The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1923-05-06

German colonies in uniform. Gretchen told
that she had talked it all over with the men.
They were willing to carry out tn ,ir part
to help the Americans get away, if the
Americans would make them certain pledges
t, be fulfilled when all were finally safe
in France.
"Our proposition is this" said one of the
Germans eve can secure all the data
needed to enable Foch to so plan his attack
that victory will be sure, but we demand
three things: First, we must be protected
as long as we live from the long arm of the
German spy system; second, we are giving
up all our property in Germany, so we must
have $4,000 in cash for our own use, and
third, we must be furnished transportation
to some foreign country where, under an
other name, we can start life over again.
We can, without danger, secure the neces-
sary passes to allow US to take you to the
front In fact, we can say we are taking
you up to the front so that you will be
killed up there, instead of here in Coblenz.
We are allowed to travel anywhere, and
when we get to the front lines, we can slip
over in the night and before morning be
safely in the Allied trenches"
Major Anderson promised that they
should have all they asked, provided they
furnished information up to their specifica-
tions
"Never fear on that score" was the an
for the campaigns"
The woman who had been successful in
making the arrangements urged them to hur-
ry their start. "The quicker the BETTER" she
whispered, "for every hour you remain here
increases the danger of orders being issued
to confine you-and then it would be all
over"
The German officers said they could be
ready by the next night. 1t was decided the
start must be made near midnight of the
following day.
On the theory that they were taking the
Americans off to be quietly put out of the
way, the German colonies got permission for
all four to proceed by motor to the front
line trenches. To assist them, Captain
Schmidt was sent along, although both the
colonies protested against it vigorously.
After bidding the two women farewell,
the party started for Metz, and everything
progressed according to plans and the next
night found the entire party established in
that town, where, as soon as morning came,
Colonel Harte went forward to reconnoi-
ire the 'front.' in order to find place where
all could cross over. After two days of
cred just the place.
The next question was what to do with
Schmidt.
II have way out of the difficulty" said
Major Anderson. "Let him go into the
front line with us. l will attend to him
when the time comes, for owe him great
deal for his studied insults to my country,
and before l go across l want to repay
him.
On the next afternoon the entire party
made their way into the front trenches and
by careful maneuvering they arrived near
midnight at the place selected. There were
only two soldiers on guard, and when the
colonel ordered them to go to their dugout
they went without question. Then came the
final act in the drama.
Realizing that if they attempted to cross
while Captain Schmidt was alive, he would
at once give the alarm, it was decided that
the time had come to settle all scores with
him. He was quietly seized and as quietly
silenced, and when they passed over the top
the Major remarked: "He will never insult
Americans again."
The four noiselessly made their way
through the barbed wire entanglements and
were soon swallowed up in the darkness All
was moving as planned, when cry arose
behind them in the German trenches APP