The Jersey City news., 1902-06-27

ana III the dead silence heard FOOT
steps and the clank Of sword as the
spy crossed the hall.
The instant my eyes fell on him l
could not restrain an exclamation Of
astonishmeIit He was q man high in
favor with the staff and of excellent
family, Lieutenant Won Mason. His
face fell as he caught sight of me. He
turned white to the lips and would
have fed, seemingly, had not the cap
tain, who was nearest to him, clapped
a hand on his shoulder and cried, with
a sneer
Come in, come in. You two worthy
gentlemen know one another, l see.7
bit my lips with rage at the taunt
1--WE will settle cur quarrel now, if
you please" said 10 him. Il can stay
here no longer. major" added, turn
ing to the man in command, | had in
deed seen enough and was anxious to
get away.
"On the contrary, you cannot leave"
was the short reply.
"Cannotr' | cried, and / backed to
the door by which | had entered and
opened it quickly. but only to step into
the arms of three men who had just
been posted there.
ARREST him." called the major quiet
ly. ''Disarm him and take him out Of
earshot till call"
In d moment my sword and revolver
were taken from me, and the men led
me out into the hall, where came un-
expectedly face to face with Lota, who
looked tie picture of distress and grief.
She few to me and, pushing the men
aside, took my hands.
Fritz, Fritz what is thisf" she cried
"There has been some mistake. Lota,
but no doubt it will all be set right.
Say nothing" whispered. saw then
that her clothes We're all soaked and
soddened by the rain. She had evident
ly been out waiting for me.
AS we stood thus the red captain
came out
1--WE viii settle that he began,
when Lota broke in:
captain dAguilar, what does this
mean? Why is my-why is the Graf
Won HolIebrann treated in this way?"
"Is this the Count Won Hollebrann"
and his eyes lighted.
..Say no more, Lota," whispered.
81 viii speak, Fritz. This is an OUT
rage, a shame. Who dares to do this
in my house? l will go to Major Mont
rev." she cried passionately. THE
Graf Won Hollebrann is my future hus
band and came here to meet me.
care not who knows it, Fritz" She
spoke proudly, little guessing the i'll
turn she was unwittingly doing me.
Il am not ashamed of the man am
pledged to marry"
"Oh, that's IT," said the brute of
captain. his eyes glistening. Its
pity you didn't tell US the truth, then"
he sneered at me.
A messenger came TO recall him, and
Lota, all against my wishes. went into
the room with him.
Then 1 heard voices in loud alterca-
ton, Lota's in entreaty and expostula-
ton, and finally cry that made me
break from the men who held me and
lldSA lillO tUS IOOlu 1lllO AAN AAAASb VI q
singular scene. Lota was ON her knees
before the major, begging and implor-
ing him to do | had not time to hear
what before my captors had seized me
again and dragged me away to another
room. where they stood guard over me-
1 remained there probably an hour.
when l was carried again to the pres
enee of the three officers. l was placed
on the side of the table opposite the
major. and the soldiers were sent away.
"You are the Graf von Hollebrann.
lieutenant in the German arny?" be-
gan the major in dry, inquisitorial
manner.
.'Before 1 answer any question
must understand the object of my be-
ing interrogated and the reason for
this treatment"
''You have been caught acting in a
very equivocal manner, and 1 am Civ
ing you an opportunity of explaining
your conduct. If you cannot or will not
explain it, the consequences must be on
Your own head"
"Yes; am the Graf Won Hollebrann.
What next?"
your object in coming here?"
81 decline to say"
t'No matter. Mile. de Choiseul has
very chivalrously stated it was to meet
her. Why did you give me the other
reason?"
hesitated a moment and then re-
solved to answer frankly.
Il was brought to this room to my
intense surprise. saw there was
some treachery afoat. and resolved
to ascertain who was the traitor. l
told that tale toSmake sure of being
brought face to face with him."
"You admit, then. that you deter
mined to play the spy so far. You will
understand the gravity of your posi-
ton, therefore"
shrugged my shoulders.
81 did what / felt to be my duty"
"You saw the risks. no doubt. and re-
solved to take them. You know the
consequences y
Il don't understand you" said.
very uncomfortable feeling beginning
to steal over me. He looked up at me
with hard. impassiye eyes.
l. i.