Ground in the Government car
which is waiting below. You will see that Mr. Davis is in that car and