A MARKED MAN.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 53, 2 March 1907, Page 12

A MARKED MAN.

CFrom Our Special Correspondent) LONDON, January 11. According to the "Evening News," the most sought-after man in the world is' Mr. G. B. Austin, the Australian inventor, who has just been able to place safely in the hands of the War Department offici ' i his latest invention, which, it L •■laimed, will revolutionise naval warfare. How he was shadowed for 11,000 miles by secret service agents of several nations anxious to gain possession of his secret, and how he has been almost constantly watched since his arrival in London—even in the West End Hotel, where he is temporarily making his home—was told by Mr. Austin to a "News"' representative. Mr. Austin has worked unceasingly for the past two years jto persuade the officials of the War Department to investigate his invention, which will make it possible to sight a big gun with absolute accuracy up to a range of twelve miles. His patriotism caused Mm to reject all approaches from the agents of foreign governments, and he at last was given a year's leave and full pay and instructions to leave his position in the Government service in Melbourne. From day to day an intimation of the importance of Mr. Austin's invention was circulated strange experiences began to befall him. Scarcely six months after he placed himself in secret communication -with the "War Department he was surprised one morning to find that all his papers at his house in Caufield had- been tampered with. After investigation, Mr. Austin transferred several important-looking documents from his house to his office. Only a few days afterwards he discovered that the combination in the safe had been solved, and his papers, rifled. But the plans of the invention were not there. A few days afterwards the inventor's wife discovered the sen ant in the act of searching Mr. Austin's desk. The girl was immediately dismissed, thougfr~she denied being in the pay of anyone, and gave as an excuse for sea.rcb.ing ttie desk that she was looking for a pen. Shortly after Mr. Austin prepared to leave Australia. All arrangements for his leave of absence were made through a British, secret service agent in Melbourne, who also provided Mr. Austin with a guard for his journey. The agent gave him specific instructions concerning keeping to himself on board the Mongolia, on which he and Ms guard sailed for London. He was not to speak to strangers, drink at the ship's bar, or walk too dose to the ship's railings after dark. Notwithstanding all these warnings, Mr. Austin was twice the victim of attempts to search both himself and bis cabin both of which he was luckily able to' foil. He was induced to make an appointment to go ashore at Marseilles, but did not keep it; the man who went in his stead was knocked on the head and searched. Both Germans and Japanese have been to him and tried to make him part with his secret, hut he has now succeeded in safely brin<»in<» it to *he War Office, / °