Evening Republican, Volume 15, Number 304, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 27 December 1911 — Page 3

THE DEATH IN THE DIRIGIBLE

AN ADVENTURE OF PETER CREWE--THE MAN WITH THE CAMERA EYER*

By HAROLD CARTER

(OiwnlsbUHibT w. e. Chapman. ta (ha United Stataa sad Ora* Britain

When I look Into the remarkable detective records of my friend, Peter Crewe, I am struck chiefly by the simplicity of the crimes which he discovered or frustrated. I mentioned this to him once, and he responded: “Simplicity, Langton, if I' may use * metaphor, is the keystone of the arch of successful crime. We have the upward curve—the plot; the downward curve —Its accomplishment. Unless the whole be bound with that simplicity of design which ensures success, the plot must fail." Most illustrative of this, I think,' was Crewe’s detection of the diabolical plan of the French doctor which resulted in the death of four men and thp destruction of two German government balloons. The German government, there was no doubt, had at last perfected a dirigible balloon whose valne as a war weapon was Incalculable. Whether the French government was privy or not to the murderous acts of Dr. Fenelon cannot be known for certain. He may have been a self-inspired patriot. There is no doubt, however, that his intention was to intimidate the German government into abandoning this type of balloon which had been constructed at the cost of so much labor and enterprise.

Tou all remember the fate of the Kalserln 11. and her successor, the Kaiserin 111. How each ended In a similar manner. Each, after remaining in the air for forty-eight hours or so, and after hovering immediately over the French defensive works upon the boundary, collapsed while at ah altitude of perhaps eight hundred feet, dashing its two occupants to the ground, and instantaneously killing them. The balloon, in either case, remained«*only as a thing of shreds and patohes of silk, and a tangle of wickerwork. Crewe and I, who were both interested in aeronautics, had been present at the start of each balloon from Hamburg. There we made the acquaintance of Dr. Fenelon. Despite his French name and acceht, he had Ingratiated himself into the confidence of the German war staff as an inhabitant of Alsace-Lorraine—as one of those French-bom citizens who had elected to throw in their fortunes with the German nation after that province was wrested from Napoleon. He had been a child when the war ended; he was now a man of between forty and fifty years, a doctor in the new aeronautical division of the German army, and an avowed hater of France. His task it was to attend the starting of the balloonists, to test their hearts and lungs before they ventured into the upper air; he- had free acoess to the balloon, which was held captive within the military reservation. Crewe and I bad permits to enter, for these were accorded freely to aiUritb. satisfactory references. The secret lay in the manufacture and none could ascertain It from an external inspection of the great globe. It was while the third balloon was preparing to start, after the destruction of the two others, that Crewe resolved to ascertain, if possible, the cause of the disasters. "You are courageous." he said to Lieutenant Von Kelter, “to risk your Hfe after your predecessors have perished." “It's part of my Job,” Von Kelter answered, with a fatalistic shrug of his shoulders. “If I die—well ” ‘Tou do not believe in the rumors of foul play?” I asked. "Impossible.”'Von Kelter answered. "However, this time I shall make the ascent unaccompanied, so that treachery will be impossible." "The. balloon might be tampered with before you start.” "Hardly. None but our officers can approach the tent in which it Is moored. Then, before ascending, I shall test the pull-cord and all the apparatus." "And yet,” said Crewe, “your compatriots were found dead in the shreds of their balloons, and they, too, had confidence. Now let me ask you a question. To what do you ascribe the fact that their bodies were found drenched with water?" “Rain—or dew,” said the lieutenant. “There had been no rajp. and dew could never have soaked their bodies to the skin and drenched their hair.” "It Is Immaterial" Von Kelter answered. T lhall not die, for I have tested the balloon thoroughly and have complete confidence In It." . This conversation took place upon the morning of that on which the ascent was to be made. Almost immediately afterward the tent was stripped from the balloon and the huge inflated sphere could be seen staying above the ropes which fastened It to earth. Sphere-shaped, instead of cigar-shaped, the steering apparatus was hidden within; It looked like a balloon of an old-fashioned type, such as has been In use during the past hundred years. It rose by the aid of hydrogen gas; yet, ia some mysterious way. the builder had made it ! completely responsive to Its driver’s jmako thTth^^T

