The Wahpeton times. [volume] (Wahpeton, Richland County, Dakota [N.D.]) 1879-1919, 1915-12-02
By PAUL wHlTcoMB


at Washington, knowing that Paul
Willard was a clerk in the Office of the
secretary of state and had access to
secrets, had tempted his wife with
jewels to get information through her.
She had not yielded, but, being shrewd,
had pretended to be half inclined to
consent. She said nothing to Paul
about having been sounded, but when
he told her of his mission she went
out on pretense of making purchase
and told the person who had tried to
buy her that her husband would start
the next morning for Mexico with an
important dispatch.
Before going to bed that night she
asked to see the document, which was
contained in an official envelope and
sealed with the seal of the United
States She told him that it would be
wiser to put it into plain envelope
addressed to an assumed name He
asked her to do 1t, and she took it into
another room for the purpose, bringing
1t back reinclOsed.
Willard next morning babe his wife
goodby and started on his Journey. As
may be expected, he was watched by
the Mexican secret service employees,
who were intent on waylaying him,
but he took precautions always to be
where there were others about him,
and they found no opportunity. A very
pretty woman was sent on the trip,
which was made by sea, to fascinate
him. but Paul, besides being faithful
husband, was no fool, and he refused
to be duped by her.
During the voyage his stateroom was
entered and his suit case examined.
But he had taken the dispatch and
placed it in the breast pocket of his
coat, where lie could constantly feel its
bulk. Then the conspirators, feeling
sure that he carried it on his person.
made efforts to get him by himself SO
that they might get it into their posses
sion. On one occasion a man spoke en-
Enthusiastically of phosphorescent lights
at the stern Of the vessel, suggesting
that he go with him to see. No one was
there. and Willard declined to go. This
attempt put him on his guard, and for
the rest Of the voyage he. took care
never to be caught alone.
! On arriving at Vera Cruz he took a
| train for Mexico City. Being now in
the enemy's country, he felt that he
was in more danger. And he was The
Mexicans We're doing pretty much as
they pleased, and 50 long as Huerta' s
men knew that Paul carried an ilnpor-
tant document from the United States
government it was foregone conclu-
sion that he would be robbed of it.
True enough, at the first station at
which the train stopped several men
entered the car where Paul sat and
passed through it, evidently looking for
some one. On reaching him they took
MIN into the baggage car and had no
trouble in finding the package in his
pocket. Then they permitted him to re-
turn to his seat in the car he had left.
Paul was naturally very much cast
down. He regretted that he had at
tempted to carry the document through
without protection. What puzzled him
was that any one could have got wind
OF his going. No one knew the secret
except an assistant secretary who had
given him the dispatch, Mrs. Willard
and himself. Surely the department
must be full of spies.
On reaching Mexico City he deter
mined to go to the United States en-
bassy and report his loss. He was
looking for a cab when a yelled ladv
sitting in one beckoned to him to get
In. At first he refused; then, remem-
bering that. having lost his dispatch,
1urther precaution was unnecessary
ana not seeing another cab at his dis
posal. he consented.
where do you wish to go?" asked
the lady in English. but with a Span
ish accent.
First let the driver take you to your
destination, replied Paul.
Il am going to the United States
embassy
Paul looked surprised and gave the
order to drive to the embassy. The lady
leaned back on the cushion and made
no further remark. When they pulled
up at the embassy he handed her out
and followed her into the house. The
lady said something to an attendant
that Paul did not hear, and she was
Immediately admitted to the private
Office Of the ambassador. A few min
utes later Paul was called in. The
ambassador was perusing document,
while seated near him was Mrs. Mil
lard.
Its safe. Paul." she said nodding
at the paper in the ambassadors
hands. II took it when you gave it to
me to inclose in another envelope. The
one returned to you and that the Mex
Jeans took was dummy"
Then she told him how the enemy
had tried to bride her.