Espionage, German -- United States -- Fiction; Germans -- United States -- Fiction; Spy stories
"One matter which you will have to arrange yourself," said Von
Papen immediately plunging into the matter which was engrossing the
attention of all. "With Von Bopp making the arrangements for the actual
explosions and fires with the exception of the one at Bethlehem, I want
you to devote your time to the propaganda work. Have a correspondent
near each place at the time the event occurs, prepared to exaggerate
everything in connection with it. The story may contain suggestions
of the existence of a league of British and French born workingmen
who have been active in the neighborhood which had for its object the
stoppage of manufacture of supplies for the Allies in order to prevent
a war which is forcing the British and French workmen into the army,
training women for their positions, doing everything to disrupt labor
while providing capital with the means of intrenching itself. Arrange,
if possible, to have German reservists in the vanguard of those who
protect the property which remains. In each story emphasize the number
of German reservists in this country. You understand the object?"
Von Lertz shook his head hopelessly.
"It is for this reason," continued Von Papen. "At the time when America
is appreciating its own helplessness, because of inability to prevent
property destruction with the attendant loss of life, such stories will
drive home the fact that Germany already has a trained army in this
country which outnumbers the entire regular army of the United States.
We have tried to persuade America, tried to make them see the justice
of our cause, and failed. Now we will browbeat them into remaining
neutral.
"Stephan and Verbecht will remain under your orders. Von Igel will
remain with me. Now get out, and get busy. I will see you here tomorrow
morning before my steamer sails."
Von Papen turned into his private office to begin the packing of all
documents, which, if they fell into the hands of the Secret Service,
would reveal the full extent of the complicity of the Imperial German
Government itself in the many outrages which had been committed in
America. Madam Stephan, Baroness Verbecht and Heinric von Lertz, left
the office together to separate when the street was reached, the two
women to return to their own apartments and Von Lertz to attend to some
business which had suddenly become urgent since Von Papen would expect
a report upon it on the morrow.
Before proceeding on it, however, Von Lertz stepped to a telephone, to
speak to Dixie Mason, asking to be excused from a luncheon engagement
with her. He did not know how long the business he had in hand would
take and stood in too wholesome fear of the departing military attache
of the Imperial German Government to neglect it for pleasure.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account