The San Francisco call., 1897-11-21

GERS tunic, his faxen hair clipped little
closer. but its fleece showing under his kept;
Karl his cheeks more cherubic than ever, un-
changed but for tiny yellow toy mustache
curling UP over the corners of his full lips;
Kari, beaming at his companions in his old
way, but rafting off French vivacities with
out the faintest trace of accent. Could he be
mistaken? Was it some phenomenal resem-
blance, or had the soul of the German private
been igrated 10 the French officer.
The Consul hurriedly called the garcon.
"Who is that officer who has just arrived ?"
sit is Captain Christian OF the intelligence
bureau" said the waiter with proud alacrity.
"a famous officer, brave as a rabbit-un fer
lapin-and one of our best clients. So drolA
too, such a farceur and mimic. siS~,
would be ravished to hear his limitations"
"But he looks Ike German; and hIG
name ?'
'Ah, he is from Alsace. But not a German"
said the waiter. absolutely whitening with in
dignatiou. "He was at Belfort. So was l.
Mon Dieu No, thousand times DO p
"But has he been living here long p said the
Consul,
'In Paris, few months. But his depart
ment msieur understands, takes him every
where. Everywhere where he can gain in
formation"
The ConsuPs eyes were still on Captain
Christian. Presently the officer. perhaps in
stlncuvely conscious of the scrutiny, looked
toward him. Their eyes met. To the Consul's
surprise the cidevant Karl beamed upon him
and advanced with etched hand.
But the Consul stifened slightly and re-
mained so, with his glass in his hand. At
which Captain Christian brought his own
easily 10 a military salute and said, politely:
Monsieur lie Consul has been promoted
from his post. Permit me to congratulate
him"
dryly.
'Otherwise I should not presume. For our
department makes 1t business-in Monsieur
le Consul's case it becomes a pleasure-to
know everything"
"Did your department know that the real
Karl Schwartz has returned? ?" said the Consul,
dryly.
Captain Christian shrugged his shoulders.
"Then it appears that the sham Karl died
none too soon," he said lightly. '.And yet"
he bent his eyes with mischevous repro ach
upon the Consul.
"Yet what?' demanded the Consul sternly.
Monsieur le Consul might have saved the
unfortunate man by accepting him as an
American citizen and not helped to force him
into the German service"
The Consul saw in a flash the full military
significance of this logic and could not repress
smile. AT which Captain Christian dropped
easily into a chair beside him and as easily
in to broken German English:
"Und," he went on. 'dees town = dees
Schlachstadt is fne town, eh? Fine vomens7
Goot men? Und beer and sausage? Blenty TO
eat and trink Ell? Und you und te poys haf a
gay times?"
The Consul tried to recover his dignity.
The waiter behind him, recognizing only the
delightful mimicry of this adorable officer,
was in fits of laughter. Nevertheless, the Con-
Sul MANAGED TO say. drVlv:
"And the barracks, the magazines the COM
missariat the details. the reserves of Schlacht.
stadt were very Interestingly?
"Assuredly."
"And Rheinfestung- plans-its details,
even its dangerous foundations by the river
they were 10 a soldier singuarly instructivep
'You have reason to say So" said Captain
Christian, curling his little mustache.
''And the fortress-you think?'
"Impregnable Mais -!'
The Consul rememb mbered General Adler.
kreutz's 100" and wondered.
THE END.