THE KAISER'S DEATH MESSENGER--ROBERT FAY
A deathly calm hung over the trenches. After a day made hideous by
the thunder of artillery and shriek of shells an unearthly peace had
settled over the desolate stretch of shell-torn battleground. In the
German trenches a sergeant leaned against the sandbag fortifications.
The light from his cigarette glowed fitfully in the darkness as he
puffed at it nervously, while he waited for the men he had chosen to
accompany him in an attack on the French trenches. Soon he would be
crawling out over the shell-pitted stretch of No Man's Land with a
haversack filled with hand grenades. His proficiency in handling them
had brought him fame in the ranks of the Kaiser's army. Fame! He tossed
the cigarette butt aside contemptuously and then stamped on its glowing
end. Fame! What was it compared to life? Why should he, for the sake
of a few days of glory and a name for being successful in carrying out
these bombing attacks, risk his life--his life which could be used for
stopping the whole terrible business and bringing the war to a close in
which Germany would be victorious? He clenched his fist in the darkness
and struck at the sandbag. If his plans could be used he would stop in
three months the munitions supply of the Allies and soon for want of
munitions they would sue for Peace.
He reached for his watch. Its faint phosphorescence pointed the hour
to him. He heard the tramp of footsteps. His men were coming. Soon he
would be out there crawling through the darkness toward that other line
of trenches, dodging wire entanglements, playing possum beneath the
light of flares. Perhaps this raid would be his last. Perhaps in a day
or so a cross would be raised for him,
"Sergeant Robert Fay, Died for Fatherland."
The footsteps drew nearer. The sergeant raised himself in preparation
for taking command--and then he stopped. Out of the darkness his
superior officer's voice came to him in guttural accents:
"Sergeant Fay, you are to report at once to Cologne for promotion and
other duty."
Fay received the announcement with the stolidity born of long military
training, but a moment later the meaning of the words transformed his
features.
"My plans have been approved!" he gasped.
But the officer had disappeared. Fay could hear the tramp of his
retreating footsteps.
Far removed from scenes of strife and horror and suffering, separated
from them by the broad blue of the Atlantic, the tide of life rolled on
peacefully in the United States. Peacefully--to all appearances. There
a people torn with sympathy and pity for the wrongs wreaked on helpless
Belgium by the greedy hand of Germany sought to alleviate those wrongs
and bring what help they could to the suffering nation by food supplies
and gifts of money and clothing. They little knew that the horrors that
had waged on their own shores were to meet with success. While the
American people pursued their peaceful occupations, sinuous tentacles
were reaching out to entangle them in the war that was casting its
shadow over Europe.
On the twenty-fifth floor of a building that reared its dark heights
among other skyscrapers on Wall Street, in a luxuriously furnished
office, two men sat in conference--Captain Franz von Papen, Military
Attache of the Imperial German Government, and Captain Karl Boy-Ed,
Naval Attache.
In an outer office sat Wolff von Igel, Von Papen's secretary. His knock
at the door interrupted the conference in the inner office.
"Lieutenant Fay wishes to see you."
Von Papen glanced up with a frown.
"I can't see him now. Tell him to come back in an hour."
"I told him you were busy but he has a letter from the General Staff
which indicates that his visit may be of importance."
Von Papen hesitated.
"Show him in," he ordered.
A moment later Robert Fay erstwhile expert grenade thrower of the
German trenches, now promoted to a lieutenancy, saluted the Captain.
Von Papen eyed him closely.
"Your papers?"
Fay handed him a letter. Von Papen read it and handed it to Boy-Ed, his
gaze returning again to Fay.
"So you are here to help us? How did you make the trip?"
"I arrived yesterday on the _Rotterdam_. My passport was made out to
one Kearling from whom I bought it in Cologne. It is a simple matter
now to buy a passport. I substituted Kearling's picture for my own. His
description fitted mine nearly enough to pass."
[Illustration: The counterfeit passport]
"But the passport must be stamped," interposed Boy-Ed.
"Yes, but that too is simple. The photograph is simply perforated to
match the perforations of the stamp already on the passport. You see
how easy it is. I am here. I have had no trouble. But now I am Fay, no
longer Kearling."
