Evening star., 1911-08-27
SUNDAY MAGAZINE FOR AUGUST II. 1911
DAGOBERT'S CHILDREN

large correspondingly. Lieutenant Strackolz
has half won his bet: trust that he will re-
turn Have | made myself clears?
"Md fol! with what sinking heart |
heard that! looked round furtively. There
was cavalry sword, in its scabbard, cn
wooden chair to my left.
@'Perfectly, Monsieur
3'And have you anything to say?'
ait was good sport-for you, Monsieur
l edged step nearer the chair.
"'Ah! you would criticize it?' added the
boy, with cold fury in those blue eyes OF
his that made my blood boil.
al throw myself upon your honor, Cen
tlemen.'
"You! snarled the German who had lost
the wager "A cursed franc-tireur! Take
the dog outside and pistol him.!
A T that moment | made side leap,
clutched the sword, and rang it from its
scabbard. | expected to find the whole lot
upon me; for they hadn't got much to tear
Not man moved. They looked at me stead
i1y. | stepped back until the wall stopped
me.
"'Vraiment, | am a franc-tlreur; but +!
would not serve an enemy SO dirty trick
said /, cool as any there.
"He of the white mustache raised his p1s-
tol, then lowered it. We don't want mess
in our living ROOM, said he. And since this
gentleman objects to being shot he shall be
hanged Fritz, see that it is done immediate
| ly!' He began to light cigar.
"Fritz was the boy. He took up his weapon
| from sofa and came on bravely enough. |
placed myself on guard; and whether 1t was
my handling of the steel, or some expression
| in my eyes, | do not know, but he stopped
III TO nfh
"Ah, ah! Manldn will not want her
pretty boys face spoilt! laughed.
"He cursed with passion, and the next
instant they were on me, save the Captain,
| who put his feet upon the table and smoked
| serenely.
@Diable! my Captain, had my work cut
out, | assure YOU. With rapier, or even
broadsword, think could have held those
rascals; but a cavalry sword IS somewhat
out of my line, you will allow me. Name OF
dog! how we cut and slashed! laid cheek
nicely open, touched breastbone with
straight lunge, parried death score OF times,
and then tripped and came down on my back
with a smash that brought a sheet of flame
over my eyes. Before | could move there
was spurred foot on my chest and steel
point cropping for my carotid artery. 1t was
all up with me. got out one laugh, stitened
my legs SO as not to draw them up when the
thrust came, if l could help it, and then
THEN the door was flung open, and there
stepped over the threshold Lieutenant
Strackolz
"They all turned as he entered, and the
steel point wandered off my carotid artery.
"The Captain, without moving his dirty
boots from the table, raped out, Death of
all the devils! You have brought back your
lucky hide, have you? | suppose | ought
to congratulate you on winning the bet; and
SO | do-with bad grace
"Strackolz looked round slowly, with an
extraordinary expression.
"Dame! thought |, as lay on my back,
not daring to stir. Truly this Strackolz
might be the Kings twin brother
"He looked round, as | say, very slowly.
Suddenly he espied the note | had brought,
purporting to come from the King, which
the Captain had flung upon the table.
Strackolz took it up and read it. His
bearded face went paler and paer; and, by
my soul! | seemed to see fire leap from his
eyes. No one moved or spoke. There was
something in the air that made me horribly
afraid. And then. all at once, in a voice
that sent a trickle of ice down my spine,
Strackolz called out:
"What is the meaning of this9'
@My Captain, if you had heard those
words shot out like bullet from chassepot,
or better STILL like shrapnel from an expo-