Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1916-09-27

mystery he took the word out
OF her mouth-"shall we say rather
the mystery OF General Jacques" he
corrected her politely.
"Oh. you are"
"A friend of Francel And
your passwordT' He waited for her
to supply the mystic word.
"Courvoisierr she said in low
voice.
"Goodr' he exclaimed with satisfac-
ton. THE other day to General
Jacques at the fort you offered your
services for France" he ventured.
"Yesr"
HE wishes now to take advantage
of your offer"
II 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"
ut 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.
But last night. while the others slept.
we have strung a 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.
Il have beneath my coat a tele-
phone" he continued hurriedly. "If
madame viii be good enough to change
places with me and keep watch, while
connect the instrument, the affair
will be simple"
"Of course" Ethel respcT ded.
The Frenchman stole to tine 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.
can is well?" he called in a low
voice. as his deft fingers twisted the
ends of the wire.
at is DONE" the little man declared.
He quickly brushed a 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"
7 -, IL scl.o 81 Oh
"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 or. have signaled that the con-
nectioG is made"
81 Understandable you may depend
| Oh me-" she promised.
And he had already reached the door
to take his departure when he came to
sudden halt Now may | ask you
are Madame de Lordei" he inquired in
his quaint English.
"Yesv'
Now it is perhaps best that you be
told" he continued. Before
you came a 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 Redmondw she exclaimed
in a low voice.
Ssh-ssh-madameT he warned her.
at was he" be whispered.
as he here?" she asked eagerly.
HE could not wait. He must re-
turn to his work." he enlightened her.
But what was be doing here?" she
demanded in alarm.
The little Frenchman waved her to
nearby chair.
mot so close, madamer' 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. ut is
his plan"
Ills plant 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 tone of vast thankfulness.
Her fellow-spy smiled at that-a
happy smile.
II am glad I have told you" he
said. 81 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 Larryr' Ethel murmured
softly.
1t was Etheps turn to warn him
then. For a door opened. Henry
Christophc had returned.
Good day. m'sieu!" the little man
said cheerfully. And he departed.
"Ah, madame! Dinner is readyw
Christophe announced TO Ethel "And
where is the American gentleman"
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 it to be served at
just the proper moment.
II sayw Mr.. Brown exclaimed. 81
just happened to glance out of my win
as,