The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1916-12-08


proudly.
"Whatg' Streetman exclaimed. And
he FASTENED to examine the find. "Oh,
hoI What's this?" he asked.
Henri Christophe was no less sur
prised than the others. He took the in
strument from Otto and turned it over
-curiously.
"Why, m'sieu-it is telephone" he
said with an air Of the utmost mystifi-
cation.
II know, know-but what Is it do
ing therey Streetman asked imperi-
ously.
81 do not know, m'sieu," Christophe
stammered. In flash he saw that
things looked very black for himself.
"Why did you hide it?' Already
Streetman had found him guilty.
81 did not hide it, m'sieu!'
An inspiration seized Streetman
then. And he took the telephone into
his own hands
"Who are youY he asked in French,
speaking directly into the transmitter.
The fellow received an immediate
reply. And he said to his men in the
next breath, 1T was a Frenchman who
spokei That telephone leads to the
French. 1t is the work of spy" And
then Streetman ordered Otto's comrade
Hans to ask Major Won Brenig to re-
turn.
Poor Henri Christophe forgot all
about his simple menu. He stood there,
crestfallen. The whole affair was too
much for his befogged brain.
"You were warned against any at
tempt to communicate with the en-
emy," Streetman said.
81 never saw that telephone before"
Cbristophe declared.
''Don't lie to me! You put 1t therew
az swear to you" The innkeeper
held both his hands aloft as he pro-
claimed his innocence. But his pro-
testations had no effect upon the In
dignant Streetman. The man seemed
absolutely relentless, inhuman.
You are either French spy or har-
boring spy under your roof" he told
Christophe. at is an act Of enmity to
us. You must pay the penalty at once"
"On my honor I have done nothing
absolutely nothingy' Henri Christophe
cried. Even In that moment his thoughts
were upon his daughter Jeanne rather
than upon himself. He was afraid
for her.
sour proclamations have told you
what to expect" Streetman snarled.
1T will be good warning to the 9TH
ers," he added grimly.
The Belgian innkeeper stared at him
as If in trance.
Before God, am innocentp' he as
serted.
The callous Streetman paid not the
slightest heed to his denials. In a most
brisk and businesslike manner he COM
manded the corporal to call in the
guard and make ready firing squad
against the wall outside" he said.
Then little Jeanne Christophe opened
one of the doors timidly. Some errand
had necessitated her entering the room.
And when she saw her fathers ashen
face it needed little intuition to tell her
that there was some tragedy impend-
ing. With low cry she sprang to her
fathers side.
my father-my father-what is itf''
she asked him.
81, is a spy" Streetman said con-
temptuously.
'Non, non, m'sieur' she cried.
"Wait! Come here!'' he or
dered her roughly. And Henri Chris
topic whispered to her to obey. "You
have seen that telephone before?"
Streetman inquired. Already the cor
poral had returned with four men,
bearing rifles.
mo, no! Never in all my life" the
girl walled. :.
Your father hid it there" he in
sisted.
mon, non, m'sieuv' she said with all
the vehemence she could muster.
Enough Of talkingr' Streetman said
with cruel glance at her white face.
''Take him outg' he ordered the cor
poral.
For one brief moment father and
daughter clasped each other in last
embrace.
..It is the end, my little Jeanne!
Good-by! Pray for met" Henri Chris
topic said brokenly. And in that in
slant new dignity came to him-a
dignity such Is must have clothed the
ancient martyrs, or that later tragic
figure. for whom his own daughter was
named-Jeanne d'Arc-when the SUI
preme summons overlook them. at is.
all over, ma petite" he repeated. And
then he drew himself up to his fullest
height and looked at his unyielding
judge unfiinchingly. II am innocent,
m'sieu" he said.
Those were, the last words that Henri
Christophe spoke.
Henry Streetman made gesture of
impotence. The scene bored him.
Jeanne Christophe burst into a wild
torrent of words. Alternately she adj
dressed Streetman and her father.