Iron County news. [volume] (Hurley, Wis.) 1913-1950, 1916-10-07

II.
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
curiousy.
why, m'sieu--it is a telephone" he
said with an air of the utmost mystif-
cation.
Il know, know-but what is it do
ing there" Streetman asked imperi-
ously.
Il do not know, m'sieu." Christophe
stammered. In a fash he saw that
things looked very black for himself
\''Why did you hide it?" Already
Streetman had found him guilty.
Il did not hide it, m'steu!"
An inspiration seized Streetman
then. And he took the telephone into
his own hands.
who are yOu?" he asked in French,
speaking directly into the transmitter
The fellow received an immediate
reply. And he said to his men in the
next breath, 1T was a Frenchman who
spoke! That telephone leads to the
French. 1t is the work of a spy" And
then Streetman ordered Otto's comrade
Hals to ask Major Won Brenig to re-
turn.
Poor Henri Christopbe forgot all
about his simple menu. He stood there,
crestfallen. The whole affair was too
much for his befogged brain.
You were warned against any at
tempt to communicate with the en-
envy" Streetman said
81 never saw that telephone before"
Christophe declared.
Don't lie to me! You put it therev
Il swear to you" The innkeeper
held both his hands aloft as he pro-
claimed his innocence. But his pro
testatiOns had no effect upon the i'll
diSnant Streetman. The man seemed
absolutely relentless, inhuman.
You are either a French spy or har-
boring spy under your roof" he told
Christophe. 1T is an act Of enmity to
us. You must pay the penalty at once"
son my honor I have done nothing
absolutely nothing" Henri Christophe
cried. Even in that moment his thoughts
We're upon his daughter Jeanne rather
than upon himself. He was afraid
for her.
Our procIamations have told YOU
what to expect" Streetman snarled.
1T will be a good warning to the 9th
ers,' he added grimly.
The Belgian innkeeper stared at him
as if in a trance.
Before God, l am Innocent" he as
serted.
The callous Streetman paid not the
slightest heed to his denials In a most
brisk and businesslike manner he com
| manded the corporal to call in the
guard and make ready a firing squad
against the wall outside" he said.
Then little Jeanne Christophe opened
one of the doors timidly. Some errand
had necessitated her entering the room
And when she saw her fathers ashen
face IT needed little intuition to tell her
that there was some tragedy impend-
ing. With low cry she sprang to her
| fathers side.
My father-my father-what is it?"
she asked him.
Fl is spy" streetman said CON
temptuously.
Non, non, m'sieuv she cried.
wait! Come herew he or
dered her roughly. And Henri Chris
topic whispered to her to obey. You
have seen that telephone before?"
Streetman inquired Already the cor
poral had returned with four men.
bearing rifles.
"No, no! Never in all my life" the
girl walled
Your father hid it there" he in
sisted.
Non, non. m'sieur she said with all
the yeaemeEce she could muster.
Enough of talkingw streetman said
with crrel glance at her white face
Take him out"' he ordered the cor
poral
For one brief moment father and
daughter clasped each other in a last
emorace.
ut Is the end. my little Jeanne!
! Good-by! Pray for me-" Henri Chris
tophe said brokealy. And in that in-
| slant new dignity came to him-a
dignity such as must have clothed the
ancient martyrs, or that later tragic
figure, for whom his own daughter was
named-Jeanne d'Arc-when the SUI
preme summons overlook them. 1T is
all over, ma petite" he repeated, And
then he drew himself up 10 his fullest
height and looked at his unylelclng
Judge unfilnchingly. Il am innocent,
Ii sieu" he said.
Those were the last words that Henri
Christophe spoke.
Henry Streetman made a gesture Of
impotence. The scene bored him.
Jeanne Christoyhe burst into a wild
torrent Of words Alternately she al
dressed StreetE an and her father
NO, no, no." she shrieked. a : II she
could not have that frightful thing
that suosity-happen. "Oh, m'sieu,
For thy. love OF God, Ny IA
Their I pray You. NJ.
no. He IS my father love
thee I ,ove thee she sobbe2
oh nI ~ieu--T beg you