process proved lengthy. Crewe, who by some process known to himself alone, had obtained leave for us both to be present, watched the doctor intently. " “I dojubt—l fear." stammered the doctor* “your condition does not wholly warrant your ascending. There is no organic derangement, but the heart contractions are a little feeble. At a high altitude—" He broke off, hesitating. • • “Have you ever inhaled oxygen, Herr Lieutenant?” he asked. “Once, when I had pneumonia, to ease the lungs.” , “I would counsel you to let me place a smhll tank in the -basket,” the doctor said. “Then if, when at a height, you And the rarity of the air oppressive, you can take a raw breaths from the inhaler." "Very well,” said the lieutenant, indifferently. The doctor summoned his assistant, and they placed a small tank in among the thermometers, hygrometers and other Instruments for gauging the atmospherical conditions. And at that moment I saw Crewe’s face light up and knew that he had solved the mystery, for I had seen that expression often, and it never failed to be productive. The lieutenant climbed into the car which rested a few feet above the level of the ground. All but one of the ropes were unfastened, and to that one a dozen soldiers clung With all their power, while the enormous gasdilated sphere swayed like an intoxicated thing striving bo leap upward and gain the security of the skies. Meanwhile Crewe had gone hastily toward the chief of the aeronautical staff, who was standing by, and conferred hurriedly with him. What he said I do not know; his arguments must indeed have been cogent, and probably backed by some authority unknown to me, for just as the men were about to cast off the rope I saw General von Stimm wave his hand toward the lieutenant and shout to him to descend. The lieutenant climbed hastily out of the wickerwork basket; at the same time somebody—Crewe, as I discovered afterward, but in the confusion be was unnoticed —shouted to the men to release the rope. Instantly the balloon shot up into the skies, leaving the lieutenant standing, mortified, upon the ground, watching its upward flight. This contretemps sent the general into a furious pasßion. The balloon was as good, as lost; its course bad taken it out toward the North sea, with little hope of its recovery. He Issued an order to his adjutant and, a moment or two afterward, while I still stared round to discover my companion, I found myself under arrest. I was conveyed to the general’s headquarters, along with Crewe, who had been apprehended in another section of the Inclosure as he was trying to leave. Ten minutes later we were haled into his presence. “Who the devil are you?" he shouted roughly, in guttural English. “Unless you can offer a suitable explanation you shall both be placed under arrest as spies. You have spoiled the Kaiserin IV.—the devil take it, the third balloon to go!” He gnashed his teeth in mortification. At his side stood the lieutenant, his face pallid, his brow oovered with sweat. “General,” said Crewe ' quietly, “when I was a younger man I spent some months in Germany.” ‘Well, what the devil has that to do with me?” "May I speak to you privately?" asked Crewe. “It concerns a beer garden—a youthful officer whose sword was stolen—” The general became paler than the lieutenant. “Gentlemen, you may leave me,” he said; and, saluting, the lieutenant and the orderly departed. "Now, general,” said Crewe bflskly, "if I alluded to an unfortunate incident in your early career, which I wit-' nessed when you were a subaltern, it was not for the purpose of seeking Immunity through my knowledge of it. It was necessary, ip your own interest, that I should gain your ear. I gave the order which resulted in the releasing of the balloon.- For, if I had not done so, the lieutenant's life would have been" sacrificed. So surely as that balloon comes down on land it will come down in fragments, and drenched with water.” “Why?" asked the astonished general. “Because you have a traitor upon the staff of your division, and his name is Fenelon. It is he who destroyed the two dirigibles that preceded this and was the cause of the death of four officers." “Your proofs?" asked the general In a strained voice. [ “They will be found when the balloon comes to earth —an event which has probably occurred already, owing to atmospherical conditions, in which event It will be found before nightfall. Let me ask you a question. What were the contents at the last balloon that was sent up?"“Identical with those at the firs*,"

