Western news and the Libby times. [volume] (Libby, Mont.) 1920-1933, 1929-05-16
CHAPTER II.-Continued

OUe DI the HpCUduttS Heiptist
Schmidt by name, had taken for
principal role In our strategy. He
was slender. beardless, and Of delicate
appearance, and could pass well
enough In woman's clothes. Norwe-
gian shippers often take their wives
with them on their voyages. The cap
tain's wife aboard the false Maleta
would seem natural and tend to dis
arm suspicion. and. BESIDES British
naval officers are always courteous
and considerable toward women. In
the presence Of the captains wife, a
prize officer who might board us would
be more obliging toward US all. We
had a blonde wig for Schmidt and
an outfit OF women's clothes. We took
great pains In schooling him to play
the part of the captains wife correct
ly. One difficulty was his big feet.
There was, unfortunately, no way TO
make them smaller, SO we arranged
that the captains wife should be
slightly III and remain seated during
any possible search and have rug
thrown over her feet to keep them
warm. The other difficulty was
Schmidt's voice. II was too deep. and
he knew no Norwegian. Well. the cap
taIn's wife cant talk because she has
an awful toothache. A wad Of cotton
stuffed into Schmidt's cheek, and there
was the swelling He did know enough
English to say "all right" We trained
him to say a hlgh-pitched "all right"
something like woman with tooth
ache. Except for that phrase, be was
to keep his mouth shut. We had a
large photograph made OF Schmidt In
his costume, signed 1t THY loving Jo-
sephine," and hung 1t In my cabin.
Now the Britishers could compare the
photograph Of the captains wife with
1.-THE lady In person. So from now on
poor Schmidt's name was "Josefeena"
as the Norwegians pronounce 1t.
We were ready to sail when, BY Joe,
what comes but telegram from the
kaiser's aide. | am to report imme
/ UiAlGtV
what was up. had gone into the
navy from the mercantile marine in
stead OF through the usual cadet route.
| L Ind been a common ordinary sailor.
| and this had aroused lot of antag
onIsm in naval circles. There had been
| jealousy about my getting an indie
| pendent command-highest OF all na-
| val honors. So attempts were being
made to have my assignment annulled.
Even to appear In the imperial pres
| ence was a trying ordeal for most off,
GERS. Many took refuge In rigid ''at-
tention" Well. | had never quite got
used to high-class manners at sea, and
| the ramrod attention" left me more
embarrassed than otherwise. Even In
the emperor's presence, kept the
same brusque manner OF an old-time
seaman that was natural to me.
The kaiser spoke bnnlly.
swell, Luckner, at the admiralty
they now tell me 1t Is madness to at
tempt the blockade with sailing ship.
What do you thInk?"
"Well, your majesty, II our adml-
rally says it's impossible and ridlcu.
lous. then I'm sure 1t can be done, :
replied For the British admiralty
will think 1t impossible also. They
won't be on the lookout for anything
so absurd as raider disguised as Ii
harmless old sailing ship"
The emperor looked at me with a
! frown, and then his face relaxed into
| a smile.
"You are right, Luckner. Go ahead
And may the hand Of the Almighty
be at your helm"
knew nov that there would be no
more official interference. The true
Maleta was now due to sail In a day
so we made ready to pull up anchor
Then wireless came from the admi
rally.
wait till the Deutschland makes
port"
Our giant merchant submarine, thu
4 Deutschland WIS OH her way heine
from herr famous transatlantic cruise
to America. In an attempt 10 cut hei
nff. the British had SET II double watch
So the Seeader would have to sir
\ past twice as many cruisers and de