The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1918-07-19


 ming up against some other new ideas. talked the matter over with one of my trusted agents, Israel Woolf.
 'To carry through a really success full stunt" said Woolf, draining the last drops of his cocktail and looking at me with fishy eyes (for in spite of [ his cleverness the man was a heavy drinker) I've must go right to the top. hape absolutely certain information that the design we wish is in the of flee of a well-known naval architect in Broad street. The desperate game | is often the safest. Let us tackle the job at the fountain=head, get into that office, and secure the original manu- scripts and designs"
 But the risk of discovery is great tremendous. If we failed it might mean war between Germany and America Is there no chance of a copy being secured?"
 "None whatever. This secret is be- ing guarded so carefully that no cop ies are being taken until everything is ready. Besides we need not worry about war; Berlin will know how to wash its hands of us."
 There was truth in what the man said, and his arguments impressed me favorably.
 And how do you propose to secure the papers?" I asked, after pause of a few minutes.
 | Woolf leaned forward and whisper ed one word in my ear: Impersona- tion"
 I started back amazed,
 But that is impossible! The idea Is fantastic-absurd!"
 The fellow laughed lightly.
 Not so fantastic as you think: Come with me! I will show you that 1 it is quite feasible"
 We boarded street-car, and in a few minutes I found myseelf standing on the ground-floor of one of New York's biggest sky-scrapers.
 The Fight in the Office.
 Stand here for a few minutes" said Woolf land look in that mirror. /" He pointed in the direction of a mirrored doorway.
 I lighted a cigarette and waited, wondering what was coming next. I had not long to wait. Walking to- wards me from behind, a tall, lean fellow came forward so like myself that I started with surprise, believ- ing that I was the victim of some op- tical illusion or that the mirror. was a magic one.
 But the figure so like my own walked past me, flung open the door of an office, and disappeared. It was all too real to be an illusion. I turn ed questioningly to Woolf
 "Yes. that was real man." he said, answering the look in my eyes,
 Who was he?" I demanded, recov- ering somewhat from my amazement. There was a pause of a minute or two, and then, very quietly, the words came:-
 Nathan S. Podmore, the Naval ar chitect, whose design of the longrange gun we must secure!"
 For a minute or two I did not speak. Then, slowly, Israel Woolfs
 plan dawned upon me. It was cer- tainly a desperate one. And few 1 hours later the whole thing was ar | ranged in detail.
 You wish me to impersonate Ma
 than Podmore-but how are we to get | I1ln1 out Ol InS way lOT d l long period ?' I asked. Nothing simpler replied Woolf T have discovered that his fiancee 2 is on a visit to Boston-a bogus wire
 will take him there; and, before he can get back, the trick will be done 3 But his private secretary V would never be deceived by this i'm V personation, even though I appeared Q to be Podmore's twin-brother = You are mistaken. That is jus
 where fortune favors us. His secre e tary is on holiday at present, and hi n place has been taken by a temporar! S clerk who is not so intimate" }. The situation certainly looked prom t ising, and I decided to go on with thu |, venture.
 e Later woolf procured an exact re y plica of Podmore's sartorial outfit
 Even a peculiar ring he wore on hi l. left hand was duplicated. l. Perfect" he exclaimed, as he look n ed at me Not even his mother would r see any difference now" g It was arranged that l should g e back to the office in the dusk of even
 ing. when the temporary confidentia l. clerk was alone, walk in, lift the key J. from the desk and proceed to the saf' l. without saying anything; as undoub' g edly my voice would betray me if
 made any remark.
 d As I ascended the officestairs m S. knees trembled with excitement, bu t. bracing myself firmly, and remember n, ing how much depended on my gr 1t and nerve power, I walked boldly il of In perfect boldness, l realized, la l. my safety. Any hesitation or nervous
 ness would at once betray me. IS At the far end of the room cou1 le see the clerk engrossed in some tasl e. and he glanced up as l entered witt ,n out giving a second look, evidentl re not detecting anything unusual. a. few minutes later had the sal ry open, and was just on the point of e1
 amining one of the papers when re slight noise attracted my attention. ly Turning round, 1 saw figure stant