the general answered. “A barometer, two thermometers, a hygrometer, field equipment of a private nature.". ' “And a tank of oxygen in case the balloonist suffered from the offsets of the Tariffed ail)?" “I believe so. What baa that to do with Itr "o - p “First, general, let me entreat you to plane Dr. Fenelon under arrest immediately.” ‘ ' The general struck a bell upon the table. Two orderlies came in. “Take these men.” he said, “and confine them In the guard houpe. Tomorrow they will be arraigned before a military court as sides.” “You are mad, general.” cried Crewe angrily. “I tried to save you—” “You tried to intimidate me, sir,” shouted the general, “and to exculpate yourselves by maligning the honor of a brave officer. Take them away Immediately.” We were hauled off lgnomlnlously across the officers’ quarters in the direction of the guard house, while General von Stimm followed us to the door and stood upon the threshold, watching us sourly.- As our captors led us acros& the quadrangle of green I noticed- a commotion in a further corner of the square; then an officer came hurrying along, bearing a news- 1 paper In bis band. He passed us, and I read the staring headline: “DESTRUCTION OF THE GREAT DIRIGIBLE.” Crewe had seen it as well. He smiled grimly. “If only they had arrested Fenelen,” he muttered. “Why, there be goes, Langton.’’ _ Surely enough the Alsatian doctor came strutting alotfg the path, dressed in fhll regimentals. He saw us from afar and, turning, came toward us, halting close at hand. “Ha, the spies!” he said viciously. “You will find It goes hard with, you, for we do not love spies in Germany.” “You are lying,” said Crewe, and, breaking from his captor, he struck the doctor upon his face with his open band. Instantly the latter drew his sword ahd rushed at the aggressor. Crewe seized the point of the blade the moment that it left the scabbard and, with » powerful wrench, snapped it in two and threw the pieces on the ground. I saw blood follow them from his wounded hands. As for tbe orderly, he stood as If petrified. From every quarter officers came running up. The doctor, overwhelmed by which meant, according to the German code, dismissal from the service, remained with hanging head upon the gravel path.

“Doctor, you must consider yourself under arrest,” said the adjutant, coming up to him and taking him by the arm. "As for these fellows —” He looked as if he were about to run us through. His fingers twitched upon the hilt of his sword. Then he issued a brief command and the orderlies seized us by the arms and forced us over the quadrangle into the guard house. Ttll go hard with us unless yon can prove your case, Crewe,” I said later. “But I can,” he said confidently. "I snapped his sword, Langtoa, not only In self-defense, but that he might be detained in barracks. We must not let that murderer escape. If he could have resisted the temptation to taunt us he would doubtless be on his way to the frontier, for he knew that he was discovered.” He went to the door. "Orderly,” he called, "I wish to send a note to the general.” He scribbled a few words on a sheet of paper and handed it to the man with a gold piece. The orderly took both In silence and turned away. “What did you write, Crewe?” I asked. "Why, very little, Langton,” he answered. ‘Ton have frequently been pleased to comment upon my facultyfor remembering every face *Ahat I have ever seen during my lifetime. Now the fact la that, when I was in Germany many years ago, I saw General von Stimm four times, twice under discreditable circumstances. This is a little reminder, stronger than the last. It will bring him." v It did. Half an hour liter we were again in the general's presence. His face was white with agitation and he wiped his damp brow pervously. “How much do you want?” he asked Crewe bluntly. • • "General,” said Crewe, "once before you misunderstood my offer and, but for a lucky circumstance, a murderer would have continued to disgrace the German uniform. I want no money. I want to punish him and save the army's honor. The balloon has been found. Where was it found?” “At Blumdahl,” he answered. “It will not be touched or moved for twenty-four hours?” "Not for two days. Soldiers are guarding the plaoe where it fell.” "It was destroyed?^ ■ The general nodded. "Take us there immediately. And let a military court be ready to convene the moment that yon return, for Dr. Fenelon will have to stand his trial far murder." “When do you wish to start?" "Within the hour,” Crewe answered. "Gentlemen,” said the general, ‘1 do not know who the devil you are, or why you have come here, but it shall be as you request. You are freed from arrest I will drive with you to the railroad-station and thence accompany you to the locality.” Blumdahl was a Small village some five and eighty mites distant from Hamburg. A special train was requisitioned, and at eight o’clock that evening we three disembarked at the railroed station. It was not yet dark, and when we had crossed tbs ■treat In the direction of open eons-

