Wichita eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1886-1890, 1888-07-27
THE MAN In BLACK.

/ been detailed and sent to one Oh the largest
inland cities in the confederacy to super
/ intend the manufacture Of bombs and tor
pedoes.
Everything moved along satisfactorily
until the chemist connected with the
works made a reckless experiment, one
day, and blew himself up. The force of
the explosion was so great that not a
! piece Of the unfortunate man could be
found.
II wouldn't have minded it 80 much, "
said the major to his friend, the provost
marshal, "if the fellow hadn't carried of
lot of valuable papers with him. He
! knew lots of chemical secrets, and he had
his formulas written out, and they were
in his pocket when he left"
''You might advertise" suggested the
provost marshal.
"Good idea," replied the major; 'I'll
! do it,
The next morning the city papers con-
| tanned q short advertisement, stating that
a first class chemist could secure employ
ment, with a good salary, at the govern
ment works.
At that time there were very few idle
chemists in the confederacy, and after
waiting several days, the major began to
think that he would have to send to Rich
mond for a man.
One night. when he was alone in his Of
fee, he commenced letter to the secre-
tary of war. He had just penned re-
quest for the immediate detail of an ex-
perienced expert, when he became con-
| scious of the presence of another person in
the room.
81 didn't see him, and I didn't hear
him." said the major afterward, 'but
could feel my flesh crawl, and knew that
| something was up"
| The major wheeled around in his chair
and saw man standing just inside the
door, The stranger was tall and thin,
and his black suit contrasted strangely
with his pale face and white hands
Maj Dalton noted these points. In
addition to his black attire, the mans
hair and eyes were of the same somber
shade. He even wore a black watch
chain, a pair of black trimmed eyeglasses,
and black seal ring.
| The officer gave sharp look at his
visitors face, but its dead whiteness was
as expressionless as a mask.
"Ahemr' calculated the major.
/ ~ must introduce myself" said the
stranger stepping forward. "My name is
! Peilico. / am a chemist, and / am IA
miliar with the manufacture of explosives.
saw your advertisement and decided to
offer my services"
He spoke rapidly, in a musical voice,
with slight foreign accent.
"You are not an American" said the
major.
italian, briefly responded the other;
81 belong To family of famous chemists,
4 I~a, AorIxv
ment in Europe"
Just then the maio remembered that
he had sentry stationed in front of the
office.
"Confound It, sir!'' no broke out
angrily; show did you get in9''
II beg Jour pardon, ~ answ cred Pellico,
courteously. when your Office was
pointed out to me walked in"
''But the sentry, the guard?"
ooh, the soldier-I simply passed him
by"
'You ran the risk of getting shot,"
growled the major.
''Not at all; there was no danger" was
the quiet reply.
Pellico's manner impressed the officer,
and he asked his visitor for his creden-
tials.
recommendation from Spanish officer Of
high rank in Cuba.
$50 you have not been long in this coun-
try" remarked the Confederate.
"Ten days I slipped through the
blockaders, landed in Florida and then
came here"
Further conversation did not cause him
to say anything that was inconsistent with
his first account OF himself
In the course OF half an hour Maj Dali
ton was ready to admit that he was in the
presence Of man of superior intellect,
profession.
The interview resulted in the engage
ment of Pellico, and on the following
morning he went to work.
From the very outset the man in black
gave perfect satisfaction, but he made no
friends. The men called him Mr. Mid
night" and the officers quietly agreed
among themselves that he was a mystery,
very useful. no doubt, but disagreeable
companion.
1t did not take long to make the dis.
covery that the Italians bombs and tor
made
L
the Office of Maj. Dalton.
Major said he, after some talk about
powder, gun cotton, Greek fire and other
matters, 1.-The main object Of our explo-
siyes is to destroy the enemy;'
''Unl, well yes to q certain extent" re-
piled the gallant Confederate.
"What do you think, then, of bomb
that is capable of doing hundred fold
4 in
at would be big thing"
well" continued Pellico. ~ have in
vented il. l have chemical compound
that can be projected into the enemy's
lines through the medium Of a shell, and
when the shell bursts q deadly vapor
spreads over an area of 100 yards, killing
every living thing. One shell is capable
of killing an entire regiment"
'Why, my God. man, exclaimed the
major, "that would be murderl'
And what is war;" asked Pellico in
his low, soft voice
The subject did not drop there. The
man in black mad % much to say abou,
his invention that the major found him
self deeply interested.
This little thing" said Pellico, ex-
hibiting something that looked like pill
covered with TIL foil, "would kill hcuss
full Of people"
SIT is hard to believe.
LET me convince you," urged the
chemist IF vou viii walk square With
me VIII show you something
The major objected. but the Italian as
sured him that his intended victims were
several hogs IN the rear of the Office.
When they reached the place they
found the hnfs auiefly suooziuZ IN fence