Chapter 14 - Tugwood to the Rescue
18 April 1919
Kingston Daily Standard
Major W.J. S. Sharp Arrested in New York
Disappeared From Kingston August 2nd --- For a While was Thought Drowned
(Canadian Press Despatch)
Kingston December 18. – A dispatch received in this city from New York states that Major W. J. S. Sharp formerly Casualty Officer of Military District No. 3, has been placed under arrest in that city charged with desertion. Authorities in New York have communicated with the military authorities at Ottawa and are awaiting their instructions in connection with the case. Major Sharp will probably be brought to Kingston within a few days.
Major Sharp disappeared from Kingston on Friday night, Aug 2nd. On Saturday morning his clothing was found on the water front behind the GTR station at the old pump house.
Carroll shifted in his chair and Pethswitherick looked up as he put the paper down. “Well it looks like Henderson’s plan is finally ending”
“George”, said Carroll, “I just wish there was another way to deal with this”
George looked very upset and jumped to his feet. “We have got to see him OK in all this. Let the poor bugger die in peace”
Carroll nodded his head and said “From the time we started after him, I knew we would run into the military way of doing things. They don’t have any alternative. He will be court-martialed. Goodness knows what will be the result of that. I don’t think, seeing that the war is over, he would be shot, but he certainly won’t go free. In his condition in jail…..” Carroll shrugged his shoulders in resignation.
Pethswitherick said “Mrs. Sharp and Mrs. Hughes were in to see me this morning.”
“You mean Wm St Pierre’s wife?”
“Yes. She told me that Brig General Hughes was very upset by the whole affair and in spite of Sharp’s action, he felt he had suffered enough as a result of his service to the country and the whole matter should be dropped. I kind of agree. “Well, he’s certainly not in any condition to stand court martial”
Carroll stood up, put on his fedora and picked up his walking stick. “George, I’m going down to the club the 21st has on Montreal Street.”
George said “I’m coming with you”.
Kingston was a military town. Even though the war had ended in an Armistice, the streets still were populated with a mix of soldiers and the usual civilians. Carroll and his companion walked along through the crowds and going up the stairs to the second floor, opened the door to the 21ster’s club. As they opened the door, they heard “so when the 21st arrives, we want to have the streets decorated and a fine meal to send the boys off home”
The mayor said “We can arrange to have the streets decorated. All the merchants will be encouraged to make sure the flags and bunting are well in place”
Carroll cleared his throat.
Alf Tugwood said “Yes Mr. Carroll”
“Sorry to interrupt chaps, but I think you know why I’ve come here tonight”
Tugwood looked at the two Dominion policemen and smiled “It’s about Mr Sharp, I presume”
“Yes it is”
“Gentlemen, I think we owe Mr. Sharp, an officer in our battalion, a fair consideration”. The other members of the 21st Return Committee looked expectedly at Carroll.
Carroll said” I am not here as a member of the Dominion Police. I am here because Mr. Sharp, I believe, will be hung out to dry simply as a matter of military procedure. As you know he disappeared back in August last year. While it appears to the public that he deserted, you and I both know that a man of his family background, military pride and service to Canada, would not do that without some good cause. I know what that good cause was.
As you know George and I were the investigators. Actually before disappearance we knew that a dispatch had been sent by courier from the office in Ottawa. The courier was a young lady, whose name I cannot reveal. She was routed through Kingston, closely pursued by the enemy. “
“The enemy?” said one of the gentlemen.
“Not all the war was fought overseas. We had a continual string of spies and espionage agents come to Canada. In the later years of the war, they came through Canada to get into the US. Fortunately we caught most of them. The ones we didn’t catch, left their mark on our industries and power supplies. You doubtless have read about some of their deeds suspected or otherwise. In confidence, gentlemen, I can tell you that we even had one of their number in our own department. We left him there and fed him misinformation, but at times his presence tipped off the Germans that a courier was being sent. That’s what happened in this case.”
“But how does Sharp figure in this?” asked Tugwood.
“When the courier’s pursuers got too close, she simply walked in and asked for help. Mr. Sharp could do no other, even though he was and remains deathly ill. He knew that he had only a limited time to live. Yet, when she required his help, he didn’t hesitate. He set out a means of leaving a red herring trail for her pursuers and for the military by faking his own death. Arming himself with a captured Mauser pistol he joined her as her protector and left for New York where she was to pass the note onto the next section.
Tugwood looked at Carroll and said “What was the note about?”
Carroll hesitated and then replied “If I was to tell you, I’d be breaking a great confidence. This matter is sealed until well after we are long gone. It was that important. I believe, however, that it did help to end the war”
“Nuff said” smiled Tugwood.
“When was the note delivered to New York?” asked another 21ster.
“Within days of them leaving here” Carroll replied
“Then why didn’t Sharp return right away”
Carroll smiled and said “That is a most interesting story. And for the next hour Carroll recounted what happened after Sharp disappeared in New York.
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