Evening Star Newspaper, July 15, 1923, Page 74

Another Gray Ghost Story: IMMY Felham opened the en- velope on which was engraved tho royal crest_of Malthuria. A grin of amusement was su- perseded by a frown as he read the invitation. “Bad news!" asked Dickenson, his ‘alet, secretary and man of all work. Dickenson was emphatically not a servant. Having, in his former ca- pacity §s Maine gulde, drunk from the same cup and slept beneath the same blankets as his employer, and having, furthermore, that decent feel- ing of equality that is inherent In state of Maine men, he neither look- ©d upon himself as a menial nor per- mitted 2any one else to do so. His manner toward Jimmy Pelham, once an idling millionaire, but now the consulting partger in the Tryon De- tective Agency, was that of an ad- miring friends Pelham tofised the letter to the ex- guid, “8lim,” he sald, quissically, “many and many a time, permitting your snobbishness to get the better of you—-"" “Huh! Me a snob! Why, if & king asked me to kiss his hand I'd make him kiss my fist,” declared Slim. “Proving my case," chuckled Pel- ham. “You'd hit & king to brag about it. Well, as I was saying when you interrupted me, for many years you have shown & womanish curiosity as 1o the doings, the manners and the appearance of what are vulgarly known as arigtocrats. Now, If you wish to meet & real scion of royalty in his rather unattractive flesh, here's vour chance. I will lend you evening clothes; I will even tax myself to the extent of providing a limousine to convey you to the party given by his royal highness Prince Ladislaus of Malthuria." ) e ICKENSON'S eyes gleamed. He read the invitation, signed by an equerry, inviting Mr. James Pelham to attend a dinner dance at the new ¢afe Ravasan on the following night. “But they won't let me in. I aln't you," protested Dickenson. “Merely show the card of admis- ston; no one will question you; it will be too big an affalr” said Pelham. “Suppose they find out I ain't a real guest?” argued Dickenson. “In that case a couple of oily Mal- thurians will throw you out on your neck,” grinned his employer. Dickenson clenched two knotted fists. 1l be doin' a little throwin’ myself about that time.” -“Ordinarily, Slim, But for Pelham laughed I'd not turn over an invitation. his highness is mnot a person whom I care particularly.” “How'd you happen to know him?" asked Dickenson “Met him at a club in Paris. He's royal, all right, but he. has no king- dom. After the wur Malthuria be came a republic. They kicked out the prince’s father, who shortly died. The prince, when I knew him, had borrowed from every money-lender in Europe, and I heard that he wound up by being barred from decent houses and clubs. Forgot to pay his| gambling debts.” “Pretty much of a skunk, hey commented Dickensom, - “Whera does he get the dough to give parties like this?" Pelham shrugged. “Search me Where did Jake Ravasan get the cap- ital to finance a Park avenue cafe?” “Who's he?" asked Dickenson, “Besides being the ostensible pro- prietor of the Cafe Ravasan, he's one of the filthiest crooks unhung. I've heard Jerry Tyron mention him. He was a witness in that big gambling- murder case & dozen Years ago.” “And soclety goes to a party glven by & booted-out pringe in & cafe run by an ex-crook,” said Dickenson eyn- ically. Pelham laughed. “Ravasan isn't an ex-crook, either. From what Jerry Tryon told me, Ravasan has been about a yard ahead of the police all his life. Where he got the capita] to start thismew venture nobody knows. His entertalners, even if you discount thelr press agents, must cost twelve or fifteen hundred a week.™ the Gray Ghost. He felt himself an ally of the detective. Now, as he threw open the door of | the car, he whispered hoarsely to Pelham: “I been followed here to- night, bo: “Are you sure?’ asked Pelham. “Absolutely,” replied the chauffeur. | “They're in a car that went by when | I stopped here. Probably waiting | aréund the corner.” Dickenson's lean, gaunt face col- ored angrily. “Looka here, Mr. Pel- ham,” he snapped. “You been takin' too many chances. I don't think I ought to leave you." Pelham slapped him on the back. “Nonsense, Slim! It's easy to hire cold-blooded murderers, but it's not easy to hire discreet ones, who will refuse to turn state's evidence when the electrie chair confronts them. When the Gray Ghost