The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1918-06-29

tention to such an extent that he
could find no one to send here, but
now that have arrived" he smiled
an ingratiating smile, and the frown
on the face Of the baroness faded
a little, II am ready for anything
your Highnessl may suggest"
ut is we'll" she answered briefly,
1--WE will lose no more time"
Won Lertz and Madame Stephan Join
the Conspirators.
During the week the ring Of con-
spirators was completed by the ar
rival of Madame Stephan and Won
Lertz in Richmond, upon orders re-
ceived from Won Papen that they De
at hand and ready to assist in opera
tions in case they were needed IN
bringing the plot for the destruction
Of Hopewell to a successful climax.
Dixie Mason, returning TO her
apartments after the strenuous days
Of activity in Exeter was apprised
of their presence in Richmond by the
discovery Of a note from Won Lert2.
Dear Miss Mason the note ran
in Won Lertz's angular hand, I nope
this finds you at home ana rested
after your southern trip. The MAD
anne and 1 are now in Richmond, va,
where I would like to have you join
us as soon as possible. 1t may be
that your eager wish to help u.s.
expressed when last saw you, can
be granted here.
Won Lertz."
Lovely" commented Dixie with a
smile. Dear Won LertZ, you have
given me an unexpected pleasure"
She addressed the far distant agent
of Germany with an irony althogeth-
lost. Then she bounced up with an
activity purely characteristic. MANI
cite, help me pack again. I'm on my
way TO Richmond"
Mamette appeared in the doorway,
an expression Of genuine anxiety on
her dusky countenance. my! Miss
Dixie! Amt you ever going to stay
home and restT'
Dixie laughed mo rest for me,
with these German agents running
loose through the country. Be sure
and put my panelphone in the bag.
Mamette's eyes rolled till the whites
Of them cleaned. you mean that
new thing you kin hear through the
wall within"
That's what I mean, but hardly
through the wall, Mamette, just
through d OOUI VI any 1l5iL SOhAAOAAA9
surface. It's simply a super devel-
oped telephone without wires that the
chief invented" but seeing that this
was somewhat over
Mamette's head, Dixie stopped
abruptly. Hurry, Mamette, please, II
I can catch this train today I'll be
in Richmond tomorrow morning"
The baroness and Dollings had
worked out the plan carefully for the
destruction of the guncotton factory.
Their preparations had of necessity
been somewhat hasty but they were
characterized by a finality and close
to detail that was >typically
German.
"I've been careful" the baroness
told Dollings," to gain my information
only in snatches and bits from mu-
milton workers who have come here
to have their fortunes told. The fools
do not realize that they tell me more
than tell them and none have sus-
pected that they are being question
ed. I have learned that the plant Is
least guarded between midnight and
2 o'clock in the morning. That will
be the best time, then, for you to
point near the guncotton plant and
leave you there. Then I will pro-
coed at once to Richmond to join Won
Lertz and Madame Stephan. Report
to me there at the hotel" With a
caution gained by long experience in
plotting they covered each detail and
arranged for any possible and unfore-
seen happenings to their own salts
faction.
Early one morning before the dark
ness and chill Of night had lifted they
climbed into an automobile and drove
to the point agreed upon: There Dol
lings left the baroness and she drove
off through the black Of the night
to report to Won Lertz in Richmond.
The Attempt to Destroy the NUM-
lions Plant.
The yards Of the guncotton plant
were surrounded by an underbrush
which in the quietness of the night
made a silent approach somewhat diff
ficult. Dollings, however, crept for
ward as noiselessly as was within his
power. A heavy decorating bomb
concealed in his coat, made progress
somewhat perilous. He had almost
reached the fence. Suddenly his coat
caught on an entangling thorn bush.
AS his next movement loosened 1t