Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-11-18

the cIank of a sword as the spy crossed the
! hall.
The instant my eyes fell on him I could
not restrain an exclamation Of astonish-
! ment. He was a man high in favor with
the staff and of excellent family. Lieut.
=. His fire fell as ne caught
sight Of me, he turned white TO the lips
and would have fled, seemingly, had not
the captain, who was nearest to him,
, cIapped hand on his shoulder and cried
with a sneer:
Come in. come in. You two worthy gen
tlemen know one another, l see"
/ bit my lips with rage at the taunt.
eve Will settle our quarrel now, If You
please l said to him; 4 can stay here
man in command. / had indeed seen enough
! and was anxious to get away.
"On the contrary, you cannot leave was
the short reply.
door by which l had entered and opened it
quickly. but only to step into the arms of
three men who had just been posted there.
Arrest him." called the major quietly.
"psarm him and take him out of earshot
till | CALI
In a moment my sword and revolver were
taken from me, and the men led me out
into the hall, where ] came Unexpectedly
face TO face with Lota who looked the
picture OF distress and grief She few TO
me, and pushing the men aside took my
/ hands.
Fritz Fritz. what Is this?" she cried.
There has been some mistake, Lota, but
TO doubt it will all be set Alright. Say
nothing" L whispered. l saw then that
| her clothes were all soaked and soddened
| by the rain. She had evidently been out
| waiting for me.
AS We stood thus the red captain came
| out.
We will settle that he began. when
Lota broke in:
Capt. D'AguiIar. what does this mean?
| Why is 1ny-why is the Graf Won Hole
brann treated in this way"
! rs ibis the Count Won Holle5rann?' and
his eyes lighted.
Say no more, Lota," I whispered
! Il Will speak, Fritz. This is an outrage,
a shame; who dares to do this in my house?
I Will go TO Maj. Montrey." she cried pas
! II rafelv. The Graf Vpn HoNebrann is my
future husband and came here to meet
e." ut who knows il, Fritz" She
spoke proudly, little guessing the i'll turn
/ she was unWlttugly doing me. Il am not
| ashamed OF the man l am pledged to mar
| ry-'
! on. hiatt Is" said the brute of a cap
| tin. his eyes glistening. It's a pity You
| didn't tell Us the truth then" he sneered
| al me.
/ A messenger came to recall him, and
! I"ta, all against my wishes, went into the
room with him
! i-ota 5 In entreaty and expostulation. and
| finally a cry that made me break from the
| men who held me and dash into the room
! into the midst of a singular scene I,ota
| was on her knees before the major begging
| and tmploring to do had not time to hear
| what before my captOrs had seized nc
again and dragged me away to another
| room. where they stood guard over me
/ / remained there probably an hour when
| l was carried again to the presence Of the
three officers. | was placed the side of
the table opposite the major and the SOL
dfers were sent away.
! You are the Graf Won Hollebrann lieu-
tenant in the German army?" began the
| major, in a dry, inquisitorial manner
al
| uEders' and the object of my being interro-
! gated, and the reason for this treatment -
| You have been caught acting in a very
| eGutvoCal manner, and l am giving you an
| opportunity Of explaining your conduct If
! you cannot or Will not explain IT, the con-
| sequences must be on your own head
Yes, l am the Graf Won Hollebrann.
| What next?"
| Your object in coming here?'
| II decline to say"
mo matter. Mile. de Choiseul has very
Ghivalrously stated 1t was to meet her
| Why did you give me the other reason?''
| / hesitated a moment, and then resolved
| to answer frankly
Il was brought to this room to my In.
! treachery ahoat, and 1 resolved to ascer.
tain who was the traitor. l told that tale
TO make sure of being brought face to face
] with him"
You admit, then, that you determined &c
| play the spy so far. You will understa nd
the gravity of your position, therefore"
shrugged my shoulders.
| i did what | felt to be my duty"
You saw the risks, no doubt and re.
| solved 10 take them. You know the conse.
| quenceS?"
Il don't understand you" I said, Il very
uncomfortable feeling beginning to stea
! over mo. IL l1o!-ed up at me with hard
in passive eyes.
THE punishment of spy who is caught
| is-wh2t| His voice was hard as steel
| / was silent.
You are, on your own confession, spy