The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1916-11-24

protect ourselves. You under
standY'
Perfectly. sir" said Henri Chris.
topic.
eve shall take what supplies we
need" the major continued, "but any
officer or man who refuses to pay you
just price, you win report to me
and he will be punished. If you de
mand an unjust price, you will be pun
ished."
Eyes, m'sieu."
The subdued innkeeper had already
started to leave the room when the
officers keen eye caught sight of some
thing that Immediately interested him
At his feet he noticed hasp and pad
lock. And with characteristic German
thoroughness he at once desired to
solve the mystery.
"Wait! What's this?" he demanded
"Only the entrance to the wine eel
lar" Christophe told him.
"Open ity'
stopped and unlocked the heavy pad
lock. "Voila, m'sieur' he exclaimed
as he lifted the trapdoor.
"Goodv' said the major as he
peered into the dark cavern. Later
on you will bring up some wine. II
will be excellent for tonight"
Christophe had started to close the
trap when the major halted him again
SIS there any outlet to the cellar
save this?' he asked thoughtfully.
"None, m'sieu."
Baum" said the major, "make sure
he Is telling the truth-that no one
could escape that way"
Lieutenant Baum saluted, and, de
taching a fashlight from his belt he
descended the steps that led into the
cellar.
"Now you may go cook dinner" the
major told the innkeeper.
Once rid of preliminaries, Major vor
Brenig addressed himself to Larry
Redmond, who all this time had beer
silent onlooker to the proceedings
"Ah! You must be Captain Karl
he said.
Eyes, Herr Majorw Larry answered
81 was told that you had only just
reported your papers said on some
special mission. Can be of assist.
ance?1
81 thank you, major; but at the mo
ment there is nothing" Larry told
him.
perhaps you will dine with me?"
Major Won Brenig said. He was a hos
pitable man. And he understood that
Captain Karl was held in high esteem
by his superiors.
II thank you, Herr Major. Auf vie
dersehenw Larry replied. And he
walked to the door. He was not keen
to dine with the German officer, and
face his frankly scrutinizing eyes. and
perhaps have embarrassing questions
fired at him. But he saw no decent
way Of declining. And there was al
ways the chance that such mingline
with enemy officers might yield valu
able information. If he should be
caught-well! that was all in the game
Lieutenant Baum, returning from
the wine cellar, announced that he had
discovered no opening other than the
one furnished by the trapdoor in the
floor.
"Goodv" the older officer said. "Now
shall go to my room and change my
boots. have not had them of fol
over a week"
"You have not questioned the French
lady or the American" the Lieutenant,
reminded him.
~ shall leave that to you and Ser
geant Schmidt" the major replied.
1t was only few minutes before
Lieutenant Baum had summoned Ethel
before him. He asked her name.
st am Madame de Lorde," she told
him.
ga Frenchwoman?" he inquired.
eyes, m'sleu."
He regarded her narrowly.
"You are perhaps a woman spy
they say the French have many spies
must search you," he announced. to
her CONSERVATION.
ION, monsieur, may l speak private
~ with you?" she begged him.
"Well, what is it?"
"Only / wish to show you some
thing"
"what trick is this?' he asked with
asperlty.
But Ethel only smiled at his grufr,
ness. Lieutenant Baum was a good
looking chap.
"Surely you are not afraid of me-
one little woman she said archly.
"And very pretty womanT' His
hand sought his mustache again.
"Well, what is it, madameY
Ethel drew him slightly to one side.
All but three of the infantrymen bill.
Ieted upon Henri Christophe had with
drawn. But the remaining guard was
all eyes and ears for this cross-exami-
nation Of possible spy.
49, -.~-n H~~-shIo alas Z