Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-02-25
BY L. J. BEESTON


"And escaped from Paris in balloon added the boy
with the siken mustache.
Bah! What lies get about" growled his opponent.
aYour opening in this game Fritz, than your
last. Shall mate you in six moves. Six months since
had really good game at chess l wish"
L/ER da3" The shrill yell of the sentry came into
~ the ROOM 1t was answered by shout almost
loud, followed by sounds of scuffe. The Prussian
the sofa took leap the door and rushed out. He
turned in few seconds.
"a prisoner" said he curtly
Bring him in, ordered the German Graf.
with deathly, livid face, whose knees shook
under him, brought into the room by two troopers.
The flesh of his chest showed beneath his ragged gray
blouse. He fixed his desparng eyebas upon the Com
mandant
"Corneille Bordenave. l was schoomaster l am
franc-tireur."
as that all you have to say?'
isn't that enough?'
The bearded giant raised his eyebrows. This nso-
lence in the face of death was admirable.
You were spy1ng!
@Take him out and shoot him.
~Thanks, Monsieur!" The speaker dropped German
The troopers seized his arms. An expression of ex-
traordnary contentment eaped into the captives wild
eyes; The officers exchanged glances.
"Wat!" cried the Commandant. "Look here-you
have desire to live?'
@I?" Bordenave passed his hands down his shvcring
figure. 3Oh, yes life is Supremacy delightful thing
said he.
The boy with the siken mustache shuddered at that
fnghtful tone and all that it conveyed.
The Commandant looked long at the shvering cap
tive and Heaven only knows what passing in his
thoughts But his face quite mmobile as he said
at last, ayes, shoot him; but search him first
"For Bisnarcks most secret plans scofed the third
officer
"A paper, Commandant said one of the troopers,
drawing it from the prisoner blouse.
The officer his eye it, and low whistle OF sur
prise broke from him.. His companions ventured to look
shoulder and their opened wider and wider
3By Jove!" cried one in English.
Scott in HaMn1eLl it must be the mani" whispered
the other.
1t the laisses given to the schoolmaster
by the supposed King of Prussia, in exchange for his
liberty, and for which Bordenave had sold his soul.
The Commandant tapped it with the knuckle of his
right forefnger, looking at the captive with smile
parting his bearded lips.
"You know what this s?' he cried not harshly.
Bordenave set his teeth.
at is permit signed by the Emperor, safe conduct
Bordenave refused answer cursing himself for hav-
ing forgotten to destroy it.
The German tore it to fragments with leislrely air
Bordenave breathed again. So he to die, after
aDo you understand the jest that was played upon
you?" went on the other.
Bordenave stared.
Il see that you do not. 1 will explain. The story
spread. You believed that you held his Maj
esty the Emperor and you let him go in exchange for
this paper. He really Lieutenant Strackolz, who
resembles him strangely. 1t joke, you under
stand Your Count Dagobert nicely fooled. The
paper is worth the rags that you, my friend
Bordenave began to mutter 1ncoherent cries. a
Joker" he echoed huskily &" did not betray my MASTER
then?' His bewdered brain failed at first to under
stand all that this him; but its full meaning
became clear he felt crushing weight lifted from his
heart. of blood rushed into his face His eyes
flashed with strong light. He was transformed
"A joke, Monsieur le Commandment he shouted.
@You in earnest? Pardienl you must be, you
would not have destroyed that paper Now Christ and
His angels be thanked! God above Thou art merciful
to- mel
Bordenave fell upon his knees. He covered his face
with his thin fingers. Racking sobs tore his body
The boy with the mustache attacked with a vio-