tries to get me it will be at a time when thers will seem to him no danger of his emis- saries being captured. You needn't worry. Have a good tim He chuckled as he walked off. Nevertheless, despite his mirth, he was whtchful, wondering at, the esplonage maintained upon him. Of course so long as Pelham lived the Gray Ghost must know that there was danger that he would be appre- hended. But inasmuch &8 he had made no effort thus far, through his followers, to kill Pelham, save at & time when Pelham was actively engaged In recovering loot destined for the Gray Ghost's coffers, Pelham could see no reason for alarm now. Nevertheless he carried his right hand. fn his coat pocket; the snug way in which the butt of his auto- matic pistol fitted into his palm was a mora potent argument than all his theories as to the motives actuating the Gray Ghost. He was * K K K I started for his club. consclous, before he had walked two blocks, that he was being fol- lowed. Once inside he telephoned the of- fices of the Tryon Agency and talked with Jerry. “The Gray Ghost is taking an ex- ceeding Interest in me tonight, Jerry,” he sald. “My car was fol- lowed from the garage and a couple of men on.foot followed me here. I'm at the club,” he explained. “I'd have tried to land them, but knew that I couldn't do it alone. But why not send & few men up here to nose around 7" “I'll do that little thing,” sald Jerry. What's the idea” “You can search me, ha Well, take care of yourself,” said Jerry. Into his gruff tones crept ear- nestness that was evidence of his affection for his younger coadjutor. It was a reciprocated regard. Be- tween these two men, of dlifferent ages, tmaditions and temperaments, existed a devotion based on mutual respect and liking. Knowing that he could be of no agsistance to the operatives who would be rushed up to the club by Tryon, and who would endeavor to find out the identity and residence of the men who were shadowing Pelham tonight, the object of the Gray Ghost's attentlons devoted himself to an excellent dinner and later to a serles of rubbers of bridge. It was 11 o'clock when Pelham descend- ed the stoop of the old-fashioned buflaing which housed his favorite club, and was accosted by a man whom he instantly recognized as Graham, one of Tryon's most trusted employes. “Can't locate any’ one that seems suspiclous, Mr. Pelham,” sald Gra- ham. “Connolly and I got up here within tén minutes after Mr. Tryon gave us the word. But every one that's passed hers toright seemed to have legitimate business. It thers were any “‘shallows,' “elther Connolly or I would have tumbled.” “I'll bet you would,” said Pelham, his volce flatteying. He had a way of being generous with praise. “It you don't mind, I'll walk along with you, just for luck,” sald Gra- replied Pél- He smiled. “Well, it every one in New York had to explain where he got it, nobody would dare to admit that he had it. Go to vour party, Silim. Shake the royal hand of his royal highness, and step on Ravasan's toes if you have the chance. “I'll do all those things, only if the prince gives me an ugly look and shys to his friends to toss me out, I'll bust mome one on the way,” sald Dickenson. ok ok x IMMY PELHAM came of an old New York family. Behind him was a tradition that included not merely money but culture. He resented with all his aristocratio soul the intrusion int othe circles of the elect the fat profiteeys and thelr red-knuckled wiyes. That his own present profes- slon was perhaps not one honored by all men did not affect his attitude to- ward the parvenu. He was waging warfare against the greatest crook of the day—the Gray Ghost—and was rendering & service to society. He considered his profession honorable and worthy of & gentleman. Although Pelham had not been present when scandal broke about «the royal head of the prince, the claimant to Malthuria’s throne knew that Jimmy Pelham must bs cogniz- ant of the hushed-up opprobrium. It was an impertinence of Ladislays, then, to invite Jimmy Pelham to the party. And now that one came to con- sider the matter, Prince Ladislaus had added gaucheris to impertinence. Pelham's invitation seemed llke an after-thought, issued only a day bes fore the event was to take place. He shrugged. What difference did 1t make? He wasn't going, ‘anyway. And on the following evening he chuckled as he sted Dickenson with