davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1918-06-15
SIakberg
Vnma sked BY
Harrison Grant

crossed his face as he entered the office
of the president. A moment later he
was looking into the inquiring eyes OF
Harrison Grant and the fear had re-
turned to his face to stay. Grants steely
eyes stared into the shifty eyes below
him seeking to evade his look "Do not
trouble to introduce US. Grant said
II think Mr.. Slakberg and | have met
before. In case he does not remember
the occasion ! will seek to call Y to his
memory later. Just now. Slakberg.
would like those plans In the name OF
the Secret Service" Slakberg seemed to
shrivel up before him. An ashy pailor
swept his face He tried to smile jaunttly
but the pitable effort was distorted into
a snarl
The sudden convulsive movement with
which he gripped the plans with the cyl
dent intention of destroying them was
thwarted as Grant caught his wrist in
a paralyzing grip and removed them
Thank you. Mr.; slakberg." he re-
marked calmly. Perhaps you can ex-
plain a few little points about these
plans to Mr. Marquis and myself. As
understand it these plans were drawn
in Paris?'
"Yes-yes Of course" Slakberg re-
turned somewhat weakly.
And naturally they have been in your
possession all the timer"
Certainly"
Then" Harrison Grant raised his
voice little, II must say. Mr.. Slakberg
alias Curly. alias Weasel, that while
you've done a very good little job OF
forgery here, you've forgotten one rather
strong point. VIII you please put or
your hat and coat and come to the
Criminology Club with Mr.. Marquis anc
myself? ] would like you to explain
there just how these particularly Par
isian plans happen to be made on parch
ment bearing Berlin watermark '"
Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1918-06-15
Slakberg's
Confession


ing 10 outwit was being carried to the
fulfllment of his evil intent by the freight
train to which he clung, Harrison Grant
and the president of the munition works
wrung at last from him by a series of
cleverly rendered questions. AS In the past
he had entrapped others, so the spy was
being entrapped. His very simple plan,
worked out so carefully and seemingly
flawless. had returned to trip him up. He
had worked out every detail had forged
perfectly, had overlooked nothing as he
had thought. to be at last betrayed by
the innocent..appearing watermsrk of
the parchment.
He was breaking down under the
strain of the cross-examination. Reluc-
family the details had been wrung from
him.
We wanted munitions. We didn't
care how we got them. If we could
make America our unwilling ally. we
were more than glad to do It, We know
that If we could get these shells to the
the French drive. And we knew that
just as surely as that drive came, it
would fail and our soldiers would rush
through the French lines without danger
from barrage to find the shells waiting
for them--to open the way TO Paris"
He stopped with a gasp.
They waited, but he did not resume
his talk.
'.Is that all?" Grant interrogated.
Slakbergs gaze shifted.
Yes. that is ALL" he lied painfully.
Grant turned to the president OF the
A T. r. Mr. Marquis, is your car
downstairs"
Marquis nodded.
Good. We must get to the factory
at once. The extent OF this plot must
be investigated. The shipment of shells
must be stopped. America shall not be
made party to such a crime as this. -
The freight train was bearing the
electrician to his destination. It had
reached the munition factory. and In
the darkness he dropped from It and
doorway on a table lay pile of electric
light bulbs. He picked up a handful
Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1918-06-15

orders she had received months before
flashed through her throbbing brain:
Work into the trust Of the Germans.
Tell no one.
wv. j. Flynn"
She looked at Grant helpiessly.
why do you accuse me?' she asked.
Grant shrugged his shoulders.
Miss Mason, what else could one do?
We arrived in time to see the explosion.
the workers running out, and"
Dixie leaned forward.
The workers, are they safer" she
asked eagerly.
Most Of them. Some are injured. I
am glad you at least warned them"
Thank you. Now would you mind re-
leasing my hand?'
Grant looked at her in wonder. Would
he ever fathom this mystery girl?
Could 1t be possible that he had made
mistake? But in contravention to this
thought came the memory of her con-
slant association with the Germans most
active in promoting the interests of their
Government; her frequent appearances
with Won Lertz and Madame Stephan.
And what possible motive could have
brought her to this scene and placed
her in such a situation?
Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1918-06-15
Dixie Mason
Warns MunitlOn
Workers


