Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1916-11-30
OF any description 2"

None, m'sieu.''
you have no telephoneT
''None, N 'sieu.''
Major Won Brenig wheeled about
then, and waved his hand at some
large placards which his men had al
ready fastened to the walls of the
room.
Now, my friend, you see those proc
lamations:" he inquired.
Yes, m'sieu."
at is well that you heed them" the
officer said sternly. "If there is any
attempt at communication with the
enemy, if there is any attack on our
men by civilians from this house or
any other house, the inn Qtes Of that
house, together with the mayor of your
town, whom we hold as hostage, will
all be shot. It is a warning to others.
/. We do not wish to do these
things, but this is war, and we must
protect ourselves. You under
stand?"
Perfectly, SIR" said Henri Chris
topic
''We shall take what supplies we
need" the major continued, "but any
officer or man who refuses to pay you
a just price, you will report to me,
and he will be punished If you de-
mand an unjust price, you will be pun
ished."
Yes, 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 a hasp and pad
lock. And with characteristic German
thoroughness he at once desired to
solve the mystery.
"Wait! What's this?" he demanded.
"OnIy the entrance to the wine Gel
Tart" Christophe told him.
"Open itr'
Eyes, m'sieu.'' Henri Christophe
stopped and unlocked the heavy pad
lock. VOLTA, 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. 1t
will be excellent for tonight
Christophe had started to close the
trap when the major halted him again.
rs 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 preIiminares, Major Won
Brenig addressed himself to Larry
Redmond, who all this time had been
a silent onIooker to the proceedings.
"Ah! You must be Captain Karl"
he said.
Eyes, Herr Majory" Larry answered.
81 was told that you had only just
reported-your papers said on some
special mission. Can I be Of assist
ance?"
II 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.
81 thank you, Herr Major. Auf vie
dersehenr' 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 vaIu,
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.
"Goodr" the older officer said. "Now
1 shall go to my room and change my
boots. I have not had them off fol
over a week"
''You have not questioned the French
lady or the American" the lieutenant
reminded him.
81 shall leave that to you and Ser
geant Schmidt" the major replied.
It was only a few minutes before
Lieutenant Baum had summoned Ethe
before him. He asked her name.
81 am Madame de Lorde," she told
him.
GA Frenchwoman?" he inquired.
| eyes, m'sieu."
He regarded her narrowly.
"You are perhaps a woman spy
they say the French have many spies
I must search you," he announced, tx
her CONSERVATION.
ooh, monsieur, may I speak private
" with you?" she begged him.
''WeIl, what is it?'
''Only I wish to show you some
thing"
'What trick is this?" he asked witt
asperity.
But Ethel only smiled at his gruf
ness. Lieutenant Baum was a good
looking chap.
"Surely you are not afraid Of me
one little wO-nanw she said archly.