his tle. “Enjoy yourself, Slim,” he exhorted. “And don’t forget the things that you have my permission to do," : The rx-guide chuckled. *I won't* he promised. "I only hope I get'a chance. If'the folks down in Juno, Me., could read in the paper ‘that 1 busted & printe ‘a couple on the jaw they’d send me to the legislature.” * X W ¥ HAM, himself dressed in a din- ner suit beneath his overcoat, ace companied the resplendent Dickenson downstairs to the waiting limousine. Of late It happened that the garage, from which he frequently rented a machine, had sent him thé same car and the same driver on many differ- ent occasions. The chauffeur knew Pelham’s reputation and was thrilled at driving the one man who had been able to meet, with at’least a meas- ure of ‘success, the* machinations- of' < £ oy ‘apartment without incident. | Dickens: ham. onnolly will trall us a block behind.” But they all reached Pelham's Pelham laughed. “Maybe I'm get- ting nerves,” he suggested. H “If you were,* said Graham, ‘“no- body'd blame you. But I don't think you are." PELHAM climbed the stoop, passed through the small lobby of the remodeled residence in which was his apartment, and mounted the flight of stairs to his rooms on the second floor. He opened the door, stepped through, placed his hat and coat upon a hook In & ocloset off the tiny entrance hall and walked into his 1iving room, to pause abruptly on the threshold. For s moment he thought that , Whom he knew to have been a “testotaler” all his life, had vielded to the seductions and blan- ‘dishments of Prince Ladislaus' party. Fon, sprawied upon a oouch, his dreas coat lying half upon a chair and half upon the floor, and the silk hat, which he had borrowed from Pelham, resting upon its dented crown on & rug, Dickenson certainly looked the part of the drunken rev- eler, even to the wet towel about his forehead. The grin which he assayed at sight of his employer was sickly. “I got mine, Mr, Pelham,” he sald sheep- shly. His tones were olear, unthickened by liquor. But Pelham thought of another explanation, and at the thought he grinned. “Well, did Mal- thuria win over America In & round™ he asked. “Slim, you amaze me. I didn't dream that you'd take me se- riously.” Slim'a chéeks grew redder still. “¥ou got me all wrong, Mr. Pelham. The Gray Ghost raided the party."” Pelham stared at Dickenson. Then he rose, walked into the next room, and telephoned Jerry Tryon. He re- turned- to Dickenson, dut refused to lst the man talk until, breathiess and ex. cited, Jerry Tryon arrived. Then Dioke enson talked. © “I got in all right,”” he said. “A guy In uniform asked my name, and I told him—gave him.my own name; so many people there that they never checked up, I guess—and he led me up to Hls Boyal Nibs. And I want to say that for real class give me & Tammany alder- medl Why, if this Prince Ladislaus aldn’t have & title, he'd be lucky to get & job selling neckties.” He:rubded & hand across his fore= fead,: dinarranging the-wetatowsl that 2 * x k% T HE SUNDAY STAR, WASHINGTON, D. ‘The Robbery at the Cafe Ravasa 0, JULY 15, 1923—PART 5. “AND THEN,” SLIM WENT ON, “HE LIFTS THE GUN AND SOAKS ME OVER THE HEAD.” covered it, and affording Pelham and Tryon a view of a great discolored lump over his right temple. Pelham leaned eagerly forward. “‘Better let us do something for that bruise, Slim,” he suggested. “Aln’t nothing anybody can do,” r plied Slim. “Only way to make it well is for me to get a crack at the guy that done 1t.”* His expression was suddenly ferocious. Slim Wickenson was a good friend; he was also a bad enemy. ““Well,” he resumed, “‘the party looked kind of stit until about eight men in uniform begen elrculating around the room with trays and glasses. After the booze bad got everybody all meller, dinner was announced. I'd sort of got talking with some folks and breezed in the dinner with them. I'll say this for Ravasan; he has a good cook.” He smacked his lips reminiscently. * % % (OWARD the end of the alnner there was singing and dancing and juggling; a regular vaudevills show. Well, just as the dinner ended, and the folks was all gettin' ready to dance, there's a commotion at the door of the dining room. Ravasan appears, arguin’ with a couple of gents. Behind them I can see half a dozen more. Hard-lookin’ customers too. “Everybody is watchin' Ravasan—I knew him becauss