"Very good," commented Von Papen. "And now your plan."
"It is to stop the export of munitions to the Allies from the United
States for three months and perhaps permanently."
His listeners looked at him somewhat incredulously.
"I am by profession a mechanic and have had in mind many inventions. My
most recent one is a bomb which will not explode until the vessel is
three miles out. This, when attached to munition carrying ships, will
also cause the munitions to explode. My plan has meet the approval of
the German Government to such an extent that they have commissioned me
to come to the United States for the purpose of carrying it out. They
have generously granted me 20,000 marks to further my plans."
"You will perhaps be kind enough to describe this bomb to us?" Von
Papen indicated a chair and they drew close about the table.
"You are acquainted with the explosive Trinitrate of Toluol?"
They nodded. "What is known at T.N.T.?" Boy-Ed commented.
"Exactly. This bomb carries 100 pounds of T.N.T. It is so arranged
that it can be fastened to the rudder post of a ship with a wire line
running from that to a clamp that fits on the rudder. As the rudder
is worked in the movement of the ship at sea, the line will wind up,
tightening the clockwork until the spring inside is released. This will
send the plunger against two rifle cartridges which will explode the
T.N.T. and----" he stopped. There was no necessity for finishing the
sentence. A fanatical light shown in his eyes. He clasped and unclasped
his hands in an intensity of excitement, and his hearers unconsciously
absorbed his mood.
"Our bomb squads have used T.N.T. effectively on various occasions,"
said Boy-Ed with a smile at Von Papen. "As the highest powered
aeroplane bomb carries only about 80 pounds of T.N.T. we are able to
judge quite accurately what 100 pounds can accomplish."
Von Papen nodded and reaching across the table for a match lighted his
cigar.
"Lieutenant Fay, does anyone know of your arrival in America?"
"No one," answered Fay, "except his excellency, Count Von Bernstorff."
"That is well. You perhaps are not well acquainted with conditions
here. Our position demands that we must not be known as the directors
of any movement of espionage against the United States. Germany, of
course, is not at war with the United States. To the United States we
are a friendly nation." He flicked the ashes from his cigar with a
contemptuous movement.
A cynical smile crossed the face of Boy-Ed. It was reflected on the
face of Fay.
For a few moments a deep silence settled on the room. From far below on
Wall Street sounds of traffic drifted up, shouts of drivers, newsboys,
fruit venders, each sound echoed and magnified as it rose between the
dark walls of the building that bordered the street.
Fay stirred uneasily. The even tones of Von Papen once more broke the
silence.
"In this crusade it is inevitable that many ships will be blown up. If
we who are here in public official capacity should become identified
in any way with this movement it would lead to our dismissal from the
country--and dismissal at this time would mean the relinquishment of
many plans now under way. Therefore, if your plan should fail and you
should be arrested we would, of course, be compelled to repudiate you.
Like-wise it would be your duty to say that you had tried to see us but
that we had denied you an interview. This is clear to you?"
Fay smiled imperturbably.
"I understand."
"Very well. We are then in a position to be of aid to you as far as
possible. You will of course need explosives. It is very difficult just
now to obtain these."
"In case you cannot get the T.N.T. at once I will be willing to go on
with my work using dynamite until the higher explosive can be secured.
But I would rather have the T.N.T. Can I count on you to procure it for
me?"
"As soon as possible, but it may take some time. As I said, explosives
are hard to procure now unless some good reason is given for their
need."
Fay arose and pushed his chair back. "This will be agreeable to me. I
will put in my time perfecting my bomb case and will report to you by
the end of the week, Friday if it is convenient."
In a moment the door closed behind him and they heard his footsteps
echoing down the hall.
Boy-Ed glanced at Von Papen quizzically. "The procuring of this
T.N.T.--it is most important that he have it, but how can it be
brought about?"
Von Papen smiled. "Do you remember the doctor that Von Igel brought
to the Club one night last week?" Boy-Ed nodded. "He spoke to me of a
friend who has access to explosives of all kinds. Through him I am sure
I can supply Fay with the material for this wonderful bomb of his."
Friday found Fay again in enthusiastic conference with the Captain.
