Pawtucket tribune. (Pawtucket, R.I.) 1890-189?, 1895-06-26
ESPIONAGE.

no uecihrou Woulo give MN tn0 roquhsi1
opportunity.
His one desire was TO serve his country
by the discovery of some ingenious plan TO
rob Franco OF the copyright In her mill
tary defenses, and his appointment as de-
tective was not week old when he saw
his chance and Swallowed him for half
day.
Tho subject was In appearance Viquetre's
ideal redoubt spy. OF middle height, with
bent back and jerky, irregular gait, his
keen gray eyes shot flashes Of intelligence
from tho cover OF thick lashes and shaggy
brows. His long, untrimmed white hair
rose and fell with the old msnS erratic
movements OF played with the breezc when
Its owner stood for awhile, suggesting an
innocence that did not for ono moment
mislead Viquetre.
Had he not perceived a paper In one
hand and pencil I'm Tho other? And, al
though the old man did not make mark
or jot note while he strolled with ap-
parent aimlessness about Fort d'Ivry, yet
did not Viquotre SEQ The Cancil fly over tho
paper before he had left tho rcdoubt half
mile behind?
And tho old man had struck bee line
for the Ceinture railway and entered n
train ut La Maison Blanche station, fol-
lowed closely by Viquetre, who, his COM
parative youth notwithstanding, had all
his work to catch the same train and enter
an adjoining carriage.
And then happened Viquetrc's first pro-
fessional surprise. Although at every STA
tion 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
tion no old man with bent back and shaggy
white locks could be found.
A week later ViQuetro was OH the Cein-
ture platform of the st. Lazare station,
when he espicd his runaway suspect enter
ing a 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 vi
quetros entry
'He Is wrapped in his thoughts, men
tally exclaimed the detective. II wish I
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 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 Batignolles.
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 1t long enough the
other day." Viquetre interrupted mentally.
but how to gain the necessary detail of
the interior?'
"Go on" thought Viquetre. "I pray
you reveal your scheme for stealing plan
of the interior Of the fort. 1t will be SO
considerate Of you and so convenient to
me-"
The train brought up at Courcelles and
steamed away again.
II must get permission to go inside, l
suppose, continued the old man, still med
itating.
IF you can," mentally responded vi
quetre.
1.-THE maire could not give it, I suppose,
or know / could persuade him. Why will
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 accumulating it without
risk or trouble. If 1 attempted to gain
even most superficial acquaintance with
the internal construction of Fort d'Ivry,
should be arrested on suspicion Of being
spy"
Viquetre opened his eyes and stared won
,o,1xy at hn in ha
Had he, after all, made huge mistake?
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.
Bien Let him try! He has met dog
with very keen scent for his professional
age"
"Ah, WELL" muttered the old man re-
signedly. II suppose L shall have to pre-
sent myself at the Ministere do la Guerre
and persuade them to give mo apass to the
fort. It's a lot of trouble that ought never
to be imposed upon busy novelist, and 1
shall make 1t my business to tell them so. "
Viquetre chuckled silently. The train
stopped ut Porte Maillot as the old man
ceased speaking and he rose to leave tho
compartment.
Viquetre hesitated. He could not arrest
his companion then without grave risk of
failing TO prove his charge He decided to
follow him, and rs he rose to do so his eye
caught n paper on the opposite seat Of the
carriage where his fellow tray eler had
been sitting.
He made dash for 1t, and ms he alight-
cd unfolded 1t and recognized 1t at once as
La Revue Illustree des Bellies Lettres.
There was a life size portrait on tho front
pago.
Mon Dieu" he exclaimed as no stood
on the platform staring at it, at is n like
ness Of the old mani He Is novelist, aft
or all. He Is M. Honore st. Jacquesr"
AVNI hs.w l.. -.