The Atlanta constitution. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1885-19??, 1888-02-28
THE MAN TN BLACK.
by Wallace i. Reed.

the chemist CONuPcltb HlJf lIIc NuTbS Dldte II
reckless experiment, one day, and blew HIM
self up. The force Of tho explosion was so
great that not piece of the unfortunate man
could be found
III wouldn't have minded 1t so much" said
the major to his friend, the provost marshal, "if
the fellow hadn't carried off a lot Of valuable
papers with him. lie 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 pro-
vost marshal.
"Good iden," replied the major, "I'll do it."
The next morning the city papers contained
q short advertisement stating that first-class
chemist could secure employment with good
salary at 'he government works.
At that time there we're very few idle
chemists in the confcderacy, and after waiting
several days the major began to think that he
would have to send to Richmond for n man.
One night, when he was alone in his Office
he commenced a letter TO the secretary OF war
He had just penned n request for the immedi-
ate detail of an experienced expert when no
became conscious OF the presence Of another
person in the room.
~ didn't see him. and didn't hear him."
said the major afterwards, "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 Sim, and his black suit
contrasted strangely with his pale face and
white hands.
Major Dalton noted these points. In addi-
tou to his black attire, the mans hair and
eyes were Of the same sornbre shade. Jlc even
woe black watch chain, pair Of black
trimmed Eyeglasses, and black seal ring.
The officer gave q sharp look at his visitors
face, but its dead Wilderness was as expression
less as q mask.
"Ahem!" calculated the major.
81 must introduce myself" said the stranger
10
a chemist, and I am familiar with the manu-
Iacturo OF explosives. ! saw your adv crtise-
ment and decided to offer my services"
He spoke rapidly. i'll musical voice, with a
slight foreign accent.
''You arc not an American" said the major
"iaan," briefly responded the other, II
belong to family Of famous chemists, and We
have served nearly every government in
Europe"
just then the major remembered that he
had sentry stationed in front Of the office.
"Coniounded it, sir" he broke out angrily,
show did you get in ?"
~ beg your PARDON answered pello, cour-
teously. when your Office was pointed out
to me ] walked in"
"But the sentry, the guard?"
ooh, the soldier simply passed him by"
"You ran the risk OF getting shot" growed
fho major
Not at ALL there was no DANGER" was the
quiet reply.
Peico's manner impressed the officer, and
he asked his visitor for his credentials
Tho man in black produced letter of
recommendation from Spanish officer of
high rank in Cuba.
$50 you have not been long in this
country" remarked the confederate.
Ten days. / slipped through the block
nders, landed in Florida, and then came
here"
Further conversation did not cause him to
say anything that inconsistent with his
first account of himself
In the course OF half an hour Major Dalton
was ready to admit that he was in the presence
of man of superior intellect, and one who
doubtless was nlaster of his profession.
The interview resulted In the engagement of
Pellco. 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 "Nlr. Midnight" and the
officers quietly agreed among themselves that |
he was a mystery, very useful, no doubt, but
disagreeablc companion.
IL did not take long to make tho discovery |
that the Italians bombs and torpedoes were |
the best that had ever been made.
One night Pelico paid another visit to the
Office Of Major Dalton.
"Major," said he, after some talk about |
powder. gun cotton, Greek fire and other mat
tiers, "the main object of our explosives is to
destroy the enemy2'
"um, well yes. To a certain extent" replied
the gallant confederate.
What do You think then of bomb that is
capable Of doing hundred fold moro damage
than any now in uSC:'
at would be n big thing"
"Well,' continued Fellico. 81 have invented
Il. have u chemical compound that can be
projected into the encWy's lines through tho |
medium Of shell, aud when the she'll bursts
IA deadly yapor spreads over an area of hum
dred yards killing very living thing. One
shell is capable g Hing an entire regiment"
"Why, my God, man" exclaimed the
major, that would be murder"
And what is warp asked Pcllico in his
low, soft voice.
The suhjcc, did not drop there. The man in
black had SO much to say about his invention
that the major found himself deeply in
terested.
something that looked like y pill covered with
tin foil, would kin q House full of people"
1T is hard to believe
"Let mo convince You" urged the chemist
"lf YOU will walk a square with Inc | win show |
you something
The major objected, but the Italian assured |
him that his intended victims were several |
hogs IN the rear ci thc office
When they reached the place they found the
hogs quietly sueotug in fence corner.
Thoy thcn retired fifty yards or SO, and
Pollico blow iis little pin through a hollow
cane.
"Wait three minutes, lac said
Al the expiration ut the timo the two APP
preached the iorc2 corner.
-Four large hess lazy stretched ont on the
ground ltrcqWced only glance 10 see that
Now said the chemist as they walked
away, this eNpcrimcnt is ON very small
scale, hut You can foam an idea from what You
have seem
"lt is aatoushng," commented the major.
"Nothmg To what 1 have done" said the
man IN black In Cuba | took u sling and
throw ball ~ this stut as hig as my fist into
village Tho next morning 1t was found
that all the inhabitants, some three or four
hundred, were dead. People outside supposed
that II was some mysterious epidemic, but il
was not"
Major Dalton drew himself aloof from his
companion.
Aud yol killed those innocent people for
nothing lac asked Indignantly.
In the interests Oi science. my dcag major
Besides they were native CHbanS. | would
not have treated genuine Spaniards that
way
The major pulled his mustaoho aud walked
on IN silence for few minutes
What do you proposoG' he asked after
some reelection
My scheme is big one" replied Police
"A few little pvilcts thrown into Libby. Sails
bury and AnavramNilc viii rid Us of all the
3 q d. .,