"I have rented a garage on Main Street in Weehawken which I will use
for an experimental station," he reported. "To throw off suspicion I
rented it, saying I was going to conduct an automobile repair business.
I have an old motor car there which I have taken apart to carry out the
illusion, but meanwhile I am working on my mine. Have you been able to
learn where I can procure some T.N.T.?"
"I have worked through several people and have at last arranged for an
amount of this material large enough to enable you to do some practical
work, to be delivered to you as soon as I received your address. I
will see now that the shipment is made in a day or so." Von Papen
scribbled the address of the garage in Weehawken on a memorandum and
Fay departed, pleased at the results of his visit.
A lull had fallen on the affairs of the Criminology Club. To its
members, always on the alert to stamp out the first fires of intrigue
before they spread their destroying flames over the peace of the
country, the lull brought no illusions. They recognized it simply as
the lull before another storm.
It was the day of Fay's second visit to Von Papen's office. Pat
Hennessy, doorman at the Criminology Club, had just announced a visitor
and shown him into Harrison Grant's office.
Grant surveyed his visitor quizzically.
"My name is Wettig, C.L. Wettig. I am a dealer in explosives," he
announced simply.
Grant nodded and motioned him to a chair.
"I have something which I think will be of interest to you. I have been
asked to procure for certain parties a quantity of T.N.T. You are of
course acquainted with the nature of this explosive and the use it is
commonly put to?"
A gleam of interest shone in Grant's eyes. "Trinitrate of Toluol? Yes."
Wettig wasted no time in words. He told his story briefly.
"I have, in fact, been approached by several people recently, all
of whom seemed particularly interested in obtaining some of it. I
thought it best to go ahead with the deal in an effort to gain all
the information possible concerning the persons who wanted it. Now,
however, something has happened which brings me to the need of advice.
Today I was told to deliver the T.N.T. as soon as I could get it to a
garage in Weehawken. Shortly after I was told that the purchaser had
changed his address. I'm afraid he has slipped through my hands."
He surveyed Grant somewhat anxiously but appeared reassured by
Grant's decision. "No, I think he is probably playing safe. You will
undoubtedly hear from him in a day or so. Let me know when you do."
Wettig picked up his hat. "We'll let it stand that way then. As soon as
I hear anything I will communicate with you."
A week sped by without further information regarding the personnel of
those who wished the T.N.T.
Harrison Grant had put the week to good use. A casual acquaintance
formed in the past with Madam Augusta Stephan, chief of Germany's women
spies in America, had been cultivated with care and subtle intent on
his part. Madam Stephan, somewhat blindly, renewed the acquaintanceship
with the feeling that it was a heaven-sent opportunity which would
enable her to gain information for the interests she served.
At her invitation Grant was spending a most enjoyable evening in her
apartment. Madam Stephan was clever. Too clever, he mused as she
left the room with a promise to return with "one of those American
cocktails," which she professed to be an adept at mixing. His glance
strayed to a little writing desk near the couch upon which he lounged.
He could hear the clink of glass in the little kitchenette. With a
quick move he slipped the desk top down and noiselessly ran over a pile
of letters that lay in full sight. The clink of glasses on a tray grew
louder. Madam Stephan was returning. He thrust the top letter into his
pocket and closed the desk.
Madam Stephan's beautiful face clouded with disappointment as Harrison
Grant, bewailing the necessity that forced him to leave the pleasure of
her company so early, shortly after made his adieus. The disappointment
turned to plain anger as the door closed behind him and she realized
that her efforts to gain his confidence had not met with success.
Grant's evening had proved more profitable. The letter he had purloined
from Madam Augusta's writing desk he read later with obvious
satisfaction in his office at the Criminology Club.
"Dear Madame," the letter ran, "Fay will be able to obtain what
dynamite he needs at the old lighthouse at Marsh's Inlet. C.L. Wettig
has promised a quantity of T.N.T. Sincerely, Von Papen."
"Wettig!" It was the man who had talked with him early in the week, the
explosives agent. It was probable that the Fay referred to was the man
of whom Wettig had spoken. It was more than probable. Certainty grew in
Grant's mind as he outlined his plans for action. He reached for the
push button that summoned Cavanaugh.
