Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1911-02-16


direction to engage the enemy hand
to hand. But, inexorably as death,
the noise continued, day and night.
At the end of three days his nerves
were worn to shreds and his splen-
did army, which had borne the nor
rors of a disastrous campaign and
long siege rs we'll, was little better
than a historical mob. AS he SAT
at his desk in the winter dusk, head
on his chest, he realized that II the
tunnel of the Germans were carried
through he would lose not only MS
well-won reputation, but probably
life itself
He looked up with start as the
door swung open Before his cher
stood Gen. Moran his comely race
.alight Will. excitement and hope.
"Excellency," cried the vice-gover-
nor. waving all ceremony, the po-
litical prisoner, Fraulein Won Sterne,
wishes to see you. She declares she
can thwart the plans OF those VINO
Owing her. said the governor,
briefly.
Soon the general returned, usher
ing Fraulein Won Sterne. She was
German maiden Of perhaps twenty,
with low, wide forehead from which
the faxen hair, ripping bit, was
drawn ne. 'ly back. A long, thick
braid hung over each shoulder. Her
ewes were deep blue and innocent
She had been but few days con-
fined. and the cell had not yet robbed
her of the healthfuI color of lip and
cheek.
ernor, bluntly.
TIE girl met his glance placidly
and without fear. II am no spy, ex-
cellency, she answered, in perfect
French.
The governor frowned. You were
found on remote part OF our fortl-
fications, in conversation with
German soldier" !.
"It was my brother. had not
seen him for many months | told
him nothing Of the conditions here,
nor did he ask.
"Well. we will let that pass. You
are not on trial yet What do you
know of this German tunnel?
"You mean what do know OF the
tapping sound?"
The governor stirred impatiently.
eyes; but it is the same thing, IS It
not?"
She replied, choosing her words
with care: ..
"a force is working against you,
to undermine your Notifications. |
know what and where that force Is,
and can show you how to checkmate
it,"
"Your price !"
"My freedom, and safe conduct out
of Metz" :,
"Supposing you are deceivlng us!
the governor threatened.
"You will know before you re-
lease me, will you not?" rebuked the
girl, gently
The governor gnawed his finger,
scowling thoughtfully; the girl looked
down. Gen. Moran watched her
hungrily, his eyes on the sweet face.
on the CLEANS the freight awoke In
her hair Surprising his eyes upon
her, she blushed family. The vice
governors heart beat tumultuousiy.
The governor struck his desk re-
sounding blow with his fist. &C
cept!" he cried, General" to the
yice.governor, "have company OF
sappers ready for duty in the. corri-
dor near the dungeons within a
quarter Of an hour. See that the en-
tire garrison is put under arms.
Have the artillery redouble Its fire.
At the door Of vacant cell adj
ioining her own the girl paused.
"In there. she said.
AS beftted a brave man. the gov
ernor Of Metz was first to throw
omen the door and enter, but the vice
governor was close at his heels. They
raised their lanterns and saw-noth-
ing The cell was bare. The older
man was turning angrily when the
familiar sound came to his ears.
He peered into the distant corner
and the mystery was solved. The
roof had sprung aleak and water was
falling. drop by drop, into puddle
on the floor. The peculiar arrange
ment of corridor and cell had diff
fused the sound over a wide area,
driving thousands into cold sweat
"There is the force which is work
ing against you," said the, fraulein.
The soldiers, crowding about the
door saw and understood, and q
great gust of laughter, sound OF re-
lief and Joy as well as appreciation
~ the girls cleverness rolled through
the fortress like a wave. Other sol.
diers heard and laughed, too. without