New Britain herald., 1919-11-17
BEHIND THE LINES OVER HERE
 Being The Revelations of U. s. Secret
 Service Man .... ..: DIR. MUCK'S ACTIVITIES

d stroke of lightning from a clear sky. l thought the earth began to shake under me. I saw the cool col lected and refined lady of a few moments ago transformed into tigress, who defends her young
 How dare you propose to search my daughters bedroom?" she de- manded in red anger.
 I tried to reason With her. to ey- plain to her that We did not do1bt her family's loyalty; that the war sometimes caused inconvenience to real patriots, and that as such. if was her duty to assist us-but it was nse- less. Then suddenly I caught the eve of my companion, who shook his head, conveying to me the suggestion that I sho1.Id keep silent and let her anger '"blow over." Finally she arose. and raising her voice still higher. threatened us that she would phone the police if we did not leave the house instantly.
 Indignant Mother.
 I stood up also and walking to her, said:
 "NoW, Mrs. Marvin. so far I have been very patient with you. I realize the delicate feeling of 9 mother and respect your sentim ments. But you must understand these are war timos and our boys are shedding their blood over in France It is necessary that you should control your feelings and sacrifice them for the good of our cause. We are here representing the most democratic government on the face of the globe. In any other coun- try the agents of the government when in search of such material as we are after would not for a moment consider the feelings of parents H. you do not stop shouting so loud your servants will soon know all about our mission. We are aS anxious as you to keep this affair confidential and you are only harming yourself
 But she still insisted that she would phone the police.
 Well, then, proceed" I said. "l have the authority to cut your wires, and I have the authority to order the police officer when he arrives to keep guard over you here in this room while I conduct the search myself. without your assistance. The result
 
 servants will spread the news, and. within another two hours every news. paper in the country will be printing ''eXtras'' with your name It is to your benefit to be reasonable with us." l eXpostulated.
 Then may I phone to my son ?' She became very meek
 That is just the right thing to do,' I said enthusiastically. By all means tell your son to come at once He will understand our position better. Men understand these situations" : She told her son over the phone that two Secret Service men were there and wanted to search his sisters rooms. Then she hung up the re- ceiver, turned to me and said:
 My son says, Grant their every request and let them go into every corner of the house they wish, and help them all you can.'''
 Searching of the Girls Room.
 As Mrs. Marvin led us upstairs to her daughters room, she turned and said to me:
 My daughter is out horseback. riding; she may return any n1inute' ''
 Just as we entered Miss Marvin s room an unpleasant thought entered my mind. Is it possible that our de. clslon to conduct such search ot her room has already been communi- cated to her or to Dr. Muck through one of the German Sympa thizers, in the department and the incriminatinn correspondence in her possession de- stroyed? We learned afterward that either Miss Marvin had destroyed some of Muck's most incrimina ting letters, or she had not, but wrote and told him that she had. For the fol- lowing letter explains that she had told Dr. Muck that she had made q bonfire of his letters. It reads: New York, N. Y, Mar. 15,. F. M., 191S Grand Central Station,~ Miss Adele Marvin,
 Boston, Mass.
 Nv i.1inp.