The Lamar register., 1902-06-18

ohe HASH VI neT eyes raul nau, ana
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 may be
well 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
tacitly 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, l 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 | 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. l warn you plainly that
,rIn
| hand on me you will be the first to
suffer- Because my life is in danger
from yonder woman | have been gen.
erously allowed to carry arms. most
unusual thing in the case of a prison
er on parole. So you see | have here
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. !
shall be under the painful necessity OF
! scattering your brains about this place
If you persist. am willing to go to
the commandant and surrender my
self, but must object to becoming the
prisoner of one whom l 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 prisoner
on parole could properly be possessed
| of so dangerous weapon.
He backed to the door, opened 1t,
| 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 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 larger
bodyguard went.
With nearly dozen soldiers to
obey his beck and call, ne would only
make sure that his own prec. .ous car
cass was well out Of range when the
word to advance and fall upon the two
men would be given.
lay this climax as long as possible.
and meanwhile pray in his heart that
some fair measure of success nigh,
accompany his mothers mission
One thing surprised Paul.
This concerned Karl.
The young German had appeared to
be taking no steps toward saying him
self.
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 phlegmatir
temperament could not account for a
young fellow with a sweetheart re-
signing himself to death SO calmly.
There must be something back of II.
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 o.
shot II he remained?
SO Paul was ready to see him fit
past into the blackness beyond the
door and felt even in q condition IL