Iowa state bystander. [volume] (Des Moines, Iowa) 1894-1916, 1902-06-20
CHAPTER XXI.

the face OF the dapper captain WIN
came last month into the apartment
behind the soldiers than the truth
burst upon him like flash.
1t was the countess!
The eager look upon her race as
she entered the room told him 1t was
with her a moment of considerable
satisfaction, a time of triumph.
Paul was calm.
He knew the crisis Of his life, per-
haps, had come.
There was a foe more to be feared
than the duelist through whose living
shoulder he had thrust his ready blade
in the gray of dawn.
1t was his duty, of course, to appear
indignant, and to demand what SUCH
an unannounced entree might signify.
The major was good enough to lis
ten to Paul's little protest, though the
contemptuous smile never once left
his forid face.
He begged to assure the gentleman
that it was with deepest regret the
soldiers of His Majesty the Emperor
thus invaded a private house in the
city of Metz, but these were times
when all ordinary rules and regula-
tons had to be set aside, and they
had been given positive assurance that
those who were plotting treason
against France, had sought refuge be-
meath this roof.
The one glance Paul swept around
showed him his mother, pale-faced, yet
brave, surveying the scene in aston
ishment, Beatrix wringing her little
hands in sore dismay, knowing what
danger hung over the head Of her
Karl and that latter individual, per-
fectly cool and alert, watching the
course of events.
which he carried as protection-they
gave him the liberty Of the city o.
Metz upon certain conditions which
he had thus far faithfully carried out.
Monsieur lie major. will you be
good enough to examine these docu-
ments?' he said.
The officer caught sight of the sig
nature, and felt compelled to give
them a glance.
They seem regular enough" he
grunted.
Then this is, after ALL mistaken
The fat major smiled.
ooh, no. monsieur. I do not exceed
my duty, | assure you, when l come
to place you under arrest"
"But-the charge-surely / have a
right to visit my mother and my sis
ter
1t was the dandy captain who utter
ed a cry and fastened her eyes eagerly
upon the fair face of Beatrix-per-
haps, in that moment, the countess
may have wondered whether she
might not have been too hasty after
all-if one of these charmers thus
turned out to be his sister, might
there not be some hope of the other
proving at least cousin?
The suggestion vanished almost as
speedily as it had leaped into being.
She had gone too far now to turn
back-this man had scorned the
chances she offered him to come in
out of the wet, and she must not enter
complaint if the deluge oyerwhelm-
ed him.
Under ordinary conditions-of
course-but not to plot against the
lilies of France" returned the French
major solemnly.
Il assure you'll am ready to take
my oath that not one word has been
uttered here that you might not have
heard-that since my parole l have
adhered strictly to its provisions,
which require that I hold no COM
munication with the German army
outside the gates of Metz"
Even while Paul was uttering these
words ne started and cast sudden ap-
prehensive look in the direction of
Karl.
The thought had come to him that
possibly he had unc0nsciously broken
the spirit OF his parole by seeking the
company of one whom he knew to be
in Metz acting for the Crown Prince.
It was most unfortunate action on
his part, since hostile eyes were watch
ing him, eyes that were quick to catch
the slightest move and interpret it to
suit their fancy.
Not to the fat major did these keen
eyes belong-that worthy was endeav-
oring to collect his scattered senses,
and carry out his prearranged part in
the program-what Paul asserted had
in a measure thrown him off the track,
and he did not feel quite easy after
seeing the signature at the bottom of
the parole.
Had Paul been left alone with the
soldier he might have won out.
But there was another with whom
he had to deal, one possessed of mind
SO subtle and heart SO filled with
ideas of revenge that the barriers he
might raise would 60 down before the
attack as though made of straw.
He saw the woman glide up to the
major. who eagerly bent his head to
listen.
Paul feared the worst, for had he not
seen her glance toward Karl with the
eager look of hawk seeking it's prey.
She knew, or had guessed the truth,
and was now posting the old fool of
major.
That this was so could be discovered
by a single glance, for the soldier
pulled out his stout form as though he
had been suddenly invested with the
coveted cross of the Legion Of Honor.
The countess stepped back.
One flash of her eyes Paul had, and
the baleful look staggered him.
Was this her hour?
Defeated by fortune in Berlin. would
she accomplish his destruction in
Metz. even while the guns Of his fell