The Bamberg herald. [volume] (Bamberg, S.C.) 1891-1972, 1905-10-12

L
Several weeks ago Pelissier, who en-
joyed to a remarkable degree the conf
dence of his officers, disappeared from
AvignOn, where he was serving as
private in the First Company of the
Fifty-eighth Infantry Regiment. and
shortly afterward number of impor-
tant documents were missing from the
bureau of the chief of the regimental
staff including the plans for the mo-
bilization of the French army on the
Alpine frontier. That these documents
were of real Importance is shown by
the fact that considerable alterations
have since had to be made in the or
ganiZation of the Alpine defenses,
while the price that the German agent
paid for them exceeded $4,000.
Pelissier, who is the son Of respect
able parents and native Of the south
of France, had bad military record,
and for previous act of desertion had
served for number of years in the
dreaded compagnie de discipline at
Biribi, black sheep corps. composed
exclusively of convicts and deserters.
who, in the torrid climate of Algeria,
lead the life of slaves, being employed
on the most unhealthful and burden
some tasks and punished with cruelest
severity at the slightest sign of revolt.
This experience may have completed
the decentralization Of Pelissier, whose
behavior, however, was so good as
quickly to obtain for him promotion
to the rank Of frst-class soldier in an
ordinary marching regiment. Frank
in appearance, smart at his duties and
exceptionally we'll spoken, Peiissier
became such a favorite with his SUI
periors that, though in view of his
shady past he could not get stripe,
he acquired the nickname of the ''lit-
e tie captain" and was not only con-
stantly in receipt of special favors for
himself, but able to obtain them for
his comrades.
At this juncture he made the ac-
quaintance. in cafe at Avignon, of
well dressed and we'll hammered indi-
vidual named Muller, who appeared to
take a great fancy to him, treated him
to quantities Of drink, encouraged him
to talk, and finally, on the strength Of
being the correspondent of an illus
trated paper, engaged him as copyist
"a task for which his military duties
left him sufficient leisure. Muller was
in reality the head of German mill
tary spy; agency, with his headquar-
tiers in the Rue Banning, in Brussels,
but the-young soldier did not know this
at first, and merely marveled at the
handsome payment which he received
for copying out articles of no apparent
significance.
Soon this new source Of income
tempted him to indulge in expensive
amusements which Muller encoura ged
adroitly, and he fell deeply in debt.
Muller, who knew that Pelissier had
been in trouble before, now tempted
him with larger sums, and told him
plainly that he was seeking for infor-
nation on technical military topics.
The web which be spun about the
French soldiers conscience tightened
its tolls almost imperceptihly. An at
tractive young woman appeared upon
the scene, introduced by Muller, and
Pelissier quickly fell victim to her
charms. He little guessed that she,
too, was an agent Of the German Intel
ligence Department. Her extravagant
tastes, which he endeavored to satisfy,
plunged him deeper and deeper in debt.
He went to Muller and begged for an
immediate loan of $1OO. Muller
promptly threw off the mask. II can
give you nothing more" he said, "un-
less you consent to procure for me cop
les of documents marked CONFIDENTIAL
which are locked up in the Office Of
your regmental staff"
'But then you are spy" exclaimed
Pelissier, in horror ''You have been
a long time finding that out" was the
cynical reply. "And, suppose I de-
nounce you," said the soldier. II
should be far away by then," returned
Muller, "and in the meanwhile should
let your colonel know Of the documents
you have already furnished, and that
means-back to Biribi.''
Pelissier, according to his own &C.
count, thus found himself unable to
recede. At the bidding Of his pitiless
taskmaster he took impressions Of the
locks in the bureau of the regimental
staff AMI stole document after docu-
ment, replacing, them after they had
beenScoried by Muller. He rarely had
time to ascertain their contents. Only
once wa he: able to make selection,
and this was when he secured, with
the assistance of another soldier.
Bez, whom he had corrupted and who
has sirce confessed and been con-
demned, the plan Of the French Al
pine deferses and details Of French es-
pionage in Italy.
He then deserted and fed to Geneva,
subsequently meeting Muller at Milan,
where $1,000 was paid to him to COM
plete the price Of his treason. Muller
now urged PeIfssier to join him as a
professional spy, and introduced him
to an officer of the German General
S+oAf o& Coloono neintinc his fltllre in