The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1900-08-31
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Maxine Viquetre was aching to distin-
guish himself, and the new espionage bill
he declared would give him the requisite
opportunity.
His one desire was to serve his country
by the dicovery Of some ingenious plan
to rob France of the copyright in her mil
iitary defenses, and his appointment as
detective was not week old when he
saw his chance.
He discoyered a spy. 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 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 pencil in the other? And, al
though the old man did not make mark
or jot a 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 d mile behind?
The old man then went to the railway
station and entered train Viquetre
had only time to enter an adjoining car
rage. But there he lost his spy.
A o1r Al
platform of the station, when he espied
his runaway suspect entering 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 ensconced on the
opposite seat at the farther end Of the
carriage, a clean sheet of paper spread
open in one hand, q pencil in the other.
He made no sign Of observing Viquetre's
entry.
He is wrapped in his thoughts, = mem
tally exclaimed the detective. II 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 moment he
thought the remark was addressed to
him, but a 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 it long enough the
othar dov -. Niuuotrn
But how to gain the necessary detail
Of the interiorw d
go on" thought Viquetre. 81 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.
Il must get permission to go inside, 4
suppose" continued the old man, still
meditating. 81
IF you can" mentally responded vi
quetre.
The MARIE could not give it, 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 accumu-
lating it without risk or trouble. If at
tempted to gain even most superficial
acquaintance with the internal construc-
ton of Fort d'Ivry, should be arrested
on suspicion of being a spy
Viquetre opened his eyes and stared
wonderingly at the old man in the cor
ner. Had he, after all, made a huge mis-
take? Was this shabby veteran novel
| list OF repute merely anxious to lay the
scene of a comic novel of Fort dIyry? z
4 But almost Immediately Viquetre's
cunning which he had adopted with his
profession came to his aid.
| HE is not ignorant Of my presence, as
he assumes to be- he thought quickly.
He even suspects my buiness and is doing
his utmost to throw me off the scent.
! Well! Let him try! He has met dog
with very keen scent for his profession
al age"
"Ah, well" muttered the old man re-
slgnedly. II suppose | shall have to
present myself to the minister Of war and
persuade them to give me pass to the
fort. It's a lot of trouble that ought new
er to be imposed upon busy novelist,
and l shall make 1t my business to tell
them 80"
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 ar
rest 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 eve caught paper on the oppo-
site seat of the carriage where his fellow
traveller had been sitting.
He made dash for it and as he
alighted unfolded it and recognized it at
once as La Revue Illpstree des Bellies
Lettres. There was a life size portrait
on the front page.
1 "Mon Dieuv' he exclaimed as he stood
on the platform staring at 1t. st is q
| likeness Of the old man! He is a novel
list, after all. He is M. Honore St.
Jacques"
And he read the name under the pic
ture that was headed "Our Greatest Liv-
ing Novelist"
What an ass amp exclaimed vi
| y,ifh pbo, ii