roar of machinery,
"Out! Out! Everybody
The workers ever conscious ,of the
hazards under which they labored and
alert for the slightest token Of danger,
left their work tables and rushed for
other workers. Dixie seeing that her
warning was being obeyed ran back to
the powerhouse: The yard was filled
with hurrying, shrieking. excited women.
The electrician at the sound of shout
ing and confusion had stepped to the
door. AS he saw Dixie rushing toward
him, he knew the success of his plans
was frustrated
the same moment, Dixie, knowing in
tuitively that this was his plan of de-
struction. threw her slight body at him
and clung to him with catlike tenacity.
reaching for the switch. With a curse
his great hand closed around her
throat. Still she struggled but he held
her now at distance and leaned for
ward. She heard the switch jammed
shut with a cracking contact. A second
lated the darkness without was pierced
by wild burst Of flames. and the
earth heaved and rocked with the i'm
pact of an earthquake. But Dixie Mason
heard it only vaguely. She had tainted
and was lying against the switch, one
hand still in unconsciousness clinging
to it as though the. hope, yet lived that
trophe that had fallen.
Through the clouds of dust and smoke.
through the crowds OF injured workers.
through debris piled high from which
little tongues of fame were shooting,
Harrison Grant reached the powerhouse.
When Dixie returned to consciousness
It was to find him bending over her.
For one glad moment she recognized
him
She struggled to rise. "Youi ~ sha
said but Grant voice, cold and un-
friendly. dispelled the hopes that had
risen within her.
"Yes. Miss Mason. I'm afraid you win
have a somewhat difficult time in eX-
planning your presence here beside the
switch that has blown up this factory.
In spite of weakness, Dixie straight
ened up. Her lips parted and she
reached involuntarily toward the pocket
that held her Secret Service commission.
But the impulse was checked, for the
Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1918-06-15
Preparations
For Destroying
Munitions Plant

but at his low whistle a figure emerged
from behind dim hulk of machinery
slakberg bent toward him with a
leer; "How's the safety contrivance
working?" he asked The electrician
laughed
"oh, you. mean the sparks-to blow
Careful" warned slakberg. and
only II necessary. always remember
Certainly. ! know that. only If neces-
sary.' the electrician repeated as though
the words were part of a lesson he had
been compelled to memorize. "As long
as we can keep the plant running along
the lines Il is rIrh, rvphniTs nov everything
quite right, but IL anything happens
any trouble blows up and Won Papen
says the plant must CO. we must be
You can count on me" The electri-
clan held out an instrument resembling
the spark plug Of an automobile. This
wire in the loading room to this switch
If the plant is to be blown up. all that
will be necessary. will be for me to nut
this plug in a light socket, in that room.
then come back here and throw the
thrown streak Of fire will shoot out
from the spark plug. II will ignite
the explosive dust with which the room
is filled The factory will be blown to
pieces"
Slakberg smiled appreciatively. A
moment later he left the power house.
The building in which were. the. offices
stood some distance from the factory.
He followed the graveled pathway to
his office and there. after closing the
door carefully. went TO the safe and
pulled out roll of blue prints. They
We're the specifications for the shells now
being turned out by the factory. To
him .they meant the destruction. per-
of 20
nervously from his revery rs an Office
boy entered.
''Mr. Slakherg, Mr Marquis wants to
see you and says for you to bring the
Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1918-06-15

Dixie clambered up on It. Slipping
bill into the mans hand she waved
good-by. and amid swirl of dust dis
appeared down the road. The throbbng
Of her engine grew steadier with a set
purpose she rushed on in the blackness
to her errand of salvation.
Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1918-06-15
'cYetary of Company Making Shells for the Allies
W. Kniser's Agent and He UnfoLds Shrelvd but
DinboLicaL Scheme to Won Bernstorf and Boy Ed
to Turn French Explosives OUer to Germany
Nveiedb by from facts furnished
BY
Novelized by COURTNEY

To j. s. Slakbers," Grant read.
Five thousand dollars"
There's your Slakberg again" OBJ
served Cavanaugh
Yes. said Grant slowly studying
the Endorsement Of the check Now
I've got him. or at least his writing
He's the same merry little forger we
trailed all the way from Chicago to
Berlin on the Weymouth case--and then
they refused extradition. Call a taxi.
I'm going TO the a. T. r. plant"
Work at the 4; T; II. munition plant
was booming. Slakberg had cause FOL
satisfaction as he stood in the doorway
of one of the shell-loading rooms watch
ing the trucks loaded with shells rum
bling past. And the room was filled with
the rumble and roar of activity as men
and women worked at high speed pitt
ably ignorant that they we're laboring in
reality. not for France but for scheming,
conniving. trsacherous Germany
As rack of shells clattered past him,
Slakbergs thin lips curled back in a
smile Of satisfaction. Poor fools" ne
muttered, they think they are working
for France" He rubbed mis- hands and
turned away But for Germany-and
they don't know it."
Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1918-06-15
Dixie Ia
Arrested

