The Red Cloud chief., 1902-04-04
AT Swords Points;
A SOLDIER OF THE RHINE.
By ST. GEoR GE RATHBoRNE
By ST. GEORGE ~RATHBoRNE
A OF THE RI


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
low soldiers from over the Rhine we're
pounding away beyond the forts and
beating the DEVILS tattoo in che deter
mined effort to secure the surrender OF
MacMahon's fine army?
Monsieur" said the major. stiGly.
the point you have advanced may be
well taken. but | cannot allow you
your liberty. Perhaps you have held
no communication with the foes with
out. but can you answer the same as
to the spies Within"
Paul was silent, for he hardly knew
what to say.
you do not speak, monsieur-you
tacitly admit the charge-therefore.
you must not protest II we lead o
back again TO your prison"
The major knew, then. that he had
been In a dungeon-perhaps he was
also aware of his engagement with
Conrad.
Monsieur lie major, I carry here the
freedom OF the city. signed by the
commandant. Marshal Bazaine. whose
signature you know rely upon that
passport to take me where I please
within the city walls. You have been
Influenced by one who hates me to
make this arrest. But, NJ. lie major, |
stand upon my dignity as the guest Of
the city OF Metz, and | defy you to
arrest me. warn you plainly that
II you order one Of these men to place
a hand on me o will be the first to
suffer. Because my life is in danger
from yonder woman | have been gen.
erously allowed to carry arms. a most
unusual thing in the case of a prison.
er on parole. So you see ! have here
a revolver that contains six bullets,
more than enough to finish all those
who are opposed to me. Much as |
should regret spelling the neat apart
mentS OF my mother, and depriving
you OF what you evidently need. I
shall be under the painful necessity OF
scattering your brains about this place
If you persist. | am willing to go to
the commandment and surrender my
self, but must object to becoming the
prisoner of one whom | know to be
as INSCRIPTIONS as yonder woman
The sight OF Paul's revolver rather
staggered the major. who had. of
course, not dreamed that a prisoner
on parole could properly be possessed
OF so dangerous a weapon.
In hanknd IN Tho Iaa, o,,. 4.
and bawled out an order for half a
dozen more men to come into the
apartment.
At the same time Paul managed to
say a few words to his mother that
caused her to leave the room by an
other door-he had thought of a for
lorn hope.
1t was a faint hope indeed upon
which Paul was Obliged to lean, and
only the desperate condition of affairs
could account for him giving it any
credence whatever.
Heknew his gigantic bluff had failed
to work, except in so far as the
majors quick demand for a larger
bodyguard went.
With nearly a dozen soldiers to
obey his beck and call, he would only
make sure that his own precious car
cass was well out OF range when the
word to advance and fall upon the two
men would be given.
All Rhinelander could do was to de-
lay this climax as long az possible.
and meanwhile pray in his heart that
some fair measure of success might
accompany his mothers mission.
One thing surprised Paul.
This concerned Karl.
The young German had appeared to
be taking no steps toward saving him
self.
Could II be that he was In measure
~stupefed by the alarming conditions?
Paul thought not.
He had known the other for some
time, and felt sure he was not made
of such poor material that the pres
ence of danger would deprive him of
his usual sterling good sense.
Was he indifferent?
He had much to live for. and ever
the customary German phlegmatic
temperament could not account for a
young fellow with a sweetheart re-
signing himself to death so calmly.
There must be something back OF it.
Perhaps he was watching his chance,
and when the old major and his
guards were caught mapping he meant
to suddenly %galvanize into life, make
one mad spring through the door
which Paul's mother had left open
and. taking his chances with pursuing
bullets, attempt to escape.
At best. 1t was a hazardous game,
with the odds three to one against
him.
And yet, what Of that-were not
they ten to one he would be hung or
shot II he remained?
SO Paul was ready to see him fit
past into the blackness beyond the
door. and felt even in a condition to
give him his blessing and good wishes.
There was something about Karl's
tkas ~.