"Get C.L. Wettig here as soon as you can," he ordered, handing Billy
Cavanaugh the card Wettig had left on his recent visit.
Billy Cavanaugh made good time. It was scarcely three-quarters of an
hour later when he returned with his man.
Grant greeted him cordially. "Well Wettig, we have a line on your man.
Have you heard anything?"
Wettig pulled a slip of paper from his pocket and a card.
"Not until today when a man called at my office and told me to deliver
the stuff to a boathouse on the Jersey shore tomorrow, to a Robert
Fay. Here's the location of the place."
A smile of satisfaction crossed Grant's face.
"Fay. That was the name." He glanced up. "You haven't delivered the
stuff yet, of course?"
"No, I was going to see you first. Thought it was too late tonight to
get hold of you."
"Not us. The Criminology Club never sleeps," Grant smiled. "Tomorrow
have the T.N.T. delivered to me. Then get into communication with this
Fay and tell him that you are having it sent over by someone he can
trust. Someone who is all right. You understand? Tell him that your
messenger is a trained mechanic and is anxious to be of help to 'The
Cause.'" The last was added with a sardonic smile.
Wettig nodded. "I get you. Tomorrow I'll have the stuff delivered.
Here's a card that was given me when they first started negotiations.
This will help you get by and show them you are the one I mentioned."
He held a card, Grant, looking through it toward the light, saw the
coat-of-arms of Germany watermarked on it.
"Thanks. I'll be able to make good use of it," he said slipping the
card into a leather purse.
Wettig held out his hand. "Good bye, and good luck."
The men shook hands, and a moment later Pat Hennessy was closing the
outside door after Wettig.
For precautionary reasons Robert Fay had moved his headquarters in
Weehawken to the boat house, the description of which had been given
to Wettig. He worked with the assistance only of a brother-in-law,
Walter Scholz, whom he had inveigled into giving up a position in a
Connecticut city to come to Jersey and help him in the manufacture of
the bombs which were to play havoc with all shipping in Atlantic ports.
The afternoon after Wettig's conference with Grant, Fay, working on
the model of the stern of a ship, hastily covered it with canvas as he
heard the rumble of wheels outside. A wagon drew up and a moment later
a heavy knock shook the weather-beaten boarding of the boat house door.
Fay gave a quick glance around the boat house to see that everything
was covered. "What do you want?" he called.
There was no answer. Fay frowned, and then caught sight of a card
slipping through a crack in the door. He pulled it through and held it
to the light. The eagle of Germany showed clearly. It was the pass card!
Fay opened the door. Outside a laborer, dark, and roughly dressed stood
holding in each hand a suit case. Striding into the boat house he laid
them carefully side by side.
"T.N.T. A hundred pounds even. Dangerous stuff," he announced, rubbing
his hands together. "They gave me orders to stay and help you."
Fay looked at him. "Yes, I was told." He hesitated a moment and stirred
uneasily. His new assistant watched him calmly. Fay broke the silence.
"We who work for Germany are watched constantly. You will therefore
understand if I appear inquisitive. I must assure myself that you are
entirely in sympathy with what I am working for."
The newcomer laughed easily. "If I wasn't I wouldn't be running the
risk of getting pinched by carrying around this T.N.T. But if you want
credentials I can tell you that I have done a few things myself in
connection with the work of the German Government."
Fay looked interested. "Is it so? Then we will work well together."
That his assistant's task had been to land various hired agents of
the German Government in federal prisons for stays ranging from two
to ten years was something that Fay was not yet destined to know and
eager to be back at his work, he put aside further questioning and with
the pride of a fanatic who sees his one idea about to be realized,
described his invention. The canvas covering was thrown off the model
of the ship's stern. The manner in which the bomb could be screwed to
the rudder post, just how the wire line would lead to the rudder and
how the clockwork would gradually wind and wind with the motion of the
rudder until the tightened springs inside set off the plunger which
would cause an explosion of sufficient force to blow the ship from the
face of the ocean was described.
As they worked together in the succeeding days Fay told him of the
dreams of destruction which were seemingly to be realized. He told him
how first munition carrying ships would be attacked, and then the food
ships. And then, his plans succeeding, his energies would be extended
to war ships operating outside the three mile limit.