powerhouse a moment before the ex-
plosion came. I must put You under ar
rest The evidence is absolute and / can
do nothing else"
Dixie opened her lips, but the words
were not spoken.
The sharp report of gunshot put an
end to their conversation The sound of
low cry drifted in-then silence.
Grant stepped to the door and then
hesitated.
I'm very sorry, Miss Mason" he said
reaching in his pocket, but am afraid
this is necessary" Something glittered
in his hands and Dixie heard the metallic
clink Of handouts. II must see what is
wrong outside-and I must be assured
that you will remain here until l re-
turn"
Dixie held out her hands In silence
He snapped one manacle about her
wrist. strange sort of wonder pos
sessed him that he should be thus
shackiing the hands Of the girl who had
so fascinated him in the past. She stood
quietly while he attached the other cuff
to the swinging door of the switchboard
railing and then hurried outside
Two hundred yards away stood a
watchman and at his feet lay the body
of a man.
As Grant reached his side the watch
man reported briefly
= saw TINS fellow Sneaking around,
When ! called to him to halt he started
to run, so l shot
Grant searched the body hastily with
the help of his pocket flash and brought
out the card of a German reservist.
1t was enough. Imperial Germany had
scored again and in the usual manner,
with death to innocent beings and ap-
palling destruction of property.
He turned again to the powerhouse
where he had left his fair prisoner but
on the threshold he stopped in astonish-
ment.
The power house was empty! One
handcuf hung on the gate of the switch.
board. rubber glove lay on the floor.
The other handcuff of the pair was gone
and with it Dixie Mason!
Nert Saturdays episode-No. 10
The attempted fpudsion Of Canada.
through rhich Ton Pdpen hoped to
bring about the infuD of thousands
OF German reserUiSts into Canada
from the United States, pirtuully
making acdr on Canada from this
country.
Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1918-06-15

tVXlIIE conference over the blueprints ir
AZ ~ Ambassador Won Bernstorff's rooms
~ Warrington was followed by months
I ~ sseming inaction on the part of Ger
siHnny's paid agents. While war held
Y NJ drsadful sway over Europe and
4tusi<s battled. some for right and In
&Nt1onse Of broken kingdom, the others
m oerritory and conquest at the behest
u war-mad ruler. the manufacturers
q munitions for the warring nations
nnG Especially the Allied armies. re-
colved an impetus which started them
humfling with feverish activity.
During this time the A. T. r. NUM-
fions plant was erected near New York.
Machinery of the latest type was in
SAILED and experienced and competent
labor Employed. In the offices OF the
company, of which l.. F. Marquis was
peesident, long conferences were held
With representatives OF the French Gov
eminent over plans received from Paris
calling for French }5s" and "l55s' in
unstinted numbers. French gold went
INTO the safes of the company and
vronch names were signed to the mort
Rnees and various documents necessary
(o the fulf1llment of contracts involving
millions Of dollars. and. indirectly, MIL
Iions OF lives. That imperial Germany
was linked with this industry in any
way would have been unbelievable; that
the A. T. r. Munitions Company could
~ lending aid to Germany while manu-
featuring arms for the French army
was inccnceiyaele to any but those rss e,as,, ac-
TO which 1t was possible for imperial
Germany to descend.
Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1918-06-15

w hile Dixie
Mason sped over
the dark and tor.
tuouS passes of
the road to town /;
while the electri-
clan she was seek
Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1918-06-15
Dixie Mason Gets
Reports from
Won IertL

