Highland recorder. (Monterey, Highland County, Va.) 1877-1972, 1912-03-01

7 read the staring hoadllne:
OBSTRUCTION OF THE GREAT
DIRIGIBLE."
Crewe had seen 1t as we'll. He
smiled grimly.
IF only they had arrested Fenelon,"
he muttered. why there he goes,
Langton."
Surely enough the Alsatian doctor
came strutting along the path, dressed
In full regimentals. He saw us from
afar and, turning, came toward US,
hating close at hand.
"Ha, the spies!" he said viciousy.
"You will find it goes hard with you,
for we do not love spies in Germany.
"You are lying" said Crewe, and,
breaking from his captor, he struck
the doctor upon his face with his open
hand. Instantly the latter drew his
sword and rushed at the aggressor'
Crewe seized the point of the blade
the moment that it left the scabbard
and. with a powerful wrench, snapped
it in two and threw the pieces on the
ground. l saw blood follow them
from his wounded hands.
AS for the orderly, he stood as II
petrifed. From every quarter officers
came running up. The doctor, over
whelmed by this disaster, which
meant, according to the German code,
dismissal from the service, remained
with hanging head upon the gravel
path.
Doctor, you must consider yourself
under arrest" said the adjutant, COM
ing UP to him and taking him by the
arm. GAS for these fellows"
He looked as if he we're about to
run us through His fingers twitched
upon the hilt of his sword. Then he
issued a brief command and the or
derlies seized us by the arms and
forced US over the quadrangle into
the guard house.
It'll go hard with us unless you,
can prove your case, Crewe," I said
later.
But I can" he said confidently. II
snapped his sword, Langton, not only
in self-defense, but that he might be
detained in barracks. We must not
let that murderer escape. If he could
have resisted the temptation to taunt
us he would doubtless be on his way
to the frontier, for he knew that he
was discovered" He went to the door.
"Orderly," he called, 81 wish to send
a note to the general"
He scrubbed a few words on sheet
Of parer and handed it to the man
with a gold piece. The orderly took
both in silence and turned away.
What did you write, Crewe" I
asked.
why, very little, Langton," he an
swered. you have frequently been
pleased to comment upon my faculty
for remembering every face that |
have ever seen during my lifetime.
Now the fact is that, when I was in
Germany many years ago, l saw Cen
eral Won Stimm four times, twice I'M
der discrsditable circumstances. This
Is a little reminder, stronger than the
last. 1t will bring him."
1t did. Half an hour later we were
again in the generals presence. His
face was white with agitation and he
wiped his damp brow nervously.
How much do you want?" he ask
ed Crewe bluntly.
General" said Crewe, "once before
you misunderstood my offer and, but
for lucky circumstance, murderer
would have continued to disgrace the
German uniform. / want no money.
I want to punish him and save the
army's honor. The balloon has been
found. Where was it found?"
"At Blumdahl," he answered.
'It will not be touched or moved for
twenty-four hours?'
mot for two days. Soldiers are
guarding the place Were it fell"
at was destroyed?'
The general nodded.
"Fake US there Immediately. And
let military court be ready to con-
vene the moment that you return, for
DR.. Fenelon will have to stand his
trial for murder"
when do you wish to start?"
within the hour" Crewe answered.
Gentlemen" said the general, II
do not know who the devil you are, or
why you have come here, but it shall
be IS you request. You are freed
from arrest. I will drive with you to
the railroad station and thence &C
company you to the locality"
Blumdahl was a small village some
five and eighty miles distant from
Hamburg. A special train was requi-
sitioned, and at eight o'clock that eve.
ming we three disembarked at the rail.
road station. 1t was not yet dark,
and when we had crossed the main
street in the direction of open coun-
try we saw a large crowd gathered
around the remnants of the balloon.
A quarter of a miles walk brought
us to the spot. A company of SOL
diers who were on guard admitted us
to the site where the dirigible lay. 1t
had fallen from an immense height,
and with incredible velocity, for the
wickerwork of the basket was smash.
ed into innumerable chips of wood
which lay strewn over the ground,
while the speed of the descent had
ripped the gas bag from its frame
covering so that hardly particle of
it remained Within a radius of a
hundred yards lay the broken rem
nants of the instruments. But the
most singular fact was that, while the