I'd heard a walter call him by name—when suddenly he marches down the room to the Prince. He whispers to him & minute, and then the Prince lifts his hand and speaks. “He grins and &hrugs and says that he is sorry that In this free country it seems that & gentleman can't give a little entertainment to his friends with- out the Government’s buttin’ in. There's a bunch of prohibition enforcement officers at the door, and they say that they've got to search everybody. Even the ladies, the Prince explains. And with that I noticed that behind the group of men in the doorway are two women. “Well, I'll get to it. With the ladies, Soma of them almost hysterical, herded Into an adjoining room, and with us men, all of us ugly and fightin' mad, left in the main dining room, the doors are locked. And then, suddenly, we all get wise. For the first thing these probibltion officers do is belt = walter one on the jaw, and he takes a nice qulet #nooze under the table. Then these here enforcement officers flash a flod: of guns.” He shrugged. “What's the use of ‘goin' on any further? You can guess the rest. Pocketbooks, watches, everything; they clean us right. Screams come from the next room, and in about ten minutes the women gangsters came through the doorway with sacks full of plunder.* They locked the door on the ladies, but we could hear them still screaming. “Well, there was nothing we could do. The bandits, men and women both, backed to the door and made their get-a-away. Ten minutes later the cops had arrived; they kept us an hour or 8o, telling all about the raid and finally let us go. I came straight home.” “But how about your forehead? de- manded Pelham. “Did you try to put up a battle?” * * ok { ICKENSON colored. m game enough, boss,” ho said. “But I'm | not crasy. That bunch, men and| women both, were ready to kill. They | aidn’t get anything from me, except abaut eight dollars and a gold-plated watch worth about fifteen more." “ Then how dld you get the bruise?” asked Jerry Tyron. “That's the important thing.” re- plied Dickenson. “As I handed over my wallet the guy that took it gave me a nasty look. Says he: Your boss dldn’t come eh? Well, take this home and show it to him.’ > “And with that, before I could dodge, he 1ifts the gun that he's been stickin’ in my stomach, and soaks me over the head.” Quletly, Pelham remarked: “That seems to put it up to the Gray Ghost, Jerry.” Tryon's heavy brows drew closer together as he frowned. ‘A_darned lucky thing you stayed away. They'd have killed you, Mr. Pelham.” “That's what I think,” cried Dick- enson. “I been tellin’ him that he's crazy goin’' around alone! Here they follow him— Pelham sat bolt upright; his gray eyes grew intent. ‘Jerry, listen to me. I've been followed befors, but only when actually working on a spe. cifia oase. Tonight is the first time that I've been followed when the Gray Ghost was about to commit & ertme! Wyt “You've got me,” replied Tryonm, clared Pelham. “The Gray Ghost thought that I might stumble upon his plans; he wanted to know whers. I was and what I was doing." “But how would you stumble on his plans? “'We never have,” retorted Try- on. 'erhape he wanted me to etumble Never mind about theories now, Jerry. 1 don't want you to laugh &t me if 'm wrong. Do you know any- one in the Prefecture's office In Parls?" Tryon stared at him. Pelham smiled. smile. “It's a Gray Ghost stunt, You'll concede that?” “Surest thing,” agreed Tryom. “Well then, whom do you know In the Parts police force?” “I know Jean Derlat very well in- desd,” Tryon said. “The year before the war I did a bit of traveling and studied the London, Vienna, Berlin, and Paris police departments. Derla is rather high in the French depart- ment.” “Why?" It was a stern fsn't 17 *x % ¥ ELHAM looked at his watch. It's twelve o’clook,” he announced. “That means it's four In Paris. If you send a cable now, Derlat will get it the first thing in the morning. If we have luck, we'll get & reply from him by noon tomorrow.” “What'll 1 eay to him?" Tryon. “Ask him to let you know the source of any money that Prince Ladislaus may possess. Find out from his Paris bankers what checks he deposited recently.” Tryon whistled. “You mean that—-" Pelham ignored the question and Interrupted it. “This man Ravasan: get busy on him. Find out imme- diately where he got the money to finance this restaurant of his" Tryon stared at him. “Through this thick cop's skull of mine an ldea occasienally percolates, Mr. Pelham Do you know, if you're right, I'm just going to take off my hat every time T see you, and walk backward asked SNAPPED PELHAM. when I leave the room you'rs in.