The National tribune., 1902-07-31
A FRIEND WITH THE
COUNTERSIGN
Continued from first page,

''That proves nothing. When was it
that he got away!
1.-The 18th, sir.''
"And what have you been doing since,
Berwick?'
Il was going to tell you, General. On
the 10th / recaptured Owen and Scher-
zer."
what! Upon my soul. Why didn't
you tell me that before? Where is Scran-
ton?'
Il am afraid he is in Richmond, Gen
eral."
What do you mean, MANI"
"He escaped again, General, or rather
Hampton's cavalry picked him up. Please
let me tell you the whole thing, sir"
When l had concluded my narrative,
and had shown Gen. Meade the receipt l
had taken for the two prisoners, he had
the goodness to say that he had been
wrong in scOlding me.
General" said 1, II haven't told you
all yet" ~.
"Well, what more?'
81 think Owen is inferior to Scherzer."
"What do you mean 10y that? Less a
- rascal?'
mo, sir; mean to say that Scherzer
is not the servant, but the master"
l told him Show Slter's opinion, and the
Mexico. Gen. Meade made no response
to these uuerances, yet l could see that
he was very serious, watching me intent
ly while l was speaking. When l had
finished, he said gravely: "See that you
tell no man your suspicious. This is a
dangerous affair. Berwick. 1t would have
been better if you had killed Scherzer.
OF course, l don't mean that exactly; but
if you had crushed his skull, it would
have simplified matters very much. Now,
let me tell you, we must not give him up
yet. We must get him out. How we are
going to do it dent see, but if it can be
done-if you can do it, your fortune is
made"
HE is in Richmond, General"
Other people can get into Richmond.
You mean to suggest, Gen-
what to do. Go to Dr. Khayme. Tell
him these things confdentially. Tell him
what l want, and what you want to do,
and see if he can help you. He's a Won
derful man, that Doctor, upon my soul he
is"
General, need rest I've told you
was sick in the Chickahominy Swamp,
but have not told you all of it. ] had
hard fight, and / need rest"
Certainly, Berwick; 1 shall require
nothing of you except to try to get Scher-
zer and Scranton. No; never mind about
Owen; get Scherzer. Take all the rest
you need, of course, Berwick. Go to DR..
Khayme. You and he can devise plan i;
make good scheme; take all the rest you
need. Report to me again in a day or
two. I'll help you all l can, and that's
thing necessary; don't stint; make good
plan, no matter what it costs-we must
put stop to this thing"
And now l sought my dearest friends.
Lydia was with her father. Under an
open fly the two were sitting, unmindful of
my approach. And l was afraid-afraid
that my sudden appearance, after so long
a time, would prove shock; knew that
my sufferings had changed me greatly. So
sent York forward with it. Dusk was
gathering. In the west q heavy cloud
bank betokened rain, and the darkening
northern horizon flashed Internationally
over the whole quarter. / saw Lydia take
the paper; l saw her rise at once, and
hand it to her father, and then turn with
eager questions to the negro York point
ed, and l rushed to my loved ones.
But" said the Doctor, after while,
why did you not see Lydia on the 31st?"
"Her ship came up to the landing as
l marched away from White House with
the Eighteenth Corps"
"And on the 14th?"
"Capt. Orr of Gen. Abercrombie's staff,
told me the medical people had all sailed
on that very morning"
1T was true" said Lydia; 1--WE reached
White House late on the 3fst of May, and
left it early on the 18th Of June"
And each day l missed you by few
hours" said /.
My friends were speedily made aware
Of our inheritance in the person of York,
and he was welcomed and given place.
When not needed for work in connection
with ny duties, he was to look after all
the horses, and to make himself generally
useful.
To my story about Scherzer and Sho-
walter, and the project in regard to Mex
leo, DR.. Khayme listened without emo
ton; then he said:
'You have already told these things to
Gen. Meade, no dOubt!"
'Yes. Doctor"
"And you found that he had previously
known"
''He did not tell me plainly; but l in
ferred that he knew something. He COM
mands me to continue I1y efforts to cap
ture Scherzer, and refers me to you for
guidance"
at will not be easy to take Scherzer"
he said.
'He is no doubt safe in Richmond and
will not leave it." said I.
''You cannot ride into Richmond at the
head Of cavalry regiment"
No; the thing must be done by STRAIT
agem."
'.The negro can help"
81 have thought so.''
"Well," said DIR. Khayme, 81 will think
about it; meantime, get good rest. In n
day or two / will see Gen. Meade and
talk with HIN about these things You
need rest, Jones; go to bed"
"One moment, Doctor. Can you NOT let
me into this Scherzer secret? Who is
"An envoy of Napoleon, as you sus-
pected."
"But why was he in the Federal army,
to be Il servant of q pretended
Federal ofiicer?'
'.Napoleon'ss first efforts were for Fed
the Federal Congress voted against the
in Mexico, Scherzer decided to
try the Confederacy; this much is pretty
clear, and the rest is not important to
know. Gen. Meade naturally feels that the
Frenchman's efforts to trade with the Con
federates should be defeated; that is all
that concerns us"
.'Let me tell you thought have had"
Certainly"
"Is it not possible that there was more
than one diplomat sent to the United
States. and that while Scherzcr was the
one selected to attach himself to the
army, the others were in Washington"
Yes; that is not only possible, but even
likely"
Can you tell me moreT'
"Oh, yes; I'd rather you would go to
bed, but I'll relieve your curiosity first.
Schcrzer landed in Now YorL nc n Ruc-