Montpelier examiner. [volume] (Montpelier, Idaho) 1895-1937, 1914-01-30

m6SlluBh AESt Oh COURSE AdE6SAy pat
ronized by gentlemen who dabble in
what Nikolai called high finance"
The police had gathered in score
and more of the fraternity and sent
them out OF the country; but those
were the bunglers at their trade. We
passed as wealthy Americana, and
hoped to reap harvest
But my companions thoughts few
high above the common swindling.
knew that when he announced his
coup, 1t would be something worthy
of his fantastic mind On the third
evening, while we sat together upon
the esplanade, watching the yachts
swing past, flags Of all nations filtter-
ing at the mast heads, Nikolai brbach-
ed his plan.
These Germans are giving England
q hard fight for the supremacy Of the
ocean," he said, as the kaiser's yacht,
having defeated her English antagon-
list, passed to the salutation of ten
thousand threats. "And they're not
80 far behind in actual war material
either. England would give a fortune
for the plans of the new German sub
marine"
He handed me the Daily Telegraph
of two days previous, which he had
purchased at the Casino. had not
seen paper for the past week. Turn
Ing to the column indicated by my
companion, / discovered that the
German war scare had assumed a new
phase.
Tho coIuvnu .vhfoh 1yoa baadad IN
black type, dealt with the maneuvers
Of mysterious submarine ship, which
had been seen at various points along
the British coast, sometimes as half
submerged body that cut through the
water at an astonishing speed, at
others merely as the periscope,
the eye Of such craft, which alone was
visible above the waves. 1t was
obviously engaged in taking soundings
and spying upon the English naval
defenses.
From these various statements Of
those who have seen this craft, the
newspaper went on to say, ut is evil
dent, in spite of official denials, that it
is none other than the new German
submarine, about which so much Bpec-
ulation is rife. It's ability to Erav-
Ell such a distance from its base
demonstrates the fact clearly, for no
other type of submarine vessel has
more than a very limited sphere of
action. The British government
would, doubtless, pay handsomely for
a plan Of this craft. Meanwhile 1t
is reported that warships are search
ing for it-and, Messieurs, IL you come
within the limits of our territorial
waters. look out for broadside!'
"'The British government would,
doubtless, pay handsomely for plan
OF this craft Nikolai quoted, read
ing over my shoulder. well, why
shouldn't we earn the reward, SUM
mersf"
How could we get the plans?"
asked.
I'VE won't" replied Nikolai What
do you say to taking the craft itself
and steering 1t into Portsmouth har-
Dor? 1t might be piracy on the high
seas, but-would England let 1t 90 be-
fore she had inspected it? And the re-
ward would be big
Of the newer type, Summers" Nikolai
went on hastily, before / could inter
pose any objection. within those
shells one man, and certainly two, can
hold the entire crew at bay. How?
Well, stick of dynamite, retained in
proximity to the steering gear, is a
powerful aid. There are few sailors
who would choose certain death by
suffocation at the bottom of the sea in
preference to life with a modicum of
dishonor Then, again, they keep no
arms except a couple of pistols or
SO. A submarine is not an offensive
craft. One man, in fact, could easily
oyerpower the entire crew.
Now, Summers, once we are
aboard, this shall be your task Mean
while, / shall assume charge of the
steering apparatus and bring the yes.
sci safely into Portsmouth hafbor
There we deliver her to the authori
ties. All are arrested and detained
pending the courts decision. In the
end the vessel is released, we are con
demned to hang for piracy-and some
body opens our cell doors one might
and a grateful government pensions
us. Do you understand"
It's risky" ! suggested.
sBut it's sure" said Nickolai. HAnt
the audacity OF the scheme makes til
fulfil1ment easy"
In fact, the initial steps at any rate
proved no formidable obstacle. w,
knew that the Kiel naval yards mus
be the headquarters of the mysteriou
craft. There was no difficulty In dis
covering the slip at which she berth
ed after each return from the Englisl
coast. The streets were full OF Ger
man sailors; discipline, never so draf
tic in the navy as in the army, was
tribe lax during the regatta week
there was no difficulty in gaining az
mittance to the slip.
= NikoIai, in the uniform of haYa
captain, and I, attired as his orderly
did. in fact. penetrate the dockyar
many times during the ensuing Weel
We soon discovered that the Herthi
as the submarine was called, set fort
twice each week, for her exploration
of the North sea, returning to dock q
three-day intervals to replenish he
fuel. The crew consisted of pleke
men, veterans Of the service, VIII
we're commanded by the same eaiee
on each occasion. So much we Learn