The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1904-03-27

IL was III tIe DAYS WhCi ohS NNihi"a'
armies had broken their way across
France, and when the shattered forces OF
the young republic had been swept away
to the north of the Aisne and to the
south of the Loire.
Black and bitter were the thoughts oil
Frenchmen when they saw this veal of
disEonor sashed across the fair face OF
their country They had fought and they
had been overborne. That swarming cav
airy, those countless footmen, the master
full guns-they had tried and tried to
make head against them. In battalions
their inaders were not to be beaten; but
man to man, or ten to ten, they were
their equals.
Colonel on Graham of the Twenty
fourth Posen infantry had suffered Sc
verely during tins new development. He
commanded in the little Norman town of
Les Andelys, and his outposts stretched
amid the hamlets and farmhouses of the
district round. No French force was with
in fifty miles Oh him, and yet morning at
ter morning he had to listen to a black
report of sentries found dead at their
pests or of foragInG parties which had
never returned.
Then the colonel would go forth in his
wrath, and farm-steadirgs would blaze
and villages tremble; but next morning
there was still that same dismal tale to
be- told. Do what he might, he could not
shake off his inisible enemies. And yet,
it should not have been so hard, for from
certain signs in common, in the plan and
in the deed. it was certain that all these
outrages came from a single source.
Colonel on Gramm had tried violence
ard it had failed. Gold nip be more
successful. He published it abroad over
the countryside that five hundred francs
would be paid for information. mere was
no response. Then eight hundred The
peasants were incorruptible. Then, goad-
ed on by a murdered corporal. he rose
to a thousand, and so bought the soul
of Francois Rejanc, farm laborer, whose
Norman avarice was Il stronger passion
than his French hatred.
you say that you know who did these
crimes?" asked the Prussian Colonel, eye
ing with loathing the blue bloused, rat
faced creature before him.
Eyes, Colonel"
And it Was
Those thousand francs, Colonel"
mot sou until your story has been
tested. Comet Who is it who has MUIR
dered my men?"
II Is count EuStdCe OF 1naleau
'You lie!" cried the Colonel, angrily.
"A gentleman and a nobleman could not
has done such crimes"
The peasant shrugged his shoulders.
cit is evident to me that you do not
know the Count. 1t is this way, Colonel.
What I tell you is the truth, and 1 am
not afraid that you should test it. The
Count of Chateau Noir is a hard man;
at ho hccf tirnn no
man. But of late he has been terrible
was his sons death, you know. His
son was under Douay anu he was taken,
and then in escaping from Germany he
met his death. 1t was the Counts only
child and, indeed, we all think that it
has driven him mad. With mis- peasants
he follows the German armies. / do
not know how many he has killed, but
ii IS he who cuts the cross upon the fore
heads for it is the badge of his house.
It was true. The murdered sentries
had each had a satire cross slashed
across their brows, as by hunting knife.
The Colonel bent his stiff back and ran
his fore finger ocr the map which lay
upon the table.
"The Chateau Noir is not more than
four leagues he said.
''Three and kilometre, Colonel
You know the place."
Il used to work there
Colonel on Gramm rang the hell.
Give this man food and detain him, :"
said he to the sergeant.
why detain me, Colonel? l can tell
you no more
eve shall need you as guide"
CAS- guide. But the Count? If / were
to fall into his hands? An Colonel"
The Prussign commander waed him
away.
''Send Captain Baumgarten to me at
oEce," said he.
The officer who answered the summons
was man of middle age, heavy jawed,
blue eyed, with curving yellow mus
tache, and a brick-red face which turned
to an ivory white where his helmet had
sheltered it. AS "a soldier he was slow,
but reliable and brae. The Colonel could
trust him where a more dashing officer
might be in danger.
"You will proceed to Chateau Nor to-
night, Captain" said he. "a guide has
been provided. You will arrest the count
ard bring him back. If there is an at
tempt at rescue, shoot him at once"
GLOW many men shall l take, Colonel?'
'Well we are surrounded by spies, and
our only cnance Is 10 pounce upon MIN
before he knows that We are on the way.
A large force will attract attention. On
the other hand, yuo must not risk being
cut off,
81 might march north, Colonel. as if
to join General Goeben. Then could turn
down this road which / see upon your
map. and get to Chateau Noir before thew
could hear of us. In that case, with
twenty men-
VERY good, Captain. hope to see you
With your prisoner tomorrow morning. .
1t was a cod December night when Cap