Bennington semi-weekly banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 1894-1902, 1895-07-05
ESPIONAGE.

by the discovery of some ingenious plan to
rob France of the copyright in her mill
tary defenses, and his appointment as de-
Eective was not a week old when he saw
his chance and Swallowed him for half a
day.
The 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 the cover of thick lashes and shaggy
brows. His long, untrimmed white hair
rose and fell with the old mans cratic
movements or played with the breeze when
it's owner stood for awhile, suggesting an
innocence that did not for one moment
misload Viquetre.
Had he not perceived paper in one
hand and 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 tho old man had struck bee line
for the Ceinture railway and entered u
train at La Maisou Blanche station, fol-
lowed closely by Viquetrc who his COM
parative youth Notwithstanding, had all
his work to catch the same train and enter
an adjoining carriage.
And then happened Viquetres 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 tho St. Lazare station,
when he espied his runaway suspect enter
ing first class carriage Viquetre, not
to be done a 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, II clean sheet of paper
spread open in one hand pencil in the
other He made no sign Of observing vi
queries entry
"He is wrapped in his thoughts, " men
tally exclaimed the detective. II wish
had mirror that would reflect them"
AS if in answer to his desire, his COM
panion spoke.
"Yes; Fort '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 tho
corner buried in reflection, proved that he
was unwittingly giving voice to his
thoughts.
The train paused at Les Baugnolles.
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 1 can picture with ease'-
You reconnoitered it long enough the
other day." Viquetro interrupted mentally.
but how to gain the necessary detail Of
the interior?'
go on" thought Viquetre. II pray
you reveal your scheme for stealing plan
of the interior of the fort. 1t will be Sc
considerate of you and so convenient to
me"
Tho train brought up at Courcelles and
steamed away again.
Il must get permission to go inside, I
suppose, " continued the old man, still med
itating.
If you cam" mentally responded vi
quetre
THE marie could not give it, suppose,
or know could persuade him. Why will
JllO pun ohOiA btll lOlo III blIO
way Of knowledge? A novelist of repute
should DO 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 most superficial acquaintance with
the internal construction of Fort d'Ivry,
should be arrested on suspicion Of being
q 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 novelist of re-
pute merely anxious to lay the scene of a
comic novel Of Fort d'Ivry?
But almost Immediately Vlquctre cHn-
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.
Bienl Let him try! He has met a dog
with very keen scent for his professional
age"
"Ah, well, " muttered the old man re-
signedly. II suppose shall have to pre-
sent myself at the Ministere de la Guerre
and persuade them to give me pass to the
fort. It's lot of trouble that ought never
to be imposed upon busy novelist, and
shall make it my business to tell them so. 3"
Viquetre chuckled silently The train
stopped at Porte Maillot as the old man
ceased speaking, and he rose to leave the
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 as he rose to do so his eye
caught paper on the opposite seat Of the
carriage where his fellow traveller had
been sitting.
He made dash for it, and as he alight-
ed unfolded it and recognized it at once as
La Revue Illustree DIES Bellies Lettres.
There was life size portrait on the front
page
Mon Dieu" he exclaimed as he stood
on the platform staring at It, at is like
ness Of the old mani He is novelist, aft
er all. He is M. Honore st. Jacquesp
And he read the name under the picture
that was headed "Our Greatest Living
Novelist"
"What an ass I ami" exclaimed vi
qietre, with charming candor.
A month later this report was freely cir
culated and credited:
There now remains no doubt that the
man calling himself Honore st. Jacques,