The Washington times., 1911-06-12
THE TIMES DAILY SERIAL STORY
THE VINTAGE
Ru JOSEPH STARTS
Copyright. 1911, The Frank A. Munsey Company

Stlber, smiling ana glancing from one
to tG.h the ct ether r.; Here Is my captain who
who does the impossible things. pot yet
thirty years old. And now you, whom
,ney have selected at Washington for
!" The atrocious crime of being a
young man." Dahlgren quoted, with a
gay laugh: And he. too, looked in
frank admiration at Grigg. But your
captain has done more than all the
sit in their chairs. groaning and de-
sparing behind an army of 10000 men
he comes down here all alone and
forges a thunderbolt!'
'1alking of chairs" said Silber, "be
seated, gentlemen, and try those cigars.
They're not Havanas. but that's not
/ your fault, with your blockade"
Dahlgren complied at once.
II DROPPED a leg last summer, you
leather cushioned armchair; and I'm
still so new to this confoupded cork
thing that it tires me to stand on II
long,
Captain Grigg accepted a cigar from
of sitting, began to walk TO and fro
in the room.
Colonel Dahlgren," said he, chewing
on the unlighted cigar. what, may
ask, has been the cause Of this delay?'
"A month ego l reported all ready,
every prison in Richmond organized. I
pointed out that all further delay great
ly increases the danger of detection.
urged that advantage be taken Of the
month there have fallen only few in
considerable showers and SHOWS. Yet
the cavalry expedition which I must
await does not come. Week after week
goes by. Ny thousands of impatient
men are left to eat out their hearts bere
in their prisons. Finally we are told
that Colonel Dahlgren must first come
down and inspect things"
"Ah, hardly that" Dahlgren protest.
so ed flushing and h. half lifting s,h hi~sfs tbf
impatience of the volunteer. captain"
Il show that I realize the useless
risks from delay.
It's true you were personally but
little known at washington and
Because l stayed where / belonged,
with my regiment, not running after
politicians for promotion"
Exactly, and in honorable contrast
to some officers. But had asked the
privilege of leading the expedition
ton thought 1 ought first to slip down
here, get into perfect understanding
with you, and famiiarize myself with
your whole plan"
report 1 sent to Washington by way of
Fortress Monroe"
True, but some parts OF it seemed
so hazardous 1t was thought best to
have another judgment coincide with
yours
And meantime" said Grtgg, bitterly,
this delay of weeks and weeks, the
added chance that the spring rains will
set in, the increasing likelihood Of dis
covery-all these count for naught.'
The delay certainly was ill-advised,
I see now. If l get back through the
lines, shall urge instant action"
Thank Cod intertected Silber Then
maybe l shall get good nights rest
soon, and no longer dream unpleasantly
Of ropes"
Grigg stopped short in front Of Dahl
gren's chair. folded his arms, and lookk
ed steadily down at him.
You visited with me tonight, SIR"
said he, the different parts of the city.
Is there anything further that requires
II think not" Dahlgren replied after
a moments pondering. blowing slow
coils of gray smoke from his lips. II
saw your signals answered from the
windows of every prison we passed;
u.s."
"They had reason enough, "Grigg NUT
tered grimly. Tonight they lie down
cold and hungry, and warm themselves
with the thought that I'm watching and
working for them"
You told me how you opened COM
munication with Belle Isle by hiding a
list of signals in a plug of tobacco which
you tossed into a column of prisoners.
But how did you connect with the
Libby?"
'On rainy nights the guards in the
street often take shelter against the
walls and talk with prisoners. Many
of the militia are disaffected, several
even in the plot. ! acted as a substi-
tute for a German, their discipline being
lax. and so got to talk with Colonel
Streight"
How did you connect with Castle
"Colored women were formerly allow
ed to do washing and mending for the
prisoners. One Of them acted as my
go-between."
The Smith and Pemberton prisons?"
Their cooking is done in the kitchen
of the Libby. A detail under guard
marches back and forth with the ra-
tions. Aa they pass beneath the win
dows of the Libby, officers drop down
to them, and sometimes
conceal a message that way. After or
ga nizing the Libby II was a simple mat
ter to get the Smith and Pemberton.
And much in the same fashion I reach
ed all"
prepared to rise at your signal?'
within each prison I have perfected
a secret organization of several hun
dred men. The members of these groups
are prepared for my signal, and they
will carry their comrades along with
them as a matter of course.
Continuation of This Story VIII Be
Found in Tomorrow Issue
of The Times.)