New-York tribune., 1916-11-26
A Story of a Spy

emn. as in a church. But in the branches there
was slight rustlng as if the priest was turn
ing leaf in the prayer book and, with his out
stretched arms, was stroking the silver frlnges
Of the altar cloth. Many times he stopped and
listened for footsteps, but it was silent all
about. He could, in fact, hardly notice the
sound of his moving snowshoes.
Suddenly he heard rustling, whispering
and a stamping. Something black and un-
formed seemed pushing through the wood. he
gazed ixedly at it, holding his breath. Inc
wind blew sharp in his face and penetrated ms
thin clothing But he felt neither the wind
nor the cold He crouched and covered in the
darkness.
There was sound now of steps behind him,
but he did not hear it. He was staring into the
night.
They must be soldiers
He was seized roughly by the shoulder and
turned around. A dazzling light was thrown
in his face. Frightened and blinded, he closed
his eyes.
"They are Russians" it flashed through his
mind. He struggled rebelliously under his
cautor's grip. He summoned all his courage,
all his strength, and Strengthened himself up.
(Which is the way to C-7" weak voice
asked him.
He opened his eyes and saw tall, slender
man before him. Under the black fur cap
pair of good-natured eyes twinkled.
The boy saw by the shining shoulder straps
that it was an officer who was questioning him.
He tried to keep his self-control. Not in vain
had he read his Indian stories not in vain had
he played old Sutherland. With bold gesture
he pointed in the wrong direction.
The officer drew out map. Then Engel-
bert utilized the opportunity swung around
and started running through the sheltering
woods Some bullets flew over his head. They
lodged in the ice-covered trees and broke off
twigs and branches.
Running downhill, Engelbert flew past the
Russian column. Uninjured, he reached the
opposite valley. With few more strides he
was on the road leading to C. Near the
first houses a German outpost challenged him.
Stumblingly he explained what he had come
for, and man from the double outpost took
him to the inner guard. A young sergeant,
with broad scars on his cheeks, listened TO him
attentively and wrote down his message. Then
he offered Engtber hot coffee and piece OF
bread
The boy fell asleep sitting there. But they
gave him no chance to sleep. He was taken
to the district commander and was asked to
tell over again what he knew. The other
listened eagerly, asked here and there point
ed question and then talked with his adtutaot.
"Poor little fellow" whispered the major.
"He evidently misunderstood. We can de-
pend absolutely on the forester"
"It might have been his father" suggested
the adjutant
The major gave look Of surprise.
1T may be possible, Wendhorst."
Again he questioned the boy, who squatted
shyly on the edge of chair. The latter an
swered freely and fully.
"You are probably right, Wendhorst," said
the major sadly. "How horriblel"
He walked a couple Of times across the
room Then he gave his orders, brief and curt
"Can you show US the way back, my boy!'
he asked in friendly tone.
81 think can, Mr.. Officer"
"very we'll young man. Rest here little
while. We shall start in half an hour"
=, still alarm went through the village. The
outposts were reinforced The bulk of the
troops made a detour about the mountain, so
as to take the enemy in the rear. Couriers and
adjutants rushed hither and thither. But the
snow deadened all the noise. Nothing was to
be heard when they started but the creaking
of the harness and the snorting Of the horses.
Engelbert trailed along, clinging TO the
majors stirrup.
But the advance was slow, very slow.
Soon it was midnight.