The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1916-12-15

81
a fiashIight from his pocket ana crept
down the steps as he talked. "Waitg'
he said. And in another moment he
had so placed the light at the foot Of
the stairs that it's beams shot upward
through the opening. That's It, that's
it!' he exclaimed delightedly. He was
stIll standing upon the cellar floor.
'sThe lights shining in your facet LookI
Can you see me?'' he asked.
'ANo, no! The light blinds me.
can't see you at allv' she told him.
He came up quickly then.
'Good-goodl Now Iisteni !.
n somebody peeked down there.
wouldn't they think desperate wom-
an was standing at the foot Of these
stairs waitin' to shoot the first man
who tried to come DOWN.
Ethel stood there in the glare OF the
flashlight had listened to his plans.
"Yes-yes-I believe they would y
she admitted, beginning to understand
his scheme.
"And that's what we've got to make
them believe. Now, hasten. darlin'-
hasten! ~. IT'S best herev' He
led her behind the cigar counter, for
he had suddenly abandoned his previ-
GUS notion of concealing her In the adj
joining room. "Go and hider' he di-
rected. And she crouched low in the
shadow of the counter. "Ah! God is
good to the Irishv' he exulted. slave
you a revolverW
"Yes, Larryy She produced small,
nickeled weapon.
He took it from her.
"'Tis rather toy" he said. "Bui
suppose it will shoot. Then don't lei
the sound Of shot brighten you into
screaming. I've got to give myself a
bit of flesh wound just in the hand"
"No, mop she exclaimed in increased
alarm.
with this 1t can be only a scratch, y
he said. "As soon as shoot, duck and
hide. Now, here goesy'
He shot himself In the right hand,
then handed the revolver back to Ethel
who Immediately huddled behind the
counter. Then Larry banged the trap.
door shut. And backing away from It
he waited for the men who as he knew
would soon come running in.
In another moment they burst upon
him.
Herr captain-you are woundedl''
Lieutenant Baum cried.
"'Tis nothing" Larry replied. And
he proceeded to bandage his bloody
hand with a handkerchief.
Others Joined the startled knot OF
Germansamong the newcomers, Ma.
jor Won Brenig.
1.-THE spy-the woman spy-where
Is she?" he asked.
Larry told him that the woman had
escaped.
The major swore roundly at that.
And then Larry explained that she
had suddenly produced a revolver and
shot him. Before I could draw my
own revolver she'd got away" he said
"She raised the trapdoor and went
down there" he continued, pointing to
the floor.
The major remembered that there
was no outlet to the wine cellar. And
without hesitation he raised the trap.
door, to face binding burst of light
He backed away quickly.
"What the devilT' he shouted.
And at the same time Larry warned
him to be careful.
"She must have one Of our pocket
flashlights" he said. "What a target
1t made Of you, major! And in the
dark you could not see her, could you? p
"No! Won Brenig admitted. sand
she can pick off our men one by one
as they go down unless we rush her.
Larry closed the door quickly.
'If may make so bold as to sug
gest-" he began; and seeing that the
major gave him permission to continue
he said, IF there is no way out Of the
cellar save that, why waste our men
when all we need is to leave her there
to starve-till there's no fight in her?'
'Whv not leave her there forever?''
Won Brenig asked. He was, above
everything, q practical man.
"Tis better still-'tis just fate for
spy" Larry agreed.
"Baum-run bayonet through the
hasp!" the major ordered. The paddock
had fallep into the cellar UNDECIDED
when Larry first opened the trap
later you will make the fastening
permanent" Won Brenig said.