Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1913-10-03

MUCH dllcHllou, anu, IhOu6h Souiu
not explain why, l dreaded lest 1t
meant something malevolent
While l was thinking about 1t l saw
the tent flap showed noisily aside and
In the lighter aperture crouching
figure. Being curious to know what
would happen, breathed like sleep
er. A hand was thrust into the tent,
which grasped my clothing, including
boots and hat, and took them away.
What did 1t mean? Something must
be wrong l had been watched. Now
some one had removed my clothing,
doubtless for purpose. Why could
not divine. l lay perfectly still and
presently saw the tent flaps parted
again and heard some one replace my
belongings. was curious to know II
they showed any signs of what had
been done with them. but thought 1t
better to wait till morning l did not
care to have 1t appear that l was
awake and cognizant of the incident.
When day came l looked through
my clothes, but nothing was missing
Nothing had been added. They were
Just as when l had taken them off the
night before was more puzzled than
ever,
During this day could not detect
that ! was watched as the day be-
fore was not treated with more
cordiality, but more indifference. Ell
ther there was change of feeling to.
ward me or no time to attend to me
But | had met with n surprise during
the night, not to say shock, that |
did not recover from. passed the
day in fear lest something should hap
pen to me. l had come to see men in.
jure each other and now dreaded lest
they injure me. And the worst Of 1t
was that such injury was being
wrought out in secret
My fears were somewhat allayed
during the day by the officer who was
responsible for me giving me an In
vitation from his general to dine with
him in the evening with party of
friends from Berlin. 1 replied that
had no evening dress with me- but
was informed that under the circum-
stances this would be excusable The
dinner took place In the open air by
the light of Chinese lanterns. The
guests consisted of both men and
women. l had drunk enough wine to
make me feel comfortable and Danish
my fears when lady sitting next to
me, screened by the table, put crum-
pied piece Of paper in my hand.
dared not look at 1t, 30 / put It in
my pocket till the dinner was ended.
On parting with the other guests
did not bid them goodby, for they were
not to return to Berlin till tho next
afternoon. AS soon as l was alone
examined the paper. II read:
We are both in danger. both being in
the same service l shall not be permitted
to depart. and tomorrow the information
OF the German forces l give below will be
found on me. | can destroy the papers. but
prefer to turn them over to you hoping
that you may succeed in getting away
with them or transferring them to an
other.
Here at last was an explanation OF
my singular treatment, an explanation
that filed me with apprehension. And
when thought that might be arrest
ed with this paper on me | felt the
marrow In my bones CONCEAL How
should get rid of It? II tore 1t into
bits and threw them away they might
be collected and put together. The
only safe way was to burn them-that
IL, II | could do so without being seen
| finally hit on an expedient had
pipe with me and while putting tobac
co in It for a smoke contrived to put
the paper in also. Then, lighting the
contents, | smoked vigorously. The
paper stopped the draft, and l was
obliged to relight several times. Final
ly there was nothing left Of the paper
but ashes.
After the departure Of the guests
from Berlin the general sent for mo
and received me with a manner en-
tlrely changed.
II have TO offer you an apology" he
snId, "for suspicion that has attach
ed to you since you came into our
camp. We had information that n spy
answering your description was seek
Ing admission to our camps. That IL
the reason you were sent to me instead
Of being expelled from our lines We
have been watching you while giving
you every facility to gather informa-
ton which we did not intend you
should take away. The lady who gave
you a slip Of paper last evening did 80
Mt my request since we desired evil
dence against you.
However the traps we have laid
for you came to a halt this morning
by the arrest Of the spy we were after.
He might have been your twin broth
err, he is so like you. Permit me TO
congratulate you on very narrow es-
cape"
THANK you"
"Ie is to be shot this afternoon.
Would you like to see the execution
declined the honor and asked the
generals permission TO depart at once.
On getting out Of the German lines /
made n bee line for home. had seen
very little OF war, and what Ind seen
concerned myself and not others II
IL n far different matter seeing others
killed from being killed oneself When
I reached home was asked repeat
IDLY:
"Iow does It seem to see a man
killed."
~ don't know" replied. "and
don't wish 10 know I narrowly es-
cnped death. and that not In the excite
mont ~ battle. hut standing before q
Gle Of rInemen or by rope"