The Crime of the Trenches: or, Clif Faraday's Last Cartridge

# Museum Catalog Note

True Blue, No. 27 (November 12, 1898), features "Clif Faraday's Last Cartridge" by Ensign Clarke Fitch, U.S.N., a naval adventure serial set during the Spanish-American War in Cuba. Junior naval officer Clif Faraday narrowly escapes assassination when a knife is driven through a palisade behind him. He suspects David Parr, a renegade naval officer and member of the "Wolves of the Navy," a criminal gang that attempted to steal the paymaster's yacht carrying $200,000. One gang member died; another awaits court-martial; Parr remains at large. Parr seeks revenge while also concealing the whereabouts of kidnapped marine Reeves Harlow. Faraday has placed Harlow's fiancée, Edna Danvers, in protective custody at an inn but discovers she has been lured away by forged note—apparently kidnapped. Faraday pursues leads concerning Harlow's cousin Bruce, suspected of orchestrating the broader scheme.