The Clio messenger. (Clio, Mich.) 1907-current, 1916-10-27
"A friend OF Francel


"COurvOisier!' she said I'm n low
voice.
"Good" he exclaimed with satisfac-
ton. THE other day to General
Jacques at the fort you offered your
services for France" he ventured.
"Yes."
"He wishes now to take advantage
of your offer"
81 am ready" she answered quietly.
He proceeded swiftly to the bust
ness in hand.
1.-THE Germans will be here tonight,
and here the road forks, one turn to
the right, the other to the left-you
know?"
1T Is important, the general says,
that he should know which road the
Germans take-whence comes the at
tack. You are to inform him
by telephone"
"But they will cut the wires" Ethel
objected.
"All that they can find" he agreed.
we have strung wire from the fort
to-that chimney" BY the merest nod
he indicated the huge fireplace that
projected into the ROOM
"Here? she exclaimed.
He bowed.
II have beneath my coat tele-
phone" he continued hurrielly. IF
madame will be good enough to change
places with me and keep watch, while
/ connect the instrument, the affair
will be simple"
"Of course!" Ethel responded.
The Frenchman stole to the fireplace
and crept inside the wide opening.
And while his head and shoulders
vanished momentarily up the chimney
he busted himself with his work of at
taching the instrument to the dangling
wire within.
"All is well?" he called in a low
voice. as his deft fingers twisted the
ends of the wire.
1T is DONE" the little man declared.
He quickly brushed few clinging
particles of SCOT from his sleeves.
THE telephone is in the far corner"
he explained, beneath some tree
branches. 1t cannot be SEEN"
;'And what am to do?" she asked.
"At the earliest possible moment
after the Germans arrive and you
have found out which road they take,
call on that instrument. An officer
will be waiting every moment from
now on. have signaled that the con-
nection is made"
81 UNDERSTANDABLE you may depend
on me-" she promised.
And he had already reached the door
to take his departure when he came to
are Madame de Lorde?" he inquired In
his quaint English.
"Yesw
"Now it is perhaps best that you be
told" he continued. Before
you came gentleman in the service
of your country, a gentleman who met
you in Brussels-he ask for you"
Ethel started at his announcement.
And she drew nearer to him.
Captain Redmond!' she exclaimed
in low voice.
Ssh-ssh-madamew he warned her.
at was be-" he whispered.
els he here?" she asked eagerly.
"He could not wait. He must re-
turn to his work." he enlightened her.
"But what was he doing here?" she
demanded in alarm.
The little Frenchman waved her to
nearby chair.
Not so close, madamew he begged.
She sat down obediently.
what was he doing here?" she
asked
He came to arrange about the tel
ephone." the fellow told her. at is
his plan"
His plan! Then he will come
back"
HE could not be certain, madame"
But he's alive, and we'll" She
could hardly wait for his answer.
Eyes, madame. quite So"
"Oh. thank Godw Ethel murmured,
In a tone Of vast thankfulness.
Her fellow-spy smiled at that-a
happy smile.
"I am glad l have told you," he
said. Il had thought perhaps it was
an affair of the heart. He had the
look. And now, madame, for
what you will do permit me to thank
you. 1t is for France"
And for Larryw Ethel murmured
softly.
1t was Ethel's turn to warn him
then. For a door opened. Henry
Christophe had returned.
"Good day, m'sieuW the little man
said cheerfully. And he departed.
"Ah. madame! Dinner Is readyw
Christophe announced to Ethel. "And
where is the American gentlemanY
81 fancy he will be here directly"
she told him.
"Ah, good. good! But we must not
spoil the chicken" he said. He had
taken especial pains with that chick
en-, and he wished 1t to be served at
just the proper mon,,-nr.
IT sayw Mr.. Brown exclaimed. at
just happened to glance out Of my win