Montpelier examiner. [volume] (Montpelier, Idaho) 1895-1937, 1915-05-07
Copyright. The Frank 4. Munsey Coz

uiuSOub COuIfabt. InST0 were HO
sounds except those rlufied clicks and
snaps that tell when an army Is going
to rest for the night; few lights ex-
cept those that cleaned from the tents
of the great, far from the trenches
where the silent spades were at work.
Yet these lights were nearer to the
spades and the shadowy trenches than
is usual in modern warfare. The war
master had so willed 1T; it was to be
his battle, with him in personal com.
mand.
Now he sat in a field tent, gazing
down the trampled hill to the mead
ows where his hopes-for the day
had been realized Tomorrow? The
general stan would take care Of that In
Its usual wise way-if he approved its
plans. None of his own personal
stan was with him, for he had sig
nailed, with that abrupt gesture known
to all Europe, his wish to be alone.
still as the night. One of the lanes
stretched from the front Of the tent
halfway down to the valley, where
the roots Of the clover raised their
tentacles to sip the fertilizing blood.
This lane was q long, narrowing
patch of haze, for the moon had not
yet risen to its vain task of trying to
shine through the murk. And in this
lane, as the war master watched with
eyes that were focused on nothing at
all, something appeared. At first it
seemed like gray veil, floating In
the outline Of human form. But it
could be no human, for the war mas
ter watched for a salute and listened
for challenge, but there was neither
along the lane of the guard. Then,
perhaps, it was shadow of one of
the iron eagles that had been sweep
ing the sky for weeks? The war mas
ter listened for the whir of a motor,
but none came to his ears. The eagles.
or most of them, we're nesting on the
earth for the night, gorging them
selves with news of what they them
selves had accomplished from their
heights.
And now, still without salute or chal-
lenge, the silent thing, less like gray
veil and more like the film of man,
came to the tent slowly and entered.
Entered confidently, with the air Of
an equal, and bowed, but only from the
neck and not from the hips. There
was no mistaking the cut Of the cloak
and the cock of the hat.
The war masters eyes were cold,
too. returning the bow, but not 80
calm. A sneer, whether in word or
look, is the easiest fashion of covering
surprise-or alarm. The war master
did not RISE
"one Of the allies. believe" he
said.
NO." said the visitor in a dull
voice, SAY, rather, neutral"
Indeed" said the war master. "Is
not Corsica loyal to France?"
After a mans DEATH" said the
visitor, his politics and fealties dc
not change; they merely disappear"
81 am pleased to hear that. Herr
m. Bonaparte, IL you will, or ever
Mister. became accustomed to hear
ing the latter title aboard the Bel
lerophon."
The war master did not seem to b'
listening. He was watching his visi
tor narrowly.
81 wonder" he began. and thei
ceased to speak.
"You wonder" said the visitor, smil
ing, whether l am not real. / bel
to assure your majesty that am no
real. / understand, of course, tn
trend Of your thoughts. It has oC
Cured to you, as 1t would occur t.
most trained men under similar cii
. cumstances, that might be some ney
output Of the wizardry of war-an In
palpable man, free to come and g
among the tents of the enemy. l sax
the brief flash OF annoyance when
came into your mind that il there wa
any such deviltry possible your gentle
: men of the laboratories should hav
discovered it first
SUCH" said the war master a
7 rogantly, us our custon.,'
"The speed of thought Is one c
the few human things at which l sti
, may MARVEL" pursued the Corsicai
! You revolved in your mind not onl
that possibility, but dozen ways /
II which the magic might be used. Their
g is nothing contra in the rules of wa
| believe"
The war master raised his brows
u mock modesty.
/ "a dozen ways!" he repeated. ''Yo
Q fatter!"
. mo" said the Corsican. at leai
7. a dozen, perhaps score. | know.
II should have Thought of. fiftv"
It with such talent" began the VIZ
s. master, your total of successes
IS Let me save your voice" int
g posed the Corsican blandly. "Ye
Y would remind me that where ende
5 in failure at that very spot you begs
with success. But would remind yt
that any town is Waterloo where w
terloo is found
If "a ghostly warning" said the vi
It master, laughing. He had risen
g. if to end the interview. It was
c habit, and he did not realize his err
L. until he saw the Gorsican smiling at
r mo, not a warning" said the VII
10 tor. ut was idle chatter. mere word
10 But you see have the whole evenil
+ for my errand. Perhaps | expected
e. more cordial meeting. thought
lg be formal, as people were long ago"
:; sYou were not famed for formality
In suggested the war master.
Is Il had no time for II" returned &