The Clio messenger. (Clio, Mich.) 1907-current, 1916-11-24
a nashIight from his pocket and crept

a hashlight from his pocket and crept
down the steps as he talked. "Waitv'
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
itp' he exclaimed Selightedly. He was
still standing upon the cellar floor.
1.-The lights shining in your face! Look!
Can you see meT' he asked.
"No. no! The light blinds me. I
can't see you at all!' she told him.
He came,up quickly then.
"Good--good! Now listen! =.
II somebody pecked 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
| fashight had listened to his plans.
"Yes--yes-I believe they would"
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 here" He
led her behind the cigar counter, for
he had suddenly abandoned his previ-
Gus notion Of conceallng her in the adj
| joining room. go and hide!' he di-
rected And she crouched low in the
shadow Of the counter. "Ah! God is
good to the Irish' he exuted. "Have
you q rcvolver?
"Yes, Larryw She produced small,
nickeled weapon.
He took it from her.
"'Tis rather toy" he said But
I suppose it will shoot. Then don't let
the sound of shot frighten you into
screaming. I've got to give myself a
bit Of flesh wound just in the hand"
"No, no" she exclaimed in increased
alarm.
with this it can be only a scratch, >"
hide. Now, here goes,"
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 wounded!'
Lieutenant Baum cried.
"'Tis nothing" Larry replied. And
he proceeded to bandage his bloody
hand with handkerchief
Others Joined the startled knot Of
Germans-among the newcomers, Ma
jor Won Brenig.
"The spy-the woman spy-where
Is she?" he asked.
Larry told him that the woman had
escaped.
The major swore roundly ut that.
And then Larry explained that she
had suddenly produced a revolver and
shot him. Before l 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 devilv' he shouted.
And at the same time Larry warned
him to be careful.
"She must have one of our pocket
flashlights" he said what target
it made Of you, major! And in the
dark you could not see her. could you?"
Nor Won Brenig admitted. "And
she can pick off our men one by one
as they go down unless we rush her."
Larry closed the door quickly.
IF l 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 ~
"Why not leave her there forever?'
Won Brenig asked. He was, above
everything, practical man.
"'Tis better still-'tis just fate for
spy" Larry agreed.
"Baum-run a bayonet through the
hasp!" the major ordered The paddock
had fallen into the cellar UNDECIDED
when Larry first opened the trap.
Later you will make the fastening
permanent" Won Brenig said.