The Holly chieftain., 1902-06-20

ideas OF revenge that the barriers he
might raise would 20 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 its prey.
She knew, OF had guessed the truth.
and was now posting the old fool Of
major.
That this was SO could be discovered
by 4 single glance. for the soldier
puffed 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 fash 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 fel-
low soldiers from over the Rhine were
pounding away beyond the forts and
beating the DEVILS tattoo in the deter
mined effort to secure the surrender of
MacMahons fine army?
Monsieur" said the major, stfmy,
the point you have advanced may be
we'll taken, but l 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
tacltiy admit the charge-therefore
you must not protest If we lead you
back again to your prison.
The major knew, then, that he had
been In dungeon-perhaps he was
also aware Of his engagement with
Conrad
Monsieur lie major. 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 l please
within the city walls. You have been
Influenced by one who hates me to
make this arrest. But, M. lie major, /
stand upon my dignity as the guest of
the. city of Metz. and l defy you to
arrest me. warn you plainly that
II you order one OF these men to place
hand on me you will be the first to
suffer. Because my life is in danger
from yonder woman have been gem
erously allowed to carry arms, most
unusual thing In the case Of prison
er on parole. So you see l have here
a revolver that contains six bullets,
more than enough to finish all those
who are opposed to me. Much Is /
should regret spelling the heat apart
ments OF my mother, and depriving
you OF what you evidently need, T
shall be under the painful necessity of
scattering your brains about this place
IL you persist. l am willing to 90 to
the commandant and surrender my
self. but must object to becoming the
prisoner Of one whom 1 know to be
as interruptions 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 80 dangerous q weapon.
4A0 O0SACu " LAc uOuls OpSucu II,
and bawled out an order for half a
dozen more men to come into the
apartment.
AT the same time Paul managed to
say = few words to his mother that
caused her to leave the room by an
other door-he had thought OF . for
lorn hope.
It was faint hope indeed upon
which Paul was obliged to lean, and
only the desperate condition OF afIaira
could account for him giving It any
credence whatever.
Heknew his gigantic blum had failed
to work, except In 10 far ~ the
majors quick demand for larger
bodyguard went
With nearly dozen soldiers ia
obey his beck and call. he would only
make sure that his own precious car
cas- was we'll 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 q 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 ia
be taking NO steps toward, savtng MIN