* Jimmy Pelham laughed loudly. *"Well, backward or frontward, it does not matter tonight, Jerry, so long aa you beat it now, and let me put our interesting invalid to bed." His royal highness Prince Ladle- laus of Malthuria frowned as he stared at his visitor. The prince was dressed for the evening. “I received you, Monsieur Pelham, becaude you were so extremely in- sistent. But I must tell you that, while I am glad to renew an old ac- quaintance, time presses th! in| T won't be over five minutes” promised Jimmy Pelham. His eyes ‘were harsh and his lips thinner than ever. . “Times have changed for both of us, your highness. When we met before, you had Drospects of some day regaining your throne. I was a man of wealth.” . The prinoe’s olive cheeks reddened. 1 still expect to be restored,” he sald folly. Well, 1 never expect to be a mil- lonaire again,” sald Jimmy Pelham. “%: wondee. Wwhich of us has more ' senuelt y / 1 2w | “You are impertinent,” said Prince willing and venal tool of the Gray | Ladislaus. He reached out his hand | Ghost!" HERE 1s law, even {n this savage | to touch a bell upon the table before I { country,” cried the prince. “I will | him. ham, “Don’t touch that bell, prince, | appeal to it to protect me from such unless you wish your servants to hear | insults.” | what I am about to tell you.” “Thoroughly admirable said Pel- { T | ham. “But permit me to relate certain THE prince forced a smile. “I will |other facts. One Ravasan, at whose | % be lentent with you, Mr. Pelham. |cafe you entertained last night, -was You speak of having lost your money: | killed this morning. It seems that in- | your misfortunes have perhaps ron-t\'tlllgmoru discovered that the same dered you {rresponaibl gentleman who financed your trip “Perhaps” sald Pelham grimly. “I | abroad aiso financed Mr. Ravasan' | would ltke your highness to listen |business venture. Accused, Mr. Rava- |carefully as I read this cablegram |ean was so incautious as to draw a which was recelved by my partner— |revolver. The detective who talked in a very famous private detective with him was prepared. In the ensu- agency, I may inform your highness | ing duel Mr. Ravasan was killed. | —this afternoon. It comes from one| "You have no proof” cried the Jean Derlat, a name not unknown to | prince, hoarsely. “Why should I not your highne Permit me. accept a loan? The flush had left the cheeks of Mal-| “That is a question to which you thurla’s claimant. Hls eyes gleamed, may give the answer in court.” and his 1ips twitched as Pelham read: | muo prince's eyes gleamed. “I am To J. Tryon, Tryon Detective Agency, royal” he sald. “Your barbarous New York: country has never recognized the' Mal- Ladislaus of Malthuria deposited at|turian republic. It still accords me his bankers four days before salling | de jure recognition. I camnot be put for New York draft from America pur- | to trial fn this country.” chased from Western and Eastern Bank | «Unfortunately, your highness at of New York for 320.000. Owes |last makes a statement that has a cer- 2,000,000 francs in Paris alone and as | tain amount of truth in it sald Pel- much in London and Madrid. Only | ham. “However, the papers, which former exalted position has saved him | have printed so much today about last from fail. Trust American police have | nights robbery, wlil be cheerfully not same leniency toward Dersons of | resdy to print as much more about royal birgh your highness' intimate relations with (Signed) JEAN DERLAT. | the Geay Ghost.” | “But this infamous!” cried the “I never saw him!" cried the princi j prince, Pelbam knew that he spoke the “Indeed it 1s," agreed Pelham. “A|truth. He had hoped that Ladisiaus, scoundrel should be granted no immu- | under” threat of exposure, would dts- nity because of his birth.” close “the whereabouts of the arch- “T will stand no more of this.” crimjnal. He knew now that thls “I am perfectly willing that this. could not happen. He rose. * K X * ; “And I am also honest.” sald Pel- is “I DON'T INSINUATE. I CHARGE!” conversation should become public. Shall we summon your