The Delta independent., 1906-05-11

sonaly to the Emperor. receiving MS con-
gra tulations, then retired to our tents Iot
food and rest But the surroundings were
SO novel and Of such interest that hunteo
up F1eischmann, the modest center OF AZ
enthusiastic group OF admirers, anu VIII
him made a tour Of the camp.
1t was an enormous aggregation oi men,
and horses and apparatus OF war. we rooe
for two hours, taking In the several lesser
camps going to make up the greater Az
every step found evidences of organization
and discipline in the highest degree OF per
fection. This was no hhphaznrd INVASION.
Through his stan, the Emperor was In con:
| slant touch with his troops. II mattered
| not at what hour an inquiry might arise Y y
| to ammunition. rations. health. spirit. OF
any given number of his men: the answer.
exact and accurate. was before hlm In an
| incredibly short space of time. The teie-
and wires were always up and working
| where needed. The field hospitals, admir-
ably equipped, were close behind. The en-
gineers worked almost without orders.
seeming to discern the need In advance:
The commissariat, too. wns above critic
| ism. Your German soldier Is an enormous
quality. Nothing irritates him 80 much as
| hunger and thirst; In which circumstance
| he furnishes the most unplensing contrast
to the French soldier. who Is always pat
lent and commonly cheerful under such priv
| ations. But here no man could complain
| OF shortage OF food or drink. nor OF lack
| of variety. The countless wagons. loaded
with supplies for men and animals. I'M
pressed me constantly. In truth, ! thought,
an army moves on It's belly. Here Is the
proof.
Opposed to this discipline stood the French
lack OF preparation of which Latour hao
| spoken that evening In the Club. II was
would show out at the critical moment:
| Perhaps this French characteristic, so well
known, was responsible for the German
cock -sureness. At any rate. there was no
| apprehension Of failure. Every man In that
vast army felt certain Of success.
We were just leaving the baloon-sheds
I
and gave me the Emperor's command to re-
port to him at once. Fleischmnnn and !
hurried back. wondering what was on foot
As we crossed the great Verdun road an
automobile corps passed. just arrived from
( a scouting expedition south. The cars were
large and heavy, OF high speed and great
radius OF action. All the vulnerable parts
were armored. and adjustable metal shields
extended around sides and front. They
were American machines of the new Vintou
type.
The Emparor's eyes were very cold, and
his face stern. He sat at small table in q
lower room OF the stone road house where
he had established temporary headquarters
Before him were heaped maps and papers.
He acknowledged my salute and spoke to
ine harshly;
What do you know of the spy. Latour?'
I spoke cautiously. "Only that we were
friendly In Paris, your majesty, and that
he was sentenced to die this morning.
suppose he has paid the penalty.
For full half a minute the Emperor look
ed into my eyes. knew he questioned my
vcracity..
Il have here n message from the cha
teau''. he said finally. 1T seems that your
precious Nndemolselie I.agunay Is playing
tricks on ns. She left this morning Mt day
light with her servants. and for conpan-
Ion she csrried-Latour. Griesinan Is after
them with squad OF cavalry"
stood there Ike one struck dumb. Ny
establishment and cha grin must have been
evident, for the Emperor spoke less severe
ly as he rose from his chair:
For your sake he said. 81 have order
I'd that Madamoiselle be not harmed,
though she has very farrantiy violated her
happen II Griesman should encounter re-
sistance You may 60.
Dismissed thus could hut stag1er out In
to the sunlight where Fleischmann- await
et me. God! What had she done' Latour
aided TO escape In her carriage. Griesmau
n pursuit-that scoundrel. Griesnan. whom
had nearly disembowelied for Insulting
Aimee. Short shrift might she expect from
him. He was justified In shooting every
member OF her party.
told F1eischmann the facts. He swore
nerceiy. He had already Joined me in my
what win You do''' he asked
"Do' Why cut for the chateau as fast
as can ! replied.
.But how You can not go without per
Permission the devil ask permission
Of no man started for the corral. To
get my horse. | was 40 blind with rag,
Standing In the road. Instantly l knew
what to do.
! turned To the chanYeur-privatc. "This
is the NiBton machine, see. l am Berlin
The private ssiluted and stepped out.
leaped to the wheel seat. Jump In,
F1eischmnnn.' said. Let me show you
perfect automobile"
The big sergeant obeyed. hut hesi,atiusly,
as though suspectinE my ruse. ! released