Montpelier examiner. [volume] (Montpelier, Idaho) 1895-1937, 1912-03-15

der the name Of Reich. was not very |
far distant from that which l had en-
gagged under an assumed name. At
midnight | woult, arm myself, put on
my stewards coat, and boldly enter
his cabin and search for the treaty,
cowing Stapfhaus with my revolver.
When | had found it-and l did not
doubt that 1t would be about his per-
son or under his uiIlow-or, II II
should unhappily be necessary, when
had taken his life, l would run with
all haste to my cabin, doff the stew
ards coat. throw 1t through the port
hole. and assume the role OF the
wealthy gentleman whom the agonies
of sea sickness had hitherto prevent
ed from leaving his cabin. The plan
was perfect and could hardly fail me.
At midnight on the third night |
put my plan into execution. 1t was
my turn of duty. The lights were
low; the passengers, not yet accli-
matized. were all In bed, except a small
group In the smoking room. Wearing
my stewards coat | went noiselessly
to the door of my enemy's room. IL
was not closed, being fastened by the
interior hook that permits about two
inches of space for the purpose of ad-
hitting air. listened stealthily
outside. There was no sound from
within-not even the sound of breath
ing. Very cautiously thrust my hand
within the aperture and pulled out the
hook. The door swung open with the
lurch of the ship. A light was burn
! ing inside. Still there was no sound.
looked in; the cabin was empty!
Yet. only 20 minutes before had
seen him, dressed in his pajamas and
dressing gown, returning TO his room
from the bath. Had he dressed and
gone up to the smoking room? There
seemed no other solution of the mys-
terry. But | had no time for specula-
ton. In an instant | had securely
locked the door from within and was
down upon my knees, delving into his
cabin trunk, his grips, pulling apart
the bedclothes, rummaging under the
mattress, beneath the carpet, every
where that | thought the ingenuity of
man could have devised as a hiding
place for the treaty which meant so
much to both of us. | searched the
pockets of his clothes. the lining of
his shoes-I even tore apart the
stitches of his garments in my futile
efforts. And when, Is minutes later
arose, bitterly disappointed, | had
at least the consolation of knowing
that the treaty could not be in his
cabin. The only solution then must
be that it was about his person. He
must carry 1t upon his body, day and
night.
My first plan then was to lie In wait
for him upon his return. But what II
he should discover me? There was nc
place within the cabin to hide, except
under the bed, and that afforded only
the most cramped quarters. Besides
should he stoop to his trunk, he mus
discover me. And them could nevel
rearrange his clothes. | must escape
I at once, and leave him to think that
thief had been in his cabin. Would
\ he suspect my presence? Somehow
r must waylaw him and get what
. sought-perhaps next night in tn,
p dark of the deck. | opened the doc
. and hurried down the corridor towar,
. my room. AS | went | noticed tina
o the air had grown uncommonly cold
q as though icebergs were In the yicir
r ity, which, at that period of the earl
n summer, was a thing to be prepare
n for. The ship was plunging along VI
q der an increasing gale turned tn
II corner, saw my room before me, ant
8 just as | was about to enter, the doc
i opened, and out stepped Stapfhaus!
ia He smiled at me in an evil wa
q when he saw me. My hand went t
W my pocket, but the German was tn
D. speedier. In an instant | was lookin
e. into the muzzle Of an automatic pisto
Ie My hands dropped to my sides. Whe
r one is helpless and at the mercy
: another, there is nothing to be game
n. by a show OF bravado. And Stapfhar
u. was not reputed to be slow with b
u weapon.
IT He motioned me into my cabin, an
went in first, Stapfhaus following
ID the mirror in front of me | could 81
m that his aim never wavered. To n
to establishment the place had been ra
Is bdCheu sven de hdu IdubdCheu III
,? Stapfhaus motioned me to be seats
ut upon the bed. He himself took Il
" chair.
Where have you been. Adams
at he asked. grimly. could see that n
in life hung upon only the f1imsie
eff thread. I answered promptly.
ry "Ransacking your room, Stapfhaus
a He started "Ransacking my room
,e- he cried. What the devil for?-
Is What for?& reiterated, bitterl
lc- felt bitter toward him. Even If
err spared my life. at least | knew tn
gh my career was over. | could new
In face my sovereign again And he
as he was mocktrg me.
nd II ransacked your room," | reptile
on ito find the treaty. Why do you 81
re- pose | came2" | saw him start T
1t pistol quivered in his hand. do y
to think | followed you for a jest or
is play puss-in-the-corner?"
Ter do not know what he would ha
an done. He seemed to take delibera
of aim at me. Then | heard wild. d
perate cries from the deck above
en- blast of icy air seemed to strike me
lie. and suddenly there came a trem,
of dous shock which flung us from c
lat seats with terrific violence. | hea
nd the pistol explode as 1t left Stapfha
EN- fingers. Then, stunned and dazed,