The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1895-07-03
ESPIONAGE.


His one desire was to serve his country
by the discovery of some ingenious plan to
rob France of the copyright in her mill
tary defenses, and his appointment as de-
tective was not a week old when he saw
his chance and Swallowed him for half a
day.
The subject was in appearances Viquetre's
Ideal redoubt spy. OF middle height, with
bent back and jerky, Irregular gait, his
keen gray eyes shot flashes of intelligence
from the cover of thick lashes and shaggy
brows. His long, untrimmed white hair
rose and fell with the old mans erratic
movements or played with the breeze when
its owner stood for awhile, suggesting an
innocence that did not for one moment
mislead Viquetre.
Had he not perceived paper in one
hand and a pencil in the other? And, al
though the old man did not make a mark
or jot note while he strolled with ap-
parent aimlessness about Fort d'Ivry, yet
did not Viquetre see the pencil fly over the
paper before he had left the redoubt half a
mile behind?
And the old man had struck a bee line
for the Ceinture railway and entered a
train at La Maison Blanche station, fol-
lowed closely by Viquetre, who, his COM
parative youth Notwithstanding, had all
his work to caeeh the same train and enter
an adjoining carriage.
And then happened Viquetre's first pro-
fessional surprise. Although at every sta
ton he had alighted and closely scanned
all who were leaving the compartments in
his vicinity, yet when the train had COM
pleted the circle and stopped at the juno
ton no old man with bent back and shaggy
white locks could be found.
A week later Viquetre was on the Cein-
ture platform of the St. Lazare station,
when he espied his runaway suspect enter
ing first class carriage. Viquetre, not
to be done second time, followed him as
the train started and quietly sat down by
the door. His victim was already en-
sconced on the opposite seat at the farther
end of the carriage, a clean sheet of paper
spread open in one hand, pencil in the
other. He made no sign of observing VII
queries entry.
''He is wrapped in his thoughts, - men
tally exclaimed the detective. 81 wish
had a mirror that would reflect them. -
AS if in answer to his desire, his COM
panion spoke.
Yes; Fort d'Ivry will do, after ALL
Viquetre started. For a moment he
thought the remark was addressed to him,
but glance at the old man seated in the
corner, buried in reflection, proved that he
was unwittingly giving voice to his
thoughts.
The train paused at Les BatignoIles.
Viquetre, to give his companion conf
dence, feigned sleep. The train pursued
its Journey; the old man his reflections.
eyes; Fort d'Ivry shall be the scene.
The exterior can picture with ease
"You reconnoitered it long enough the
| other day, - Viquetre interrupted mentally.
"But how to gain the necessary detail Of
the INTERIOR"
$50 on, thought viquetre "I pray
you reveal your scheme for stealing plan
of the. interior of the fort It will be so
considerate of you and SO convenient to
me-
The train brought up at Courcelles and
steamed away again
IT must get permission to go inside, I
suppose, - continued the old man, still med
| itating.
eff you can,'' mentally responded Vi
quetre.
1.-The marie could not give it, suppose,
or know I could persuade him. Why viii
the government put such barriers in the
way of knowledge? A novelist of repute
should be allowed to roam at will. His
profession demands it. All information is
necessary to his work, and he should have
every facility for accommodating it without
risk or trouble. If L attempted to gain
| even a most superficial acquaintance with
the internal construction of Fort d'Ivry,
I should be arrested on suspicion of being
a spy"
Viquetre opened his eyes and stared won
deringly at the old man in the corner
Had he, after all, made huge mistaken
Was this shabby veteran a novelist of re-
pute merely anxious to lay the scene of a
comic novel of Fort d'Ivry?
But almost Immediately Viquetre's cum
ning-which he had adopted with his pro
fession-came to his aid
"He is not ignorant of my presence, as
| he assumes to be, - he thought quickly
He even suspects my business and is doing
his utmost to throw me off the scent.
Bieni Let him tryl He has met dog
I with very keen scent for his professional
age
"Ah, well, - muttered the old man re-
siynedly. 81 suppose L shall have TO pre-
sent myself at the Ministere de la Guerre
and persuade them to give me apass to the
fort. It's a lot of trouble that ought never
to be imposed upon a busy novelist, and
shall make it my business to tell them so. -
Viquetre cLuckled silently. The train
stopped at Porte Maillot as the old man
ceased speaking, and he rose to leave the
compartment.
Viuuetre hesitated. He could not arrest
his companion then without grave risk Of
failing to prove his charge. He decided to
caught paper on the opposite seat Of the
carriage where his fellow traveller had
been sitting.
He made a dash for it, and as he alight-
ed unfolde'd it and recognized it at once as
La Revue Illustree des Bellies Lettres
There was life size portrait on the front
page.
HMon Dieui' he exclaimed as he stood
on the platform staring at it cit is a like
| ness of the old mani He is a novelist, aft
| er all He is NJ. Honore St. Jacques?'
And he read the name under the picture
that was headed "Our Greatest Living
Novelist
''What an ass I amP' exclaimed vi
quetre, with charming candor.
A month later this report was freely cir
| eulated and credited:
tThere now remains no doubt that the
man calling himself Honore st. jacques,
| who received permission to inspect Fort