servants?” Ladislaus bit at his lower lip, “What further insolence do you wish to offer?” ““That's better,” sald Pelham pleas- antly, “And, by the way, your high- ness, you might, if you wish, instruct a servant to notify whoever is expect- ing you that you will spend the night at your hotel He waited a moment. “No? You prefer to believe otherwise? Very well.” His voice became sharp. “On recelpt of this cable, inquiries were made at the Western and East- ern Bank. It was found that the draft payable to your order was purchased by & man unknown to the bankers, who brought currency with him to pay for the draft. Because of the unusual cir- cumstances, the bank officials noted him carefull: His' description an- swers to that of a person known among other noms de plume as Beagle. Mr. Beagle is a trusted asso- “I cannot speak offictally, your highness. But I do happen to know that in the present state of the world this government does not cars to seem to take sides with either polit- fcal party In any European state. Unofficially I can state that your con- nection with last night's affaly will not be printed in the newspapers if your highness sails tomorrow morn- ing for Europe.’ Prince Ladislaus stared at the de- tective. “I will go,” he said thickly. With a bow Pelham left the room. In the lobby Tryon was walting. “Well?” he asked eagerly. Pelham led the way to & walting taxl. Not untll they we: in hi apartment 4id Tryon's ally make an- swer. "Couldn’t talk for a minute, Jerry,” he sald.. “That man was born to & throne. To think that such a one would sink so low!. Well, hs's leav- ciate of & gentleman known to two gontinents &s the Gray Ghost.” The prince rose. “You dare to in- siruate—" “Sit down, my princely scoundrel” snapped Pelham. “I don't insinuate; I @hargs! I charge you-with-deing the 15 ing Amerioa tomorrow.” "Guilty!” cried Jerry. Pelham assented vigorously. Jerry Tryon filled a pipe; he-light- ed 1t and puffed untll it was drawing smoothly. ‘T baven't bothared you with questions uD-10 -DoW”-he-adlls “But I'll bust if you don't tell me." Pelham smiled quizzically, “Jerry, I didn’t get my Invitation to Ladls- laus’ party until the day before It was .to occur. That was mighty funny. I was followed the night of the party. That didn't mean much then. Later it meant that the Gray Ghost was anxious to know, In ad- wvance of the robbery, if I were to be | there.” | | “Why?" demanded Tryon. “He'd like to have me killed. And any one of his men would do it in the middle of a robbery. Also, they knew that I knew Ladislaus. If I, by any chance, suspected anyihing, the Gray Ghest wanted to know it. “And when Dickenson told me that the man who struck him had men- tioned me I knew that I had been expected. How could the Gray Ghost know the list of Ladislaus’ guests?" “Simple enough,” Jerry answered the rhetorical question. “He could bribe a servant.” * kK * §§YUITE possible,” agreed Pelham But don’t forget that my invi- tation came later than the others. Now, Ladislaus, everything consid- ered, could hardly Invite me to a perty uniess there was a reason. He By Arthur Somers Roche. auin’t intend to; then probably he happened to let some one conn: with the Gray Ghost know of his acquaintance with me. told to ask me." “That's theory.” objected Jerry. “Of course it is” agresd Pelham. “That's why T wouldn't tell you why I wanted you to wire Parls. I was atrald you'd laugh at me.” “I ain't 18ughing at you now,” said Jerry tervently. “Why, we know that, |the Gray Ghost backed Ravasan n the cafe and got Ladlslaus over here to give a party, so that he could rald it and get about a million dollars | worth of jewels.” | “Not much of a viotory, Jerry." sald | Pelham. “Do you realize that this ta the first time since the Gray reappeared that he has been able hang on to the urofits of a crim {This 1s one time he's beaten us . “Well, you can't win all ths time i sald Jerry. “We'll never have won until we'va | eaptured him,” said Pelham wearil “We'll do 1t yet,” cried Jerry “Maybe,” sald Pelham. Sometimes it seemed to him that only by & mira cle could the Gray Ghost bs pe | rently defeated. And Pelham was no miracle worker; he was & deteotive (Copyright, 1923.) 