The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-05-20

cautions, she was learning about our work at Camp Hunt. German artll- lery officers captured on the front seemed to take particular delight lh informing use about our artillery eN- periments; how many guns we hao' the caliber of them just now many batteries we had in training and other things that it was never meant that they should know. The loquacity of these prisoners proved to us that what we had considered closely guarded secret was secret no long er It was disconcerting to say the least to be told by prisoner that our carefully guarded plans were known to the enemy and they were profiting by that knowledse; 9ac5 1ote was the condition of affairs in 1918, when from headquarters in Tours came the order:
 "plug that leak. and plug it quick
 It was very evident to us that the information was coming from the camp direct or nearby. It dld not seem possible to us that Germany, as clever as she undoubtedly was couid successfully plant spy in the camp itself. Then, too, the character ot their information convinced us or this improba bility, for the troops were continually moving in for a lew weeks training and then moving on to the fighting areas. 1T spy nae succeeded in joining one or the resl- ments, he would long ago have gone forward with his unit. If the leak was not. in the camp itself. and we were satisfied that it was not, then where was the logical point for Ger many to concentrate her spies!
 Arcnchon Was the Answer.
 It did not require very strong ar
 1t n1 was nesting place for spies. The city was rendezvous for the Amerl- can and French officers and men on leave from the front, and the only recreation spot available for the or ficers and men from Camp Hunt, who came in at every opportunity to es- cape the dreariness of the wilderness and the monotony of camp ire. w nat better place could be found for secret worl,p The hotels and cafes were crowded and, in the midst of the na- tive population and the transient French guests, clever spy could work undetected. Our deductions sat isfied LIS that in this city of villas ana beautiful women we would ma the answer to our problem. IL was an assignment much sought alter ny our men. For once, while "orhihS 'o solve a problem. they could at the same time secure more or less re- taxation and enjoyment out of the work. Too, it gave us an opportunity to reward the men who were most ue- serving: Lieutenant Johnson was aS signed to cover the hotels, sergeant Bell to take care of the pensions, ana Graham, our best man, assigned to cover that underworld from Whlch no city of any size anywhere IS Tree. (The names given these iheH "io iNe their true names.) |.
 Army officers will tell you that 1t is not action but the unavoidable de- lays and waits that weaken the morale of the soldier. Our men were not immune from the effects or Walt ing and watching for a SID that could be seized upon and turned to our advantage. Graham, the one who had been covering the underworld, in Arcachtn was the first to break uh- der the strain. Believing that he was of no use and ready to admit de1eat' he decided to come in.
 Graham had lived long enough in France before the war to have ap- sorbed some of the volatile tempera- ment of the French. When working up but he did not have the stamina to withstand inactitn. Always work ing in civilian clothes. speaking French like native. he easily passed for a Frenchman. In fact, hls dis guise was so perfect that on more than one occasion insinuations had been made that he should be at the front with the rest of the poilus. So when on Sunday afternoon he board ed the train and took q seat in a com partment already occupied by three American officers they thought nm merely one more Frenchman and con- tinued their talk. Graham, too down. hearted to pay any attention to thelr conversation. stared disconsolately out of the window.
 Jests and banter flew back and forth among these three young off, cers returning to their regiments after a two weeks leave at Arcachon. One would recall an amusing incident and all would join in the laugh-and then another. in turn. Their leave had apparently been joyous one Tor them. Their jokes had made no inn pression on Graham, until the con versation shifted to certain women, Madame DCudin, Madame Fountain and Mile Brisson, and as the talk now became more personal. Graham, although he still continued his stare out of the window, was all attention.
 Bill" said one. "what would your girl gack in the States say If she knew how friendly you had been with Madame? Guess I'll have to write her and put her wise! ..
 We'll drawled Bill. T reckon if my girl did find out she would be sore; but if she knew that I had per- mitted Madame to pay the bills. l sure would be gone for good!"
 "Never mind, Bill" replied the other officer, called Cole, i've are all in the same boat. Those women were