Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1914-03-19
The Stolen
Submarine
copyright. 1918. by w. G. Chapman
An Audacous Hazard of Nkolai Independent Agent az
Related by His Lieutenant, Summers
BY H. M EGBERT

three-day intervals to replenish her
fuel. The crew consisted of picked
men. veterans of the service, who
were commanded by the same officer
on each occasion. So much we learn
ed-or rather, Nikolai learned-dur-
ing these nightly visits of ours. Nj
kolai spoke German as his mother
tongue, and even naval officers grow
garrulous after the fourth bottle.
But as to the mechanism of the
Hertha, or it's objects in the Pc
riodical Journeys, nobody could say.
Our investigation must be made per.
sonally.
1t was on Thursday, June 20. that
we laid our final plans. The Hertha
had docked; Judging by precedent she
would set forth upon the following
evening. The approach to the slip
was guarded by couple OF marines,
who were relieved periodically; but
we had discovered where Lieut.. Won
Beeman lived, and believed it would
be easy to gain admittance. We
were to wait in the proximity OF his
house until he left on the following
evening to take up his command. We
would follow close upon his heels and
pass in a short distance behind him;
under the circumstances 1t would be
improbable that the marines would
question US. But to ensure against
any unexpected circumstances, Niko
lai had forged paper from the min
istry of marine, detailing him. with his
orderly-myself-to accompany Won
Beeman upon his next journey.
confess l was trembling when,
on the ensuing evening, we put this
scheme into execution. 1t must have
been in the evening, just when the
long twilight was yielding to night,
before We perceived the lieutenant
leave his quarters and stride sharply
down the street. We followed him,
gradually edging up closer. At
short distance from the entrance to
the slip he swung round on his heel.
Halt" he cried sharply, seeing
What the devil are you men
doing here? What ship are you
from?"
But that it was nearly dark could
have sworn Nikolai grew purple in
the face from feigned wrath.
Attention, sir" he bawled. II am
Captain Won Obermeister of the min
istry OF marine" / saw the lieutenant
bring his heels together with click:
he stood stiff as a ramrod and his
hand went up to the salute mechan-
ically. Nikolai sputtered and storm
ed inarticulately for a few mo-
ments.
Schmidt" he cried to me at
length, withdraw seventeen PAGES in
accordance with the regulations"
understood only the motion Of the
hand. But Nikolai explained to me
subsequently that this was the form.
ula prescribed in the case of an officer
intending to admonish a subordinate.
According to the rules Of the service,
no officer might rebuke another In
the presence of an enlisted man.
Hardly had withdrawn when I
saw Nikolai leap toward the lieuten.
ant and metaphorically rend him. His
voice, continuous low basso was
hardly punctuated by the lieutenant's
high-pitched apologies. Won Bee
man was limp and actually trembling
when Nikolai, having concluded his
lecture, recalled me. MY orderly,
Schmidt, accompanies me" snarled
Nicolai. you have read the order?
Forward! March,"
And we passed into the slip where
a long, low, oval craft was moored
with ropes against a sloping dock. AS
we approached, a half dozen sailors
rose and stood at attention.
"Will you step aboard, sir?' ask
ed the lieutenant with Difference. Nj
kolai accepted the invitation; ! fol-
lowed him. then came the lieutenant,
the sailors trooping in behind him;
and soon we were all ensconced In
the hollow of the ship. A few mo-
ments afterward the rope was cast
off and we glided down the sloping
dock into the water. Soon we were
sklmming the surface of the canal.
Presently the waves began to rise; the
lights ashore receded; keen wind
nipped our faces. l knew that we
had passed into the North sea. The
deck was closed and we plunged into
the depths, our periscope alone visi.
BILE above the waters.
The lieutenant himself stood at the
steering gear, Nikolai beside him.
Their gaze was bent intently upon
sort of camera obscura, very much re.
sembling the ground glass of pho
tographic box, upon which were re-
flected the starry heavens, changing
only as the ship altered her course.
Three Sathoms beneath the surface
we could discern everything above US
by the medium of this eye, which con.
nected with long, hollow tube, the
top Of which was fitted with a series
of lenses and rose some feet above
the water. Hence the presence of any
vessel would be as discernible as
though we were In an open boat.
We three were gathered together at
the end Of the hold. Packed closely
around us was machinery of compl.
Gated and, to me, unknown type,
though | recognized barometer,
huge compressed air tank, gaso.
line tank with series of pipes and
valves, and the inevitable motor Upon
the side Of the ship, close by. hung Q