The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1918-06-30

as spy in England.
Miss Clifford has many friends close to the
War Office in London who have cause to remem-
Der her voluntary efforts in the cause of the
allies. To some of these she communicated her
discovery that "Mme. Hesqueth" was in the
United States.
Soon after the Department Of Justice agents
had learned that Nine Storch, as the Baroness
de Beville, had been at the Hotel Shoreham, in
Washington, but yad left without leaving clue
to her destination, they picked up the trail again
in New York. They traced her to the Waldorf
Astoria, where they found she had allowed her
self frankly to be known by her correct name
Nine. Storch. There they lost her again, for
a time
When she was again located she occupied a
splendid suite at the Biltmore, which by that
time had become popular headquarters for the
thousands of army and navy officers eontinu-
ally passing through New York from their bu-
reaus or mobilization camps to join the expedi-
tionary forces. Here she was known as Mme
Nezie.
Soon the Federal agents began to admit that
they were puzzled. They learned that the young
woman, whom they knew to be one of Germany's
most trusted spies, was received in many FASH
ionable homes, where there could be no question
of the loyalty of her hosts and hostesses. They
reported, too, that among her most intimate
friends were persons connected with official life
at the nations capital. They were almost dis
couraged when their clues led them to the apart
ment of the Count Robert de Cleremont, in West
Fifty-eighth street, New York, where, they
found, the beautiful Nezie was frequent visitor
often quite unehaperoned.
The Count de Cleremont was one of the most
popular young French notables familiar In the
foreign circles built up in New York since the
great city has become the Mecca of the many
military and diplomatic missions from the allied
countries. He was prominent in many war char
tiles, and was much sought after by the patron
esses of patriotic baZaars and other entertain
ments given to swell the funds of the many treas
uries devoted to the comfort and Inspiration Of
the soldiers of all the allied nations.
Whoever was questioned about the sincerity
of the Count de Cleremont's patriotism, and his
standing, vouched for him without reserve It
could not be possible, the Federal investigators
concluded, to distrust him. Nor did it seem
possible that he would receive closely into his
friendship, as the frequent visits of Nine. Nezie
seemed to imply, a person whose sympathies
were suspicious.
The Count de Beville, who was one of Nine.
Nezie's most frequent visitors at her hotel and
who quite apparently, possessed her warm favor
also seemed above reproaeh. 1t was very easy
to establish the fact that his family was of high
standing in France, and his aged father and
mother, then living in New York, had long mer-
tied the highest regard of their countrymen.
At the French Embassy at Washington the
Count de Beville was a. frequent visitor. He
numbered among his intimates Spanish French
and Russian diplomats of great Importance. His
social connections were of the very best, and he
gave his time and service as well as his pocket
book literally to any number of war charities.
ee,,lS
man of Liberty bonds and a persevering worker
in the interest of Red Cross affairs.
But the agents of the Department of Justice
do not always accept appearances for what they
seem. There was every reason to believe, for
time, that the young woman they were watching
was in some way the victim of mistaken identity
or something of that nature. 1t did not seem
that she could be a spy and be so well thought
of by the friends she had Nnade-by the two
counts, for instance. They did not give up,
though The first reward of their perseverance
was the discovery of Nine. Nix.
Nine Nix also was a frequent visitor at the
apartments of the Count de CleremOnt. She
was followed when the Federal agents began to
investigate the acquaintance of Nine. Storchs
intimates, and it was found she lived in eonsid-
cradle state at the fashionable Netherlands
Hotel. Close surveillance revealed large remit
tances of money coming regularly to/hlme. Nix.
1t was not difficult to learn that Nine. Storeh
paid her hotel bills and indulged in periodical
extravagances, such as the purchase of many new
gowns, costly hats and silk stockings of the $40
per pair variety in dozen pair lots, almost imme-
diately after the receipt of her remittances by
Nine. Nix
After a while it was learned that Nine. Min
had mysterious neutrality-suspicious. SYM
pathizers; that she had come to this country
with none other than the Count de CleremOnt;
that she had been in the background wherever
Nine. Storch had appeared in Europe, and,
finally that she had been frequent caller upon