The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1902-06-19

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
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
MacMahon's fine army?
Monsieur" said the major. stifly.
the point you have advanced NAV be
we'll taken, but I cannot allow Won
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
tacltly admit the charge therefore,
you must not protest it we lead you
BACK again to your prison."
Inc 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 I please
within the city walls. You have been
lnnuenced by one who hates me to
make this arrest. But, M. lie major. l
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
suHer. Because my life is in danger
from yonder woman I have been gem
erously allowed to carry arms, most
unusual thing in the case of 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
II you persist. am willing to go to
the commandant and surrender N.Y.
self, but must object to becoming the
prisoner of one whom l 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 so dangerous a weapon.
He backed to the door. opened it.
and bawled out an order for half
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 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 anv
credence whatever.
Heknew his gigantic bluff had failed
to work, except in SO far as the
majors quick demand for larger
bodyguard went.
With nearly a dozen soldiers to
obey his beck and call, ne would only
make sure that his own precious car
cass 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 as 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 it be that he was in measure
stupefied 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 even
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 it was 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
hot H. nj, i ..