- ---------------- still ignorant that
she was Of the Secret Service, and as
signed to the work of gaining all in
formation possible by means of her
feminine wiles. Won Lertz, with char
aCteristc egotism, failed to realize that
he was but tool in her hands. The
afternoon following the conference in
Won Papen's office. he called upon her.
Dixie wnsomely made him welcome.
Mamette. with white teeth shining out
of the dusky blackness OF her face. re-
lieved him of his overcoat. And in his
Joy at being in Miss Mason's presence
once more, Won Lertz carelessly neglect
ed to remove from his overcoat pocket
a report he had brought for Doctor AL
bert. over his shoulder Dixie nodded
meaningly to Mamette. the faithful. The
negro maid, coached by Dixie. had be
come almost indispensable in the carry
ing out of Dixies schemes to successful
Climaxes. Won Lertz's coat, taken care
fully into an alcove off the hall was
hung up carefully-after Mamette had
removed the report from the pocket. And
the report was carefully replaced in the
pocket after Mamette in painful scrawls
had copied its message.
As soon as the door had closed behind
Won Lertz. Dixie hurriedly scanned the
copy which Mamette proudly handed her
Its notation read:
Report for Doctor Albert.
Everything is working out TO our
satisfaction at the A. T. r. munitions
factory. J. s. S.
"Oh. Mamette." Dixie called after
studying the report for a moment or two
Get me out some clothes to wear. I'm
going tosthe A. 7. r. munition factory
to look for employment Hurry"
German efficiency had tripped itself
again. 1t had not been enough for DR..
Heinrich Albert to receive in person the
report of j. 5. Slakberg in the offices or
Captain Won Papen. 1t had not been
enough that months before he mad lost
q portfolio containing hundreds of just
such papers as this-a portfolio which
had allowed the secret service to block
the schemes of Imperial Germany in a
dozen different directions throughout the
United States. To the spies of Imperial
Germany the Americans were only
"Idiotic Yankees" not capable of under
standing or fathoming the Vaccinations
of Germany, and so the reports con-
tinued to be in writing with the result
that now Dixie Mason was Fronting oy
one and was preparing to start Tor the
A. r. r. munitions works in search OF
employment-and incidentally all the IN
formation she could possibly pick up.
The calm of the recent months mad
not deceived the secret service. TO them
il was but the treacherous calm OF a sea
after a storm-smooth and disarming
on its surface, but underneath the Dull
ing of the undertow.
THE second sequel of Slakbergs visit
TO the office of Won Papen was the re-
suit of a similar slip by Imperial Ger
many Its opening scene was laid In the
office of the Criminology club day OF
so after Slakberg's visit.
Grant was hastily running over the
afternoon paper Near him lounged
Stewart and Cavanaugh.
"Anything doing?" asked Stewart.
lazily nipping the end from cigar and
preparing to light 1t. ,
Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1918-06-15

MISS Ma son. !
can say nothing
except that a
watchman told
me Of having
seen a girl rum
ming toward the
Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1918-06-15

the French will be compelled to leave
simple. Imperial Germany will bring up
her guns to find ammunition of all cali
hers waiting for them. Ammunition
made In America, paid by France.
shipped in spite of British interference
and embargoes-for GNmany'"
Slakberg regarded ht audience COM
pacently pleased at the evidences of
pleasure they displayed.
During his recital Won Papen had
reached for a check book And now,
with its hastily linked signature scarcely
dry, he handed n check to Slakberg
I'm token Of our Fatherland's esteem
he smiled
The conference, supremely satisfactory
to those who had shared its secrets,
ended II had double sequel. however.
Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1918-06-15

Grant shook his
head in negation,
Nothing much.
The A. T. X.
Munitions Com
pany have started
work on a big
Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1918-06-15
'TRUCTION OF MUNITIONS PLANT FOLLOWS EXPOSURE
BY ..EAGLE'S EYE' OF GERMAN ARCH SPY,S DUPLICITY
Girl Employed by U. S. Secret Ser
Uice, After Discovering the Plot
and Saving Lives of Workers,
Escapes Following Arrest

and sauntered across the yard and into
the main loading room on an errand
conspicuously' innocent in appearance.
But in his pocket was the tiny sparker
which, when affixed, meant destruction
of lives and property, the death or injury
of the hundreds of women who worked
about him innocent of the danger that
hung over them.
He removed a globe from a socket
and slipped in another Several globes
were replaced. At last he unscrewed a
globe and in its place slipped the little
sparker. His actions were unobtrusive.
He glanced hastily around. No one
noticed him or guessed his errand, for
the shell leaders were all intent on
their work and the filling Of the great
order which had just come. Picking up
the remaining globes he passed down the
length of the room and out into the
cool night air. toward the power house
The buzz OF a motorcycle being raced
at high speed Jared on the quiet of the
yard outside the factory. The electrician
cast an annoyed glance in the direction
of the rider. The machine stopped In
front of the. powerhouse and Dixie Mason
slipped from the seat. She saw the
electrician cast a hurried glance at her
ever his shoulder. and she hesitated.
Was she too late to stop him from car
rying out his plan, whatever 1t was?
Could she stop him? An attempt to stop
the spy might fail, but she could at least
warn the people of their danger.
Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1918-06-15

