The daily tribune., 1906-05-11


sonnlly to the Emperor. receiving his con-
gratulations, then retired to our tents for
food and rest. But the surroundings were
so novel und OF such interest that hunted
up F1eischmann. the modest center OF an
enthusiastic group of admirers. and with
him made a tour Of the cnmp.
1t was an enormous aggregation OF men,
safn1 IN tse Il
camps going to make up the greater. Al
every step ] found evidences Of organization
and discipline In the highest degree OF per-
fection. This was no haphazard invRsicn.
Through his stan. the Emperor WAS In con.
slant touch with his troops. II mnttered
not Mt whnt hour an inquiry might arise as
to ammunition, rations, health, spirit, CT
any given number Of his mem the answer,
exact and accurate, was before him In an
incredibly short space Of time. The tele-
phone was relied on for communication.
where needed. The field hospitals. admir-
ably equipped, were close behind. The en-
elneers worked almost without ordera.
The c0mmssarint, too. WAS above critic
Ism. Your German soldier IL an enormous
eater. curing more about quantity than
hunger and thirst; In which circumstance
he furnishes the most unpleasing contrast
to the French soldier, who IL always pat
lent and commonly cheerful under such priv
ations But here no man could complain
OF a shortage of food or drink, nor of lack
of variety. The countless wagons. loaded
Win supplies Tor men ana uulu1his, I'M
pressed me constantly. In truth. l thought.
an army moves on its belly. Here is the
proof.
Opposed to this discipline stood the French
lack of preparation of which Latour had
spoken that evening In the Club. 1t was
common report that some fatal shortcoming
would show out Mt the critical moment.
Perhaps this French characteristic. SO well
known. was responsible for the German
c0ck-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
when an orderly from headquarters rode up
and gave me the Emperors command to re-
port to him ut once. ,F'leischmnnn and
hurried back, wondering what was on foot
As we crossed the great Vcrdun road an
automobile corps passed. just arrived from
n scouting expedition south The cars were
lnrgc and heavy, of high speed and great
radius OF action. All the vulnerable parts
were nrmored. and adjustable metal shields
extended around sides and front They
we're American machines OF the new VintOn
type.
The Emperors eyes were very cold. and
his face stern. He sat at small table In a
lower room OF the stone rond-house where
he had established temporary headquarters.
Before him were heaped maps and papers.
He acknowledged my salute and spoke to
me harshly:
What do you know OF the spy Latour9"
he was sentenced TO die this morning. 1
suppose he has paid the penalty.
For full half minute the Emperor look
ed into my eyes. knew he questioned my
II have here a message from the cha
teau", he said finally. ''It seems that your
precious Mademolsele Lagunay is playing
tricks on us. She left this morning at day
light with her servants. md for a compan-
lon she carried-Latour. Griesman is after
them with squad OF cavalry"
| stood there like one strnck dumb. My
establishment and chagrin must have been
evident. for the Emperor spoke less severe |
ly MS he rose from his chnir;
For your sake, he said, 81 have order |
ed that Madamolsclle he not harmed |
though she has very fagrantiy violated her
happen II GrlesmnD should encounter re-
sstance. You may GO
Dismissed thus could but stagger out In |
TO the sunlight where Fleischmann await |
ed me. God. What had she doneY Latour
aided to escape In her carriagel Griesmnn |
n pursuit-thnt scoundrcl. Griesmnn. whom
had so nearly disemboweled for insulting
Aimeei Short shrlft might she expect from |
him. He was justified In shooting every |
OF her party.
l told F'leischmann the facts. He swore |
hercely. He had already Joined me In my
hnte OF Griesman.
what will you do1" he asked.
DO? Why cut for the chateau ~ fast
as .ps9 sap; so, replied c,0 no, 90 u,,,on, n...
Permission the devil I ask permission
Of no man. started for the corral. to
get my horse ] was so blind with rage,
that ! nearly ran into huge automobile
In the road. Instantly I knew
what TO do.
/ turned to the chnuffeur-prlvatc. This |
Is the Vinton machine. | see. am Berlin |
agent for Its sale. Let me see how It runs"
The private saluted and stepped out. / |
eaped to the wheel seat. Jump In, |
l said. Let me show you a |
perfect automobile"
The hig sergeant obeyed. but besita tingiy, |
ms though suspecting my ruse. released