"And as a final blow," he finished, "one day there is the harbor of
New York. With one blow--one great explosion--it can be cleared of all
shipping, its docks and wharfs destroyed, New York's giant shipping
industry will be crippled forever and the Allies delayed for months
by being deprived of the supplies they need. Such an event would be
a victory for Germany unequalled in the annals of her magnificent
history!"
His assistant glanced at him with a look bordering on repulsion, but
Fay, in the frenzy of imagination, was blind to it.
"And the loss of life? That also does not matter?"
"Why should we care," Fay answered recklessly. "Germany will bombard
New York anyway--why not now? And the glory of the achievement----"
He was interrupted by a knock at the door, and went outside. The murmur
of voices sifted into the boat house. Then Fay reappeared.
"It is a message. They are complaining at our slowness. But I was able
to tell them that our bomb is finished. And the time for action has
come. Tonight our first blow will be struck!"
The assistant leaned forward and smiled peculiarly. He reached back to
his pocket, slowly, carefully.
"No it won't." The words fell strangely in the quiet of the dingy boat
house. Fay stared.
"It won't! Why not?"
"Because I arrest you in the name of the United States of America!"
A livid light spread over Fay's face. He stared at the other
speechlessly, as though his vocal organs had suddenly been stricken
with paralysis. Then he gasped strangely.
"You--Secret Service? You----" he rushed at Grant madly. But Grant
whipped his revolver around and pressed the trigger.
It snapped futiley.
Angrily Grant threw it at Fay's oncoming form and retreated to the
wall. As Fay reached him Grant raised his foot and planted it squarely
on Fay's chest. With a strange inhuman groan, Fay fell backward.
His career as a bomb plotter was over.
The news of his arrest spread quickly. Marsh's Inlet, where the boat
house was located, was a rendezvous for many who came there to enjoy
the winter sports. The day after Fay's arrest, Dixie Mason came with
Von Lertz to the Inlet. In the crowds she was able to pick out a dozen
or more people whom she could identify as being in active sympathy with
German interests in America.
A short way down the shore was the lighthouse, long since abandoned
though still picturesque. Dixie, somewhat wearied from an afternoon
of skating had retreated to the shelter house. As she unlaced her
skating shoes, she glanced up to see through the window a group of men
passing. One of them she recognized as Harrison Grant. For a moment
her heart throbbed wildly and a fear that he had come to the Inlet for
the skating and that again she would be seen with Von Lertz, left her
weak. But she stifled it. Her own hopes and fears and desires must not
influence the work she had set her hand to.
She watched with relief the group of figures as they passed on their
way toward the lighthouse. A vague wonder as to their intent flitted
through her mind and then was blotted out by a new interest. Madam
Stephan had arrived. Dixie saw her glance over the crowd outside,
single out Von Lertz and beckon to him with a gesture imperceptible to
one untrained to catch the slightest gesture and attach a meaning to it.
Von Lertz glided to the shore and stopped before her. They were beside
the shelter house and close to the window.
Dixie heard Madam Stephan's voice, quiet but ringing with suppressed
excitement.
"Grant has gone to raid the dynamite depot in the lighthouse."
"Yes?" Von Lertz's interest was instant. "And the trap?"
"Set and ready to spring."
A shiver of dread passed through Dixie Mason. What was this trap they
spoke of? Grant was in danger! The man whom Dixie could not forget nor
put out of her mind. The man who occupied her thoughts as no man had
done before. She wavered--and then straightened up determinedly. She
smiled graciously at Madam Stephan, entering the shelter house. And she
walked out to where Von Lertz was awaiting her still smiling, but her
heart was heavy with anxiety for Harrison Grant. A man skating in long
curves glided past and then with a sudden turn faced her. He glanced at
her closely as he skated slowly backward. Dixie had seen him several
times during the afternoon. She had noticed him eyeing Von Papen and
Boy-Ed. A faint hope came to her. Could it be that he was a "forward
shadow?"--the man who takes the risks of the Secret Service to aid some
other man to gain evidence?
She caught his eye, and winked quickly, her eyelids making the dots and
dashes of the Morse code.
