Mystery at Glennon Hall

by R A Wallace

  “By why take aim at us?” It wasn’t the first time Otis had asked the question.

  “I told you, old man. The only thing that makes sense is that the fiend was after me.” Wes handed a cup of coffee to Otis before retaking his seat. He watched Otis lower himself into another chair carefully to avoid spilling his coffee. “You merely happened to be in the way.”

  “Perhaps,” Otis agreed. “But the fiend made a mistake when he did so. He gained another enemy.”

  Wes let out a breath. “I would understand completely if you left this fight to me.”

  “So you have said many times before. We have a better chance of discovering the fiend if we work together. For now, you must continue to suffer through my poor imitation of a gentleman’s gentleman.”

  The tapping at the door interrupted Wes’s response.

  “Come,” Wes said loudly then watched as the door swung open.

  Bennie stood in the doorway. “Good morning.”

  Wes saw the paper in his hands. “A message this early in the morning?”

  “Telegram, sir.”

  “Let’s have it then.” Wes held his hand out.

  Bennie remained where he was. “It isn’t addressed to you, sir. It’s for Miss Markham.”

  “Indeed.” Wes eyed the paper with interest. “So you are here instead?”

  “Technically, I should not allow anyone else to see the message,” Bennie said as he took a few steps into the room.

  Wes shifted his eyes to Otis.

  “But you couldn’t help knowing the contents yourself,” Otis said. “Perhaps it is something the captain should be aware of? Something that involves the school?”

  Bennie hesitated for only a moment before reading the telegram. When he was done, he looked back up at Wes. “I am certain the whole town will know soon, sir.”

  Wes steepled his hands together as he considered the news. “Thank you, Bennie. Miss Markham should be getting out of her first class soon.”

  Bennie stepped backwards toward the door. “Yes, sir. I’ll take it over to Glennon Hall now.”

  “And Bennie?”

  “Yes, Captain?” Bennie stopped in the doorway.

  “The other two boys. The ones who were stealing the food. How have they been working out?” Wes asked.

  “I’m told the kitchen steward has kept them busy working off the food they took from the school, sir.” Bennie reached for the door handle. “Between their classes and the work schedule they’ve been assigned, they no longer have the free time for late-night activities.”

  ***

  Delia pressed the button on the stop watch. “And that’s it. Time is up and class is over. I’ll see you all when we meet again.”

  Delia opened the drawer of her desk and set her watch inside as the students began gathering their things to leave.

  “I managed to finish all of the words that time,” Rose said as she followed Gladys from the room.

  “I think I may have made one mistake in mine.” Gladys paused at the door to wave to Delia.

  “Perhaps you’ll manage a perfect attempt next time,” Delia said as she watched the girls leave the room.

  Once all of the students were gone, she sat down at her desk in the silence of the room. After opening another drawer, she pulled out a few sheets of writing paper and a pen.

  “Miss Markham?” Bennie stood at the open door.

  “Yes, Bennie?” Delia set her pen down.

  “You have a telegram.” Bennie crossed over to the front of her desk and held it out.

  Delia took the paper and unfolded it. Her hand went to her mouth as she read it. “That is so sad.”

  “Yes, miss.”

  Delia looked up. “Do you think his mother knows yet?”

  “Probably, miss. The Army is very good about such things.”

  Delia closed her eyes for a moment as she thought about Sadie Lawton. The woman was all alone now. Both her husband and her son were gone.

  “Pneumonia.” Delia shook her head. “I can’t believe Carl died on the ship from an illness going over to the fighting. He never even made it to the war.”

  “At least he’ll be sent back here for burial.” Bennie turned to leave. “His mother will have that much.”

  “Thank you, Bennie. Does the captain know?”

  Bennie stopped at the door and turned a guilty face toward Delia. “Yes, miss. I thought he should know seeing as it involved the school.”

  “Of course.” Delia offered an understanding smile just before Bennie disappeared from view. When she was alone again, she reached for her pen to write to the admiral’s wife.

  Dearest Euphemia. I am now settling into my new position here at Glennon Normal School. I have yet to learn anything about our mutual friend but have had occasion to speak with him more than once. I will continue to monitor the situation as requested and will report back promptly with any news. With fondest regards, Delia.

  Further Reading

  Information about women serving in World War I in the United States can be found from the Navy’s website and elsewhere online. There are also books on the topic specific to Yeoman (f). Two examples are below.

  Butler, H. F. (1967). I was a yeoman (F). Washington, D.C.: Naval Historical Foundation.

  Ebbert, J. and Hall, M.-B. (2002). The first, the few, the forgotten: Navy and Marine Corps women in World War I. Annapolis, Md: Naval Institute Press.