The central record. (Lancaster, Ky.) 18??-current, 1916-02-03
How She
Was Bribed
BY PAUL WHITCOMB

ment of Mexico IL became necessary
for the United States government to
send to the American representative
there n document OF great Importance.
There were Mexican spies In those
days who were attempting TO thwart
the efforts of the Washington govern.
ment and who worked very adroitly
They had their confederates in the de.
partments who posted them as to what
was taking place.
Paul Willard. n clerk in the state de-
partment. was intrusted with the docu.
ment and warned to guard II carefully
lest he be dispossessed of II. lie was
young man recently married and,
taking his dispatch home, told his wife
Of his mission and asked her to pack
suit case, the only baggage he in.
tended TO take with him.
Now. the Mexican secret service men
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 pretensc of making n 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 It, and she took it into
another room for the purpose. bringing
It back reinclosed.
Willard next morning babe his wife
goodby and started on his journey. AS
.may he 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 a 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 he 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 Il 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
train for Mexico City. Being now in
the enemy's country, he felt that he
was in more danger. And he was. The
Mexicans were doing pretty much as
they pleased, and so long as lIuerta'S
men knew that Paul carried an impor-
tant document from the United States
government IL was a foregone cunclu.
sion that he would be robbed of it.
True enough. at the first station a.
which the train stopped several men
entered the car where Paul sat and
passed through ii, evidently looking for
some one. ON reaching him they took
him 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. Milard
and himself. Surely the department
must be full OF spies.
ON reaching Mexico City he deter
mined 10 20 to the United States EN-
bassy and report his loss. lie was
looking for cab when yelled lady
sitting in one beckOned to him To get
In. At first he refused; then, remem
bering that, having lost his dispatch.
further precaution was unnecessary
and not seeing another cab at his dis
posal, he consented
where do you wish to go?" asked
the lady in English, but with II 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 ladr
leaned back on the cushion and made
no further remark When they pulled
up ut the embassy he handed her or
and followed her into the house. The
lady said something TO an attendau.
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. Nil
ard
Its safe. Paul" she said. noiding
1t the paper IN the ambassador
hands. Il took II when you gave II t. !
me 10 inclose in another envelope The |
one | returned 10 you and that the Mey |
leans took was Il dummy"
Then she told him how the enemi
had tried TO bride her