"Secret Service?" she signalled.
The man nodded. Dixie's heart bounded with hope. She signalled again.
"Grant--danger--lighthouse!"
She turned to Von Lertz. Looking back she saw the Secret Service man
making for the shelter house.
The two men whom Harrison Grant and his operatives found in the
lighthouse submitted to arrest with unusual alacrity. The ease with
which they were taken puzzled Grant for a moment but it was forgotten
in the interest awakened by the place they had raided. Grant ordered
the men to drive to headquarters with the captured spies, deciding to
make further investigations himself.
The lower room of the lighthouse bore all the evidences of a typical
bomb manufactory. The odor of chemicals hung heavy in the air. Tables
were loaded with retorts and measuring glasses. Lengths of leaden pipe
and great jars of acid were stored on broad shelves. Grant marvelled
at the great stores of material on hand, and the indications of
preparations being made for wholesale destruction. In one corner of the
room were several packing boxes labelled "Dynamite," and coiled lengths
of fusing.
Grant, hands in pocket, had taken a mental inventory of the contents of
the room. It would be necessary to secure further help. The lighthouse
must be guarded until the destructive store of materials it held could
be removed to places in which they could put them to better use. He
walked musingly to the window. Far down the inlet the crowds of skaters
still held away and the late afternoon sun shone brilliantly on the
myriad colored throng. It was very quiet in the room. So quiet indeed
that Grant started suddenly at a muffled but clearly audible "Click!"
The sound was a familiar one. It was the click of the hammer of a gun
that had failed to fire, and it came from above.
For one moment Grant hesitated as a succession of thoughts passed
through his brain. Leading to an upper room at one corner was a ladder.
His assistant, whoever he was, was in that upper room! Grant made a
dash for the ladder--but his onrush was stopped midway as a revolver,
thrown with heavy force, caught him above the eye and hurled his body
back to the floor, unconscious.
A moment later, with a scurry of footsteps, a man rushed down the
ladder. He paused to glance at the body and around the room. An end of
fusing lay near at hand. With a quick movement he jerked it out and
whipping a match from his pocket lighted the end. The other end lay
across a box of dynamite--and the unconscious body of Grant lay on the
floor.
With a grunt of satisfaction, as the red flame caught at the fuse and
then died down to a glowing, growing ember that slowly but obstinately
ate its way along the fuse, the spy opened the door and was gone.
An automobile was approaching, its course marked by clouds of snow. In
the machine was the man to whom Dixie Mason had signalled her message
of distress, and with him two others.
For an appreciable moment the spy considered his avenues of escape.
They were pitiably few. One was a run for the woods in case the
pursuers had not yet caught sight of him. The other was no less
hazardous. Drawn up on the bank was an iceboat, left on the shore by
someone evidently intending to return shortly, for it was full rigged.
A swift run across the inlet in the iceboat might prove successful in
throwing them off his track. As the automobile drew nearer, the spy
made his decision and slipped around the lighthouse to the iceboat.
With a running push it slid before his weight far out on the ice. He
clambered aboard and whipped the sails into shape. The wind caught them
with a wild billowing and flapping and the craft glided out on the
smooth ice of the inlet like a great white bird.
For a moment the lighthouse hid him, and then it was impossible to
escape observation. Now the auto had reached the lighthouse. The driver
leaped out.
"Follow him," he shouted. "I'll see to Grant."
The machine plunged down the embankment of the shore and out on the ice
in a spray of snow.
Inside the lighthouse Grant groped in returning consciousness. About
him swirled clouds of smoke. The fuse, along which the slowly creeping
red fire advanced, had ignited a bunch of chemical-soaked excelsior.
Choking and fighting for breath Grant essayed to rise. In fitful
moments of consciousness he realized his peril and the need for help.
Was this to be the end of his endeavors to help his country free
herself from the treacherous clutch that was fast choking the breath of
freedom from her? Were all his efforts to be in vain, and was he too,
to fall a victim to that iron hand? In a moment more the flames would
reach their objective. With a final struggle he relapsed once more into
oblivion, as the flames crackled and the smoke rose smotheringly about
him.
