Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1922-02-11
True
Detective Stories
THE BOMB PLOT

4
The knocking at the door Of the
house occupied by Charles Won
Kleist. In Brooklyn, was not peremp-
tory, nor yet did II SAVIOR of STEALTH
ness. During the silence which fol-
lowed. the two men on the doorstep
looked at each other inquiringly
Then
Tap-tap-tap, they knocked again.
Slowly. silently. the door swung
open and, from the inner recesses Of
pitch-black hall. came voice which
inquired. In cultural German:
"Who are you, and what do you
want?"
I'VE come from the Wolf" was the
reply. "He said that you would know
what we wanted"
From the Wolff" echoed the voice
from within. How do I know that
you are not wolves yourselves? How
--'
"This'll prove who we are" inter
rupted the man who had previously
spoken. producing card and slipping
the door. Read and act" he contin-
ued. still In German
A moment later the chain had been
removed and the two men. their coat
collars turned high, their hats pulled
low. entered the darkened hall. Not
until the old man had refastened the
door and preceded them into Il room
where the tightly closed shutters eff
fectually prevented any spying from
the outside. did he again address
them. When he did speak. II was
merely To inquire their names.
"Barnitz," replied one Of the men
the one who had carried on the con-
yersation from the outside.
"Barth." said the other.
"Barnitz." the old man repeated ru-
minatively. THAT is name of the
Fatherland. a good name. But Barth?
| know II not. Is IL not English?"
american" corrected the first OF
the strangers at would not do TO use
too many Of our citizens In this plan.
II would cause suspicion We must
use all kinds Of people-that's how we
fool these Yankees. Besides. should
you doubt. there is the card from the
Wolf That bears both names"
THAT is So" agreed the German.
land Won Igel Is not one to take any
chances. He Is too close To Won Papen.
For what were you sent hereT'
"The Wolf wishes 10 be assured that
everything Is going smoothly.
Then. after moments hesitation.
during which he studied Won Kleist's
face very carefully: Have you com
pleted the bombs?"
"A few only. II will be simple to
make the others. Come. will show
you"
Through the winding labyrinthine
passages of the old house the German
led them. and then out into the back
yard-a tiny plot of ground barely a
few feet square.
''As you will note" he said. 1--WE can
not be overlooked from any Of the sur
rounding houses.
The man called Barth. glancing up.
saw that the German was right. Only
the bare walls of warehouses frowned
down upon them. As he looked how
ever, he seemed 10 catch a queer CLINT
from one of the nearby roofs-a CLINT
as of sunlight refracted from binocu-
lar-glass.
After he had removed three tulip
bulbs. planted In u straight line, as II to
mark u certain spot. Won Kleist pro-
duced small oblong box. black and
ominous.
This" he said. motioning them back
into the house, sis the only one have
ready for use. The ones shall show
you I'm the cellar-ln order that you
may tell the Wolf just how his plans
are being carried out-are merely the
cases. But this one Doctor Scheele
turned over to me as sample. Care
full Don't drop II.
There were several OF these on the
Lusitania, and when the news OF her
destruction first arrived thought that
my handiwork was responsible. But
the honor was not mine. unfortunately.
IntTt are uiSO btiibS
on the Friedrich Der Crosse, In case
these Yankees ever attempt 10 seize
our property. The moment they start
her engines. that moment they start
the bombs. Yes" concluded the old
man, "you can tell the Wolf that his
plans are being well carried out. Kar-
bode. Schmidt. Paradis and Praedel
are attending 10 the ones ON the ship.
and Scheele and Becker on land"
Splendid exclaimed Barnitz.
"The chief will be delighted TO hear
this. Why not come with US now and
tell him about itT'
Thinking. Of course. that his visitor
referred to Wolf Won Igel. Kleist read
lily agreed. and Il was not until their
taxicab stopped In front Of police head
quarters that he sensed anything
wrong. Before he knew II he was being
walked into the Office Of Inspector
Thomas J. Tunney. with gun in his
ribs.
Chief" cried Barnitz. that card