4 Then he was 7 Ghost Big Battle of the Champagne . Fought Five Years Ago BY SERGT. MARO G. PHILLIPS, Late of the 117th FEngineers, 424 United States (Rainbow) Divis HOSE of the Rainbow Division who survived the greatest of all German offensives during the world war still recall that gruelling battle before Chalons-Sur- Marne, when the 42d United States Division, under Maj. Gen. Charles T. Menoher, stemmed the tide of the German advance at Champagne, the second battle of the Marne. Today marks the anniversary of this great conflict, and in its com- memoration the veterans of the Rain- bow Division are holding thelr fifth annual convention in Indianapolis, bringing together onoe more those who are left of the old 424 in a grand reunion, under less stirring condi- tions, perhaps, but none the less in- spiring when one takes note of those veterans in attendance, among whom may be found the names of a score or more of America officers, in addition to the famous del- egation sent for this occasion from France, headed by Gen. Gouraud him- self. * ¥ % ¥ THE battie of the Champagne still iives in the memory of thoss who were there, thoss more fortunate ones who lived to see the ultimate victory. Those who rest in unmarked graves along the chalk wastes of Somme-Sulppes perhaps even now are looking down upon the dusty poppy that nods fitfully over what five years ago was an outpost or machine Sun nest where they made thelr Jast gallant stand Published below, probably for the first time In this country, from the French publication Ilustration, of July 27, 1918, appears a free transla- tion, & true story of that great allled defense. The writer, M. Gustave Babin, gives a graphic account of all that transpired upon that eventful date of July 14, 1918. The American division to which he makes graceful llusion was none other than the 42d United States Division, which bore the brunt of the attack directly before Chalons while serving with the 4th French army, under Gen. Gouraud. His account in part is aa follows: On July 15, just a week &go, the Germans launched the offensive which we had been expecting for several weeks. It was developed with the usual fury, was meticu- lously prepared, as always. against two of our armles, on & front of more than elghty kilometers, be- tween Chateau Thierry on the west and the famlous Main de Massiges on the east. This time it was the group of armies of the imperial prince—the armies of von Boehm, von Mudra and von Einem—which mads the attack. It s to the helr of the Hohenzollerns that this abrupt check to the fifth attack of the vear must be oharged At the center, in front of Rheim the offensive was limited to a dem- onstration. In reality he attempted to reduce the Montagne de Rheims and capture the unhappy oity. But to the e the Germans attacked the army of Qen. Gouraud, the affalr showed for us the light of a magnificent vie- torious defensive, one of the most characteristic as well as one of the most successful defensive battles of this formidable war. Moreover, it was there, I think, that he Intended to meke & powerful effort. The stake not less than Chalons-Sur- Marn Since the beginning of June, 1918, an offensive on a grand scale was expected on the front of the arm: As time passed many Indications an- nounced the imminence of the attack —indications that were noted. It is known that the front opposite the 4th Army and, no doubt, the whole front, was equipped for a sudden attack for several months. Little by little one saw the inorease in cir- culation on the rallroads, the muni- tion dumps growing, the aviation fiel being prepared. The front, however, remained quiet and artil- lery showed little activity. But one observed, as was the case before the offensive of May 27 and that of June 9, for example, the fire by high bursts, discreest procedure for the regulation of the artillery. Then, suddenly, behind the apparent mo- bility of the front, one perceived a more intense movement on the na row-gauge railroads; from the Suippe toward Epoye, one scented the move- ment of troops. The roads north of Buippes showed a little more ani- mation aleo; wagons and individuals were on the march from north to south. The morning of the 14th wagons in greater number, but mov- ing singly and not in convoys, went back from the zone of the batterles; it could be guessed that they had been supplylng ammunition during the night. But the surest informa- tion was obtalned In the almost dally rafds-te which I have made allusion. leading general | crown | t, on