Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1916-10-25
CHAPTER XVII.
A wall-and a Firing Squad.

A Wali--snd Firing Squad.
AS the door closed behind the ser
geant aud his prey. Streetman turned
to Major Won Brenig.
1.-THE damned Americans. we shall
have trouble with them yet" he as
serted.
Il hope not. They are not bad peo-
pie" the more moderate major replied
''Oh, major-have my English clothes
my civilian clothes-arriyed from
Berlin?" Streetman asked
Yes. They are upstairs with my
kit
Good! Then can start tonight for
the British trenches" the spy ex-
claimed.
The older man looked at him some
what obviously.
You think then that your plan to
be captured by the English will sue
ceed?"
at must succeed. This is a map of
their positions" He drew a paper from
his breast pocket and unfolded it. The
very keystone to their entrenchments!'
he exuted. 1T will be here at trench
27"-Streetman made mark upon the
map-"it will be here that shall be
found" he said.
Trench 27p' Won Brenig repeated
Yes! l shall be skulking around
and be taken prisoner. Then shall
give the English false information
about a surprise attack that will en-
able you to break through their lines
and smash them!'
splendid! Splendidw Won Brenig
cried. by the way" he added. as an
important detail came into his mind
"a man arrived here this afternoon
from the Wilhelmstrasse ON a special
mission"
yes? Who is hep
a Captain Karlr' Major Won Brenig
said. you know him."
NO! And must meet him."
You don't suspect"
'No. nor Streetman assured him.
"At the Wilhelmstrasse few of us know
one another; still we cannot be too
careful"
HE dimes with u.s." the major ex-
planned.
"And then we shah look him over"
Streetman said with satisfaction.
'Auf wiedersehenr' And Major Won
Brenig went to his room, congratulate
ing himself the while upon the fact
that he had so resourceful an assistant
in that able young officer from the Will
helmstrasse.
Henry Streetman lighted cigarette,
tossing the still blazing match into the
fireplace. And he had not waited long
before Henri Christophe appeared.
Major Won Brenig wishes to dine at
once" the spy told him. How soon
can you be ready?"
In fifteen minutes, m'sieu."
Good! There will be three of US
Major Won Brenig. myself and Captain
Karl"
yes, m'sieu" Henri had already
turned to hurry back to the kitchen
when a bright blaze in the fireplace
met his astonished eyes. 1t was en-
tirely too warm an afternoon for a fire
Only mailman would have built one.
why. what is that?" he exclaimed.
Il lit a cigarette" Streetman said.
81 threw my match there" And to one
of the soldiers he added, Put it out
at once!''
The man Otto hurried to the fire
place.
Yes, yes. m'sieu! 1t is nothing,
Only some tree branches-it can do no
harm" the innkeeper protested.
In the meantime Otto had extin-
guished the blaze. He had crawled
bodily inside the great opening of the
fireplace, TO make sure that be did his
work thoroughly. And now he emerged.
sooty but triumphant. bearing some
continuance in his arms.
Here is telephoner' he announced
proudly.
WHAT Streetman exclaimed. And
he FASTENED TO examine the find. ooh.
no. What's this ?" he asked.
Henri Christophe was no less sur
prised than the others. He took the in
strument from Otto and turned it over
curiously.
Why, m'sieu-it is telephone" he
said with an air of the utmost mystifi-
cation.
u know, know-but what is II do |
ing there?" Streetman asked imperi- |
ously.
Il do not know, m'sieu." Christophe !
stammered. In a fash be saw that |
things looked very black for himself.
why did you hide it," Already |
Streetman had found him guilty.
81 did not hide it. m'sleur7
An inspiration seized Streetman /
then. And he took the telephone into /
bis own hands.
"who are you:" be asked in French.
speaking directly into the transmitter.
The fellow received an immediate |
reply. And he said TO his men In the
neat breath, 1T was a Frenchman who
spoke. That telephone leads to the