Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1916-09-13
CHAPTER x.-Contlnued.


Streetman waited until the butler
had withdrawn before he so much as
spoke to her. Then he faced her ex-
pectantly.
did you see Sir George?" he de-
manded-almost threatenlngly, 1t
seemed to Ethel
'Yes"' she replied quietly, though
her every nerve was strung taut to
meet the call upon her woman's
strategy.
"The feet-did you find out about
the fleet?" He could not get the words
out of his mouth fast enough.
YES! After what you said, what
else could do?"
"Quite sou He made no attempt to
conceal his insolence. HAS it sailed?"
he asked her impatiently.
Eyes"
where did it go? Quick, tell me"
By word and look both he menaced
her.
"The usual routiner' she said non
ehalantly. at just split up into its
various squadrons-the Mediterranean.
Baltic, Black sea, South American
fleets, and so on: and they've gone to
their customary destinations"
"Sir George told you that?" The
news was almost too good to be be-
lieved.
Yes; and be never suspected I was
the least bit interested"
The old foolr' He told himself that
Sir George was no better than dotard.
With such as he composing the English
admiralty the spy was sure that Ger
many had nothing to fear from the
British lion. That much-vauated ami
mails teeth seemed effectually drawn.
What news with you?" Ethel asked
him, innocently enough, so far as
Streetman noticed.
II have had none direct from
France" he said, never dreaming that
the time was past when he might de-
ceive her by that little fiction of his,
but war has come" he added. "Of
that am sure"
And England-will she enter into
itg' she pressed him.
with her fleet dispersed she will
not dare" he rejoined with a faint
smile of satisfaction.
"For the sake of France, your coun-
try, that is a pity" Ethel pointed out.
With her former doubts REINFORCED
by the revelation of Larry's tale she
could easily pick flaws, now, in Street
mans acting.
"Eh? Oh, yes, of course-yesw he
FASTENED to assent. 81 must get the
news at once to France" he said; and
Immediately he started toward the
doorway But the girl said something
then that brought him up sharply
something that he was far from ex-
pecting. at that moment when he
seemed at last to hold her more secure
lsthan ever before.
ITO Germany you meanr' she cor
rected him. Quiet as was her tome the
words seemed to him fairly to stab the
air.
"WhatT' he exclaimed.
"Oh, Henry, how can you think me
so very stupid?"
"You are mad!' he parted. 81 am
loyal to France"
"You tell me that" she scoffed,
when here, little while ago, in all
your talk you showed how strongly
you sided with Prussia. Just now you
were delighted that the English feet
had dispersed. To a Frenchman that
would be bad news; but German
would take it as you have done. You
ale in the service of the Wilhelm
strasse-a true Teuton, and I've been
quite blind not to realize it before"
Streetman looked positively danger
GUS as he faced her threateningly. At
last he was at bay. But still he had no
thought of confessing the part that be
was playing.
And to what use do you intend put
ting your absurd accusations?" he de.
manded.
'None-none at ALL" she said care
Iessly, with just a slight shrug of her
dne shoulders. 81 merely wanted you
20 know that know
ooh. is that all? | thought you were
trying TO threaten ne" he answered.
more than puzzled by Der attitude.
my dear, why should 1 do that?
You edll love me; and now that I've
learned about the feet, you still mean
next week to arrange matters with
-FOUR people to announce our mar
Rage"
''Of course, OF courser' he broke in
apon her hurriedly. He had forgotten,
sor the moment, all about that plausi-
bic promise Of his. As matters stood
On the continent he had thought ii
more than likely that another week
would find him out Of England for
rood. But now he congratulated him
IeIf that he had made her that prom