He crossed the
factory yard to
I h q powerhouse
and entered it's
s g m | darkness,
peering about. No
one was in sight
Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1918-06-15

Slakbere picked
up the plan ms and
followed the boy
out slowly. The
request was a lit
tie unusual and a
ShadnW of fear
Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1918-06-15

Dixie Mason did
not return to the
loading room. In
stead she took up
the trail of the
disappearing cleo
trician. She saw
Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1918-06-15

She ran into
the building. Past
long lines of
workers she DASH
ed screaming in a
shrill voice that
echoed above the
Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1918-06-15

UT LFI %, "VT
many's unofficia
man of all work
was still captive
to the charms OF
Dixie Mason, and
still ignorant that
Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1918-06-15

The plans from
Taris received the
o, X. of the pres
idfent of the COM
pany and its di-
rectors. I h e Y
were given into
Evening journal., 1918-05-11
v. c. 7. j. Of KENT
ELECTS Officers
Electrical, Rain and Hail
Storm Passes Over
Capital Town
TWO DWELLINGS
SWEPT BY FIRE

Special to THE EVENING JOURNAL.
DOVER, Del. May ii-At the annual
convention OF the Kent county W C..
T.. L., held at Lebanon. on Thursday
the following officers were elected;
President. Mrs. Ella Cordrey- Farming
ton: vlce-president Mrs. John w
Caulk. Dover: second vice-president'
Mrs Kate Thompson, Cheswold; re-
cQrdlng secretary. Mrs Evelyn killen'
FELTON,: corresponding secretary, Miss
Josephine Kitchens treasurer, Mrs.
Anna Slaughter.
A severe electrical storm. accompan-
led with heavy hail and rain. passed
over Dover last evening Hail stones
were unusually large and the wind
beat them against windows hard
enough TO break window panes In some
Instances
fire of unknown origin DESTROYED
double frame dwelling on Wesi
street, Thursday night, occupied 10y
two colored families.
Mr.. and Mrs. Harvey r. Roop. who
have been residents OF Florida for the
past I'VE years. have returned to Dover
and will reside with Mrs. Roops par
cnts, Mr.. and Mrs Z. l.. Jones. Mr.
BOop will be associated with Mr. Jones
in the machine business.
Evening journal., 1918-05-11
OPPOSED TO SUNDAY
BALL AND MOVIES

Mothers Day win receive ntilng REQ
ognition in the services OF the First
Presbyterian Church, Market street
above Ninth street. The minister. the
Rev. j. Ross stonesifer viii have foi
his sermon theme at 1890 o'clock. a
Mothers song OF Patriotism. The choi
viii sing. Babylon" Collins. and ihs
quartet, 90 Eyes That Are Weary
Bartlett
The Sunday school viii meet at moor
and will continue the Mothers Day fea-
lures. All OF the departments have sem
out special invitations o. the parents
20 attend these exercises. The chill
dren in the elementary departments anc
the adults In the main room have spe-
clal program and tributes
In The evening at Gao o'clock the
Willing Light Bearers will have charge
of, the service regularly conducted pl
the Christian Endeayor Society. In adj
diiion 90 the missionary features which
VIII make up their program there Wi
/ be a short address by Mrs Charles
/ Eastman.
AT 100 O'Clock Mr.. stonesifer will
preach against the demand in certain
| quarters for an "Open Sabbath,' in'
cludlng baseball and moving pictures
The musical program win have extra.
ordinary interest The choir VIII sins
Rock OF Ages" Dudley Buck, and Miss
\ Louise CrOwnOver VIII sing. "Prolst
Ye the Lord" MendelssOhn. There will
also be two selections from Schuberti
quartet by a string quartet, under tiC
leadership OF Harry Stauscbach. TN
members OF me quartet are Harr,
slhusebach. nrst vioiinist; Harry Groll
second violinst; Ralph Jacobs, Volt
and sydney Hamer, cellist.
, The organ numbers for tho day er'
as follows.
Morning. "Romanza Appasionata
, Orth: LA Cinquanlaine." Gabriel
Marie.
Evening; "ldnlio," Lack; ''Postlude,
Ashford.