"Take these men and confine them in the guard house."

try we saw a large crowd gathered around the remnants of the balloon. A quarter of a mile’s walk brought us to the spot. A company of soldiers who were on guard admitted us to the site where the dirigible lay. It bad fallen from an immense height, and with incredible velocity, for the wickerwork of the basket was smashed into Innumerable chips of wood which lay strewn over the ground, while the speed of the descent had ripped the gas bag. from Its frame covering so that hardly a particle of It remained. Within a radius of a hundred yards lay the broken remnants of the instruments. But the most singular fact was that, while the surrounding land was parched from drought, the balloon's remnants rested In a pool of water some two feet deep, which had gathered into a depression on the ground; and water had drenched the wickerwork and the pieces, of the instruments. Crewe stooped and rummaged among these last. Presently he rose; in his hand he held a piece of twisted metal, nickel or aluminum. Upon one side was stamped OXYGEN. “Do you recognize this, sir?" he asked the general. ‘lt Is merely a portion of the tank of oxygen,” Von Stimm rejoined. “Which would pass out through tubes, at the disposition of the aeronaut—is that not so?” "Certainly." "Now, If the metal were not perfectly air-tight, it Is obvious that the gas would speedily leak out and dissipate itself in the atmosphere. Am I correct, general?” ‘1 believe that Is correct Obviously an oxygen tank must be entirely air-tight” “Then see these,” said Crewe, holding up the fragments for Von Stimm's closer Inspection. Along the edge of the metal were drilled Innumerable tiny holes, such as a pin’s point might have made. "Quite large enough for a leakage,” said Crewe. "Especially today/ when the sun’s rays have been strongly actinic. In cloudy weather, when there was a considerable vapor pressure in the atmosphere, it might have taken two days, as with the last balloons, before the explosion.” 'Tou mean, ■it, that the oxygen was designed to escape? Bnt suppose that were so. Is oxygen inflammable?" I was as perplexed as the general. Crewe placed the metal in bis hands. "That will he vital evidence,” he said. "General, suppose that oxygen does leak Into an atmosphere surcharged with escaping hydrogen? You know the hydrogen will not remain even in the silk bag more than a limited time. Now, bring oxygen and hydrogen together in the right proportion; suppose the proportions haW been carefully calculated, so thitt eventually they Are obtained. Buppose we have . the formula H2O. That signifies —V "Water.” "Obviously. It was only necessary, therefore, for Fenelon to send np the balloon with the hydrogen gas-bag and the oxygen tank, and to calculate the leakage from either so closely that eventually they would ignite. What happens? The gases rash together with a thunderclap, combine into water, and the sphere Calls to

the ground, drenched in the flnid. General, with the help of this evl--dence we shall send Dr. Fenelon to the gallows.” And so the sequel proved.