his left wing, where | Their operations were frultful dur. ing the whole first fortnight. On July 8 came the first preciss In- formation, a simple intimation that the attack was imminent on the Chempagne front. £ %% ON-the 14th, a detachment, a lleutenant, fighting whirlwind, carried out all the raids and the one the best which gas the begt results obtained in se It was then learned that th. tion of utl v ral weeks. attack was merely a qu hours and the artlilery prej would commence at ten minutes midnight. At 4:15 am. ths infa would leave the trenches under co; of a rolling barrage. On July 14 at 11 pw Gauraud gave the order to b counter-offensive prepar: was launched & half hour lat stalling the German bombardment | At the hour mentioned- |utes past midnight—the Germe bardment was launched with |rible roar. It surprised no on | this period of every day the attack was fe more imminent, the commander of the army had been able to visit even the posts of the colonels and enabls them to share his firm confidence At 4:15 the rockets of the vigilant | lookout men of the line observation | ascended in the breaking dawn; the waves of the assault rushed forward Then our own barrage descended like a whirlwind on our first positions where the enemy wae arriving and which the German guns of all cali- bers und minenwerfer had already hammered. The battle was going to be enacted according to schedule. In the same way that the observation detachments had done their duty, the |advance elements of the first-line bat- | tallons were carrying on, fulfilitng the mission which had been intrusted to them, “to hold back and disin. tegrate the enemy.” Kach man re- mained where duty eommanded him to hold Many of thess must have {fallen into the hands of the Ger- mans. But from the first attack, so to speak, they s that it was a defeat for the 3 While the attacking troops hud a |rived befors the line of redoubts, & the machinery behind them was co tinuing to function acco schedule based on the hyp victorious progress, The rolled rhythmically far }of the furious waves breaking uga the dyke which was resisting then And the divisions of the se fully convinced that the first pursuing thelr reguiar advance the hands of a clock, had advanced behind them at the appoin the motor convoys, supp jhorse-drawn batteries | the roads—in all that our artillery- {men fired with open sighte, poux 8rinding, unceasingly heavy trucks and the horses. Never has any one seen such carnage. A | source of the Aisne, on that lock which Gen. Marchand used love and which is called Place ¢ op era, seventy' corpses were ing in one heap. But it was in the region o the Monts, which we had just aba doned during the night, in conform- ance with the plans of the command, that the carnage was the greatest. They were seen to appear at the cr est, at present denuded, where no cover masked them from view, and tic plunge down the slopes. * ok w x “A GREAT personag sald one the first prisoners, -“is ob ing this from up there.” In fac German emperor, as formerly fi the top of the Grand Couronne watched for the moment to rush up: Nancy, was waiting on Mont B} in Ludendort's house, for the hoy enter Chalons. Thus he was ables #60 another of his dreams fade The Gouraud army had -beforo {tfh line at the eve of battle thirteen df slons, some of the crack divisions, will be recognized by: their 1 designations. They were from wes east, from the region of Trugny, d that of Massiges, the 15th Bavaril the 3d Guard, the 26th Division, the Ereatz Division of the Guard, the 199th Division, the 239th, the 1st, the! Dismounted Cavalry Division of th Guard, the 24 Bavarian Division, i Bavarian, 88th Infantry Division, 16 Infantry Division, tha 33d Reserve, plus nine or ten divisions in reserve- that {8 to say, twenty-five divisions at the lowest estimate. Today, in Indienapolis, Gen. Gourand Joins in the celebration of that great battle, greeting again the men w fought under him five years ago, a the writer who had the honor of shak {ng his hand one hot July day in th little village of Cuperly, jusi behind a the lines, feels safe in saying that the reunion in the Hoosier state today will bring forth expressions of Amer- fcan patriotism, different, perhaps, from the demonstration the same men &l over at Champagne, but never. eleas quite as sincere. n bom- n advance hour; wagons, a