Suddenly the door banged back on its hinges and in the draft clouds of
smoke eddied and whirled.
"Grant!" It was Stewart's voice. The anxious shout startled Grant into
consciousness. He reached out a hand and caught at Stewart's coat.
Slipping an arm under him, Stewart staggered out into the cool, fresh
air with Grant a dead weight, impeding every moment of their precious
progress, the progress that must take them away from that creeping
tongue of flame and the dynamite.
He dragged him on and on to the edge of the woods that bordered the
lake. There he stopped, he could go no farther. As Grant slipped from
his grasp to the snow covered ground, a wild roar echoed across the
lake and back again, and seemed to split the very heavens. Stewart saw
a cloud of smoke and flame shoot up from the lighthouse. The ground
about him shook with the blast and great cracks ran crazily out into
the ice of the lake. Where all had been solid ice a moment before a
broad expanse of black water appeared, and gliding swiftly toward it
with a speed that could not be diminished, and a direction that could
not be veered, Stewart saw the iceboat with its helpless occupant,
Stewart saw his men in the automobile a short distance behind the
iceboat. He saw the driver jam on his brakes and saw the machine
skid swiftly about in a flurry of ice and snow, just as the iceboat
disappeared over the brink of ice into the cold blackness of the waters
of the lake.
He passed a hand over his face and turned back to Grant, who was
staring up at him in bewilderment.
"What are you doing here?" Grant's voice was scarcely a murmur.
Stewart smiled and bent over him. "A girl gave me the tip--Dixie Mason.
The girl with Von Lertz, you know."
Grant sat upright and stared at him. "Dixie Mason!" He rubbed his
aching head. A wild conglomeration of ideas made his head whirl. Why
had Dixie Mason done this? Had she too been working with the Germans
for a purpose? Or had she simply allowed kindness to intervene in a
plot which otherwise would have meant his death? His aching brain
refused to solve the puzzle.
Grasping Stewart's hand he rose.
"We'd better go back," he said simply, brushing the snow from his
clothes, "Fay must be about ready to make a full confession."
They walked to the bank of the lake and waited for the return of the
operatives in the automobile.
At the club they found Fay ready to make his confession. He had
signalled his willingness to do so.
"I was given 20,000 marks to come to America," he said, "I was told
to get in communication with German officials here--but they would
not have anything to do with me. That is all I can tell you regarding
them----"
He stopped. The memory of another day had come to him--a room in
an office building in lower New York, in Wall Street. The clamor of
traffic and shouts of drivers echoing into a still room. Two men
before him, hard, cunning, calculating. And the voice of one suavely
suggesting:
"Our positions demand that we must not be known as the directors of any
movement of espionage against the United States--if your plan should
fail and you should be arrested, we would of course be compelled to
repudiate you. Like-wise it would be your duty to say that you had
tried to see us but that we had denied you an interview."
His plot had failed, and Fay, true to the in-born traditions of his
nationality, was shielding those above him. But even as he realized
that the end of his plotting was at hand, he knew that somehow,
somewhere his work would be taken up. That the work of the German
Government in undermining the peace of this nation would not stop
with his failure, that its paid agents would take up the plotting and
scheming and destruction where he had given it up.
Fay told them what they already knew, the story of the bomb he had
invented, the bomb which was to stop all shipping and which was
eventually to be used to blow up the harbor of New York. He told them
of his exploits in the trenches, of the fame he had earned for bombing
expeditions successfully concluded, of the iron cross that should have
been his but had gone to one higher in command, but no other word
regarding those others in this country who were backing him.
While the members of the Criminology Club were listening to Fay's
confession, two men sat in a room of the Imperial German Embassy at
Washington--Count Johann von Bernstorff and one other. Before them was
a table littered with blue prints. That the plan they were discussing
had been brought to a high degree of practicability, the blue prints
bore evidence. Fay, the pawn in the hands of those higher up, was
forgotten, his effort overshadowed by a plan the magnitude of which was
beyond his wildest dreams. Bernstorff laid a clenched fist heavily on
the table.
"It will be the greatest achievement Imperial Germany has yet brought
about in America," he said, and his visitor smiled.
"And it will make America our unwilling ally."