POLO IS RICH MAN’S GAME

Sport Descended From Persians of . Tenth Century to British Army Officers and Then to U. 8. —■■ • For obvious reasons polo, although introduced much earlier into this country from abroad, has attracted far less popular Interest than golf. Like cricket, another exotic game, for years it has had a firm hold in a number of localities throughout the United States, bnt necessarily the cost of keeping strings of ponies and providing good grounds makes it a rich man's sport That is a drawback which its*'great advantages as a high teAt of skill are fiever likely to overcome even among horse-loving people. Yet merely as tt spectacle, from which standpoint most persons past their youth regard outdoor sports, polo is one of the greatest of games. It is easy to follow and is exciting to watch. The international match oh the Meadow Brook club grounds nature ally excited unusual enthusiasm because the teams were made up of the crack players of the United States and England. Nevertheless, the true measure of the affection in which any sport is held by the every day public is the extent to which it has played the game. Americans cling to baseball as Eng lishmen do to cricket because it was their boyhood game. Polo may occupy one of the most honorable positions in the history of athletic sports, descending as it does from the Persians of the tenth century to the British merchants and army officers in India, and through them to England and the United States in the last forty years, but it remains an alien game whose claim is on the eye and not on the heart of the great American public.

Shriveling of the Soul.

Bome time ago, in San Francisco, Rev. Charles E. Jefferson, pastor of the Broadway Tabernacle of New York city, In an address on immortality, before an assemblage of Stanford students and professors of the unlvesity, put forth the following novel suggestion: “The "tragic story of the shriveling and disappearance of unused organs is one of the most thrilling chapters which science has writetn. Faculties neglected become the prey of the forces of death. Powers subject to no strain disappear. It may be that the organ of belief, like other organs, la under the sovereignty of this general law, and that only he who cultivates a belief in immortality is granted permission to retain it"

Not a Riot

"What’s the trouble?” asked the foreigner. “Do you have bread riots herb, also?" "No," replied the chairman of the reception committee, "that isq*t .a mob. Those are citlsens trying to see the baseball eoores on a bulletin board.'

RIGHTS OF RUSSIAN WOMAN

Effort Being Made to Increase Amount of Estate They. Can Inherit— . Lands Confiscated by Czar. Little by little Russian law la ac* knowledglng the claims of women. Though the peasants are as obstinately against them as ever, the pro-' fessional classes are getting thing* done. The Duma has under its consideration a private bill for the regulation of women’s inheritance laws. Up till now women who have brothers living can inherit only one-fourteenth part of their parents’ real estate and oneeighth of their personal Half-sisters and girl cousins have no rights at all so long as their brothers are living. Two years ago twenty-three members Introduced a bill to give to wom-< en the same righto of inheritance as their brothers. Though they «*».» do so In the case of a will being made, the testators will now be allowed to leave their daughters more than one-fourteenth or one-eighth part, on condition that their shares do not exceed the brothers' or mother's. When the hill becomes law It will make th tings far better for Russian women, but its opponents fear It will cause family estates to be broken np In a couple of generations. The law of entail will also be altered, so that heirs can sell estates which hitherto 1 have been unsalable. In Russia no father can efitflKnP»> Inherit his children. The law Invariably overrales a will whete this has been attempted. A parent must leave his offspring a certain amount of property. This la a relic of the old Slavonic communal system, when every acre of land was looked upon as lent to a man for his lifetime rather than given to him. So the only gay. in which e man or woman dan be deprived of inheritance is by imperial ukase of confiscation, when the estate goes to the czar. The imperial family has obtained positively thousands of miles of forest and arable land In this way, to say nothing of mines. Court favorites and successful generals sometimes got gifts from this inexhaustible store* and grand dukes who have incurred the imperial displeasure by marrying commoners not Infrequently lose their estates by confiscation.—American Woman’s Review.

What's In a Name?

John Wanamaker, the greet Wbdr York and Philadelphia merchant, who la generally weighed down by the also of hla bank roll, prepared to board a suburban street car near Philadelphia ae day, when he discovered that. In me way, he bad forgotten his purse. He didn’t even have car fare In hla pocket Stepping into a Uttle drug store near-by, be asked the proprietor: • : “Would you be kind enough to lend me a quarter? I find that I haven’t a cent with me ” . ... * “Well. I don’t know why I should—" began the druggist ' ’ “Oh, ni send It back to you to night 1 ’ cut in Mr. Wanamaker. “Here’s my card.” Then the druggist forced a dollar on him.—Popular Magaalae.