The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1916-06-30

He was surprised to see that It was
In cipher. Not feeling at liberty to
send a cipher message, the operator
laid 1t aside. When Caspar cameagain
to inquired If 1t had been sent and was
told that 1t was held because It was
In cipher Caspar looked so disappoint-
ed and begged so hard that 1t be put
over the wires that his friend promised
to do so, though he feared trouble
would result. Caspar assured him that
there was nothing I'm the dispatch that
would be Of the slightest injury to
France, and this turned the scale.
M. Larrabee, deputed to examine tel
egrams received in Paris. was sitting
at his desk when an operator handed
him Caspar's dispatch. The moment
he read the name Of the person to
whom 1t was addressed and noticed
that the message was In cipher his
face assumed the expression Of one
who had unearthed an announcement
to German sympathizers that Paris
was about to be attacked by hundred
Zeppelins.
"Mille tonerresv he exclaimed. HAS
1t come to this? Do the enemy send
cipher messages to their spies In
Paris over our telegraph lines? To
Nine. Kneiblitz, 81 Rue Pomponier.
Could there be better evidence that
this message is intended for one Of the
horde of German spies in our midst,
who are watching our every act?"
Taking up telephone receiver, he
called up the officer in charge of the
military. telegraph and informed him
Of the message, stating that he did not
doubt that it had been surreptitiously
sent in the expectation that it would
be delivered by some one in the tele-
graph department who was working
secretly in the German interest. Colo
mel Bombardier, the officer telephoned.
directed that the dispatch be sent to
him and, after receiving and examin-
ing 1t. called a council Of war to de-
eide what to do In the premises.
When the council assembled experts
in interpreting cipher kilograms were
introduced and began the work of
translating It. This was not easy to
do, for 1t consisted in certain SEN
fences which doubtless had a meaning
for the receiver. However, the ex-
perts, not daring to acknowledge that
they could make nothing Of It, gave a
possible translation, admitting that
they could not vouch for its correct
ness. The meaning they placed upon
1t was that It announced a meeting OF
the German spies In Paris to receive
one high in the German secret service.
Meanwhile Hortense was arrested
and taken to Colonel Bombardier's Of
fee, where she was kept In an ante
room awaiting the result Of the work
Of the experts. In time she was called
In to face an array Of men who looked
ready to send her to the gallows.
Frau Kneiblitz," said the colonel.
do you speak French?"
81 don't speak any other language"
was the meek reply.
"Do not try to deceive me. You are
German, as your name indicates. A
dispatch In cipher addressed to you
has been intercepted. 1t is an an
nouncement that an officer of high
rank in the German secret service Is
coming to Paris to meet the spy corps
in Paris"
This was said because II It were
the true Interpretation Of the dispatch
the young woman would likely COL
lapse. She did no such thing. She
simply looked at her accusers wonder
ingly.
"Who is Caspar?" asked the colonel
severely.
Monsieur. he Is my husband. Has
anything happened to him?" she asked,
paling.
you play your part well. but 1t will
not serve"
"Have you n dispatch from him to
me? Oh, give 1t to me!'
After conference it was decided to
read the dispatch aloud to her. The
colonel began with the first sentence,
"The weather is very fine," and asked
her what It meant. She did not need
the key to tell him; she knew it by
heart.
81 am WELL" she replied.
The second sentence read was. Eyes.
terday 1t was hot"
Hortense, somewhat abashed, re.
piled. Sweetheart, love you"
The members of the council looked
ut one another incredulously.
Again, 1--WE are expecting cooler
weather tomorrow"
'That means a thousand KISSES" re-
piled the bride. dropping her eyes to
the floor.
'"This climate is trying"
81 shall never see you again till
France is victorious"
"The mud is very deep"
"Goodby, sweetheart. I shall love
you forever"
Several Of the men who had been
impressed with Hortense's gentleness,
honesty and, above all, that she was
essentially French smiled. Colonel
Bombardier's countenance assumed
shamefaced expression. He stood with
the dispatch in his hand wondering
what next to do.
Colonel" said one of the council,
you've struck what they call in Amer
lea a mares nest"
1.-THE case" said the colonel, main
